Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Convert Your Salary to a Freelance Rate
Determine what hourly rate to charge as a freelancer based on your desired salary, billable hours, expenses, and taxes.
Your Freelance Rate
Minimum Hourly Rate
$130.95/hr
Revenue Needed (Pre-Tax)
$157,143
Taxes & Expenses
$57,143
Billable Utilization
63%
Based on 48 working weeks · 1200 billable hours · 30% tax rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate from salary?
Take your desired annual salary, add 25-35% for taxes (self-employment tax), add business expenses, divide by billable hours per year (typically 1,000-1,500). Example: $100k target ÷ 1,200 billable hours = ~$83/hr.
Why do freelancers charge more than employees?
Freelancers pay both employer and employee portions of FICA tax (15.3% vs 7.65%), cover their own benefits (health insurance, PTO, sick days), and have unbillable time for admin, marketing, and business development.
How many billable hours should I expect?
Full-time freelancers typically bill 1,000-1,500 hours per year out of 2,080 potential. The rest goes to marketing, proposals, admin, accounting, professional development, and time off. 1,200 billable hours (25/week) is a realistic target.