Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
The "Quit Your Job" edition — find out exactly what to charge per hour to replace your salary.
Your Details
The salary you want to replace (in your local currency).
Software, co-working, internet, etc.
Buffer above break-even (20% is standard).
Not all hours are billable — admin, marketing, etc. 70% is typical.
Enter your salary to begin
Fill in your current salary on the left and we'll calculate your ideal freelance hourly rate instantly.
Freelance hourly rate calculator to replace your salary and cover all expenses
If you are thinking about going freelance, the first question you face is what to charge per hour. Too low and you end up earning less than your old salary after accounting for self-employment tax, software subscriptions, health insurance, and unpaid vacation. Too high and you price yourself out of the market before you land a single client. This calculator takes the guesswork out by working backwards from the salary you want to replace, factoring in business expenses, desired time off, and a healthy profit margin to give you the exact minimum hourly rate you must charge to survive as a freelancer.
How This Local-First Tool Works
- Input your current salary (or target annual income), monthly business expenses such as software, co-working, internet, and accounting services, and desired vacation days to get a complete picture of your financial requirements as a freelancer.
- Adjustable billable-hour percentage reflects the reality that freelancers spend roughly 30% of their working time on non-billable tasks like admin, invoicing, marketing, and client communication, so the rate automatically compensates for lost revenue hours.
- All calculations run locally in your browser with zero data collection, which means your salary, expenses, and financial goals never leave your device and are never stored on any server.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a good billable percentage for a freelancer?
- Most freelancers find that 60-75% of their working hours are actually billable. The remaining time goes to marketing, administration, invoicing, communication, and professional development. A conservative estimate of 70% is used as the default in this calculator.
- Should I include a profit margin above my salary replacement?
- Yes. A 20% profit margin is the industry standard because freelancers have no employer-paid benefits, no paid sick leave, and must cover their own retirement savings. The margin also provides a financial buffer for slow months.
- How do I use this rate in client negotiations?
- The rate this tool calculates is your minimum floor, not your ceiling. Start negotiations at or above this rate and adjust based on project complexity, urgency, and the value you deliver. Never go below it or you risk earning less than your old job.
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