Work out the hourly rate you need to charge as a freelancer based on your income goal, working hours, and business costs.
$
$
You need to charge
$73.33/hr
Based on 1200 billable hours this year
Doesn't account for self-employment taxes — consider adding a buffer for tax obligations on top of this rate.
How the Freelance Rate Calculator works
Enter your desired annual income, business expenses, weekly billable hours, and weeks off. The calculator divides your total needed revenue by your realistic annual billable hours to find the rate you should charge.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't all my time billable?
Freelancers typically spend real time on admin, marketing, and finding clients that clients don't pay for directly — that's why billable hours are usually less than total working hours.
Should I add a tax buffer on top of this rate?
Yes — this rate covers your target income and business costs, but doesn't include self-employment taxes, which you should budget for separately.