Freelance Rate Calculator for Designers
Calculate the hourly and day rate you need as a freelance designer, including taxes, expenses, and non-billable time.
Freelance designers often underprice because they forget revision rounds, file prep, and client management. This page uses typical US designer income targets and 22–26 billable hours per week — realistic for portfolio + admin work.
Market reference
| Metric | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Junior designer (US) | $35–$75/hr | 1–2 years, consumer brands |
| Mid-level designer | $75–$125/hr | 3–5 years, B2B / product |
| Senior / art director | $125–$200/hr | lead roles, strategy included |
| Typical billable utilization | 55–65% | ~22–26 hrs/week billable |
Interactive example — freelance rate calculator for designer
Defaults match this page's scenario. Adjust numbers to see your rate update instantly.
- Minimum hourly
- $95
- Day rate (8h)
- $759
- Typical project
- $4,554
- Monthly retainer
- $9,858
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Frequently asked questions
What hourly rate should a freelance designer charge?
Most mid-level designers target $75–$125/hr in the US after accounting for taxes and overhead.
Should designers charge hourly or per project?
Hourly works for discovery phases; fixed project rates protect you from scope creep.
How many billable hours can a designer expect?
Plan for 20–28 billable hours per week out of a 40-hour work week.