Health Tool
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Input your desired annual salary, overhead expenses, and billable hours to calculate your ideal hourly rate.
Your targets
Your ideal rate
Charge at least
$74/hr
Monthly target
$8,854
Weekly target
$2,214
Billable hours/yr
1,440
Annual tax
$21,250
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your details
Fill in the required fields on the left.
- 2
Review the results
See your calculated results on the right.
Frequently asked questions about Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
- How do I calculate my hourly rate?
- Divide your desired annual income plus business expenses by your estimated annual billable hours.
- What are billable hours?
- Billable hours are the hours you spend working directly for paying clients.
- Should I include taxes?
- Yes. Freelancers should account for taxes when determining their target hourly rate.
- Why is my hourly rate higher than my salary equivalent?
- Freelancers must cover taxes, insurance, equipment, vacation time, and business expenses themselves.
- Should I charge hourly or per project?
- It depends on your services. Project pricing often rewards efficiency, while hourly pricing is useful for ongoing work.
- How many billable hours should I expect?
- Many freelancers average 20 to 30 billable hours per week after accounting for marketing and administration.
- Should I increase my rates over time?
- Yes. Regular rate reviews help account for experience, demand, and inflation.
- Can I use this calculator for consulting?
- Yes. Consultants, contractors, and freelancers can all use it.
- What expenses should I include?
- Consider software, equipment, insurance, taxes, office costs, marketing, and professional development.
- Does experience affect my rate?
- Yes. Specialists with proven expertise can often command significantly higher rates.