Freelance Rate Calculator
Calculate your true freelance rate. Never undercharge again.
Your Details
$
What you want to actually pocket after taxes & expenses
Realistically 20-30 for most freelancers (meetings, admin, marketing eat time)
$
Software, equipment, insurance, coworking, etc.
Self-employment + income tax
401k/IRA contribution goal
Your Rate
$94
per hour minimum
$118,000
Annual Gross Needed
1250 hrs
Billable Hours/Year
hours
Project Quote: $3,776
(40 hrs × $94/hr)
W2 Equivalent: $97,500/year
This is what a W2 job would need to pay to match (includes benefits value)
Where Your Money Goes
| ● Take-Home Pay | $75,000 | 63.6% |
| ● Taxes | $29,500 | 25.0% |
| ● Retirement | $7,500 | 6.4% |
| ● Business Expenses | $6,000 | 5.1% |
| Total Gross | $118,000 | 100% |
Why This Matters
Most freelancers undercharge because they compare their rate to a W2 salary directly. But as a freelancer, you're responsible for:
- Self-employment taxes - You pay both employer and employee portions (15.3%)
- Health insurance - No employer subsidy
- Retirement - No 401k match
- Unpaid time off - Vacation, sick days, holidays
- Business expenses - Software, equipment, insurance
- Non-billable hours - Marketing, admin, invoicing
This calculator accounts for all of these factors to show you what you actually need to charge.