Freelance Rate Calculator for the US
US-specific freelance rate calculator with self-employment tax, typical expenses, and billable hour assumptions.
US freelancers face ~15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings plus federal and state income tax. This page uses 30% combined tax and $6k annual business expenses — adjust for your state and health insurance costs.
Market reference
| Metric | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| SE tax (US) | 15.3% | Social Security + Medicare |
| Typical business expenses | $3k–$12k/yr | software, insurance |
| Health insurance (solo) | $400–$800/mo | add to expenses |
| US designer mid-rate | $75–$125/hr | after tax & overhead |
Interactive example — freelance rate calculator us
Defaults match this page's scenario. Adjust numbers to see your rate update instantly.
- Minimum hourly
- $102
- Day rate (8h)
- $819
- Typical project
- $4,914
- Monthly retainer
- $11,083
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Frequently asked questions
Does this include state income tax?
Use the tax % field — 28–32% is common for federal + state combined in many US states.
What billable hours should US freelancers use?
Most solos use 22–28 billable hours per week, not 40.
When should I raise my US freelance rate?
Annually, or when utilization stays above 80% for more than a quarter.