Freelancer Rate Calculator
Calculate a sustainable freelance rate that covers your income goals, taxes, and expenses.
Rate Formula
Hourly Rate = Annual Need / Billable Hours
Annual Need = Income + Expenses + Taxes + Profit Buffer
Industry Rates (US, 2024)
| Web Developer | $75–$200/hr |
| Designer (UX/UI) | $50–$150/hr |
| Copywriter | $50–$200/hr |
| Marketing Consultant | $75–$250/hr |
| Data Scientist | $100–$300/hr |
FAQs
Start with your desired annual income, add taxes (25–35%), business expenses, and divide by billable hours. Many freelancers charge 2–3× their old employee hourly rate to account for no benefits, overhead, and non-billable time.
Most freelancers spend 40–60% of working hours on billable client work. The rest goes to admin, marketing, accounting, and business development. This is why your rate must be higher than an equivalent employee wage.