Hourly Rate Calculator for Freelancers
Calculate the freelance hourly rate you need based on income goals, taxes, and realistic billable hours.
Searchers typing hourly rate calculator often want a single number fast — but the right hourly rate depends on how many hours you can actually bill. This page defaults to $75k take-home and 24 billable hours per week, typical for US solo freelancers.
Market reference
| Metric | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| US solo freelancer target | $70k–$120k/yr | take-home goal |
| Billable hours / week | 22–28 | after admin & sales |
| Self-employment + income tax | 25–35% | combined estimate |
| Common hourly outcome | $65–$110/hr | at these defaults |
Interactive example — hourly rate calculator freelance
Defaults match this page's scenario. Adjust numbers to see your rate update instantly.
- Minimum hourly
- $99
- Day rate (8h)
- $794
- Typical project
- $4,762
- Monthly retainer
- $10,310
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Frequently asked questions
How is freelance hourly rate different from employee hourly pay?
Freelancers pay self-employment tax, cover benefits, and bill fewer than 40 hours per week.
Should I charge the same hourly rate to every client?
Use this as your floor; charge more for rush work, niche expertise, or enterprise clients.
How do I convert hourly to project pricing?
Multiply hours by your rate and add 15–25% buffer for scope changes on fixed quotes.