Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Design & Dev Pricing
Output Benchmarks
How to use this Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Input Data
Enter your current Freelance metrics into the labeled fields above.
Analyze Ratios
Instantly view efficiency ratios calculated against elite standards.
Optimize
Compare your results with the Benchmarks on the right to find leverage points.
Strategic Context
THE STRATEGIC VIEW
Freelancing is a business of selling outcomes, not hours. However, to stay solvent, you must calculate your "Survival Floor"—the hourly rate that accounts for unbillable admin time, sales taxes, and health insurance. Strategic pricing starts with knowing your cost to exist as a professional.
Operational Reality
THE 50% RULE
Freelancers confuse "Salary" with "Billings".
In a corporate job, your employer pays for your laptop, health insurance, taxes, and finds you work.
As a freelancer, you spend 50% of your time purely on Admin/Sales. If you want to earn $100k/year, you need to bill like you earn $200k/year to cover the unbillable hours.
THE FEAST AND FAMINE BUFFER
Your rate must include a "Risk Premium". You might have 0 work in December.
Your hourly rate in October needs to subsidize your idle time in December. Never price for 100% utilization. Price for 60%.
Tactical FAQ
TACTICAL Q&A
Q: Retainer or Hourly?
Q: How do I raise rates for old clients?
Output Benchmarks
Master The System
This calculator is just one tactical step. The full strategy is documented in the core protocol.
Source Lesson
Sales Engineering: Freelance Protocol