Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate your ideal freelance hourly rate based on desired income, expenses, taxes, and billable hours.
Your Hourly Rate
Freelance hourly rate must cover more than just your salary — it needs to include taxes, expenses, and non-billable time.
Hourly Rate = (Desired Income + Expenses + Taxes) / Billable Hours per Year
Key factors:
- Billable hours: Freelancers typically bill 60–70% of their work hours
- Self-employment tax: ~15.3% in the US (Social Security + Medicare)
- Business expenses: Software, insurance, equipment, office space
- Vacation/sick days: You do not get paid time off as a freelancer
Example: $80,000 desired income, $10,000 expenses, 25% taxes, 1,200 billable hours: ($80,000 + $10,000) / 0.75 / 1,200 = $100/hour