Free calculator
Calculate a freelance hourly rate from take-home income, taxes, expenses, available weeks, and realistic utilization.
Floor rate: $118 before tax and profit. Revenue target: $168,000.
Best fit
Use the result as your floor, then adjust for urgency, client segment, strategic value, and scope uncertainty.
Common questions
A good rate covers taxes, tools, sales time, admin time, vacation, and profit. For many skilled US freelancers, that means charging 2x to 3x the hourly equivalent of a full-time salary.
Use the hourly rate internally even when you sell fixed projects. It keeps scope decisions grounded and makes discounts easier to evaluate.