Freelance Rate Calculator
Tell us your income target, country, and how much time you actually bill, and get the hourly rate you need to charge to hit it. Accounts for tax, vacation, and overhead so you don't underprice yourself.
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Income target
Working pattern
Tax (advanced)
Your Rate Card
Independent Consultant
below this you lose money
vs. employment
Client budget checker
Market context - median freelance rates
| Role | Typical range (USD/hr) |
|---|---|
| Web Developer | $75 - $120 |
| Designer | $65 - $100 |
| Data Analyst | $70 - $110 |
| DevOps Engineer | $85 - $130 |
| Copywriter | $50 - $80 |
| Project Manager | $60 - $95 |
Approximate USD figures based on global platform averages. Rates vary significantly by region, niche, and experience level.
Why your freelance rate needs to be much higher than your employed salary
A common mistake: dividing your desired salary by 2,080 hours (52 weeks x 40 hrs). A £60,000/yr job works out to £28.85/hr employed - but a freelancer charging that rate would earn far less than £60k after self-employed tax, overhead, vacation time, and non-billable hours.
This calculator accounts for all four factors: your effective tax rate as a self-employed person (which includes employer-side contributions you now pay yourself), annual business overhead, weeks of vacation, and realistic billable utilization. The recommended rate adds a 20% buffer - essential for slow months, payment delays, and unexpected costs.
Learn more about freelance rates and tax
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate from a salary?
Divide your target annual take-home salary by your billable hours per year. Billable hours = working weeks per year × hours per week × utilization rate. Then add a buffer for self-employment tax (which can be 15-30% higher than employed tax), overhead costs, and desired profit margin.
What is a utilization rate for freelancers?
Utilization rate is the percentage of your working hours that are billable to clients. Most freelancers bill 60-75% of their working time - the rest goes to marketing, admin, proposals, and professional development. A 70% utilization rate on 40 hours per week = 28 billable hours.
What is a day rate and how does it compare to an hourly rate?
A day rate is simply your hourly rate multiplied by your standard working day length (typically 7-8 hours). Day rates are common for consulting, creative work, and technical contracts. Many clients prefer day rates as they simplify budgeting for projects that span multiple days.