Stop undercharging. Calculate exactly what you need to earn per hour, day, or project to hit your income goals — after taxes and expenses.
| Industry | Avg Hourly Rate | Experience Level |
|---|---|---|
| Software Development | $75 - $200 | Mid-Senior |
| Design & Creative | $50 - $150 | Mid-Senior |
| Writing & Content | $40 - $120 | Mid-Senior |
| Marketing & SEO | $60 - $175 | Mid-Senior |
| Consulting | $100 - $300 | Senior+ |
| Video & Animation | $50 - $175 | Mid-Senior |
Setting the right freelance rate is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an independent professional. Charge too little and you'll burn out working unsustainable hours. Charge too much and you might struggle to win clients. The key is finding the sweet spot that covers your costs, taxes, and desired lifestyle while remaining competitive in your market.
Our calculator uses the reverse-engineering approach: start with your desired take-home pay, add taxes and business expenses to find your total revenue target, then divide by your actual billable hours. Remember, not all working hours are billable — you also spend time on admin, marketing, invoicing, and professional development. Most freelancers find that only 60-70% of their total work hours are actually billable to clients.