What should you actually charge? Enter what you want to earn — we’ll do the unglamorous math: unpaid weeks, expenses, and the tax bill.
Your hourly rate should be at least
$— / hour
Billable hours / year—
Set aside for taxes (per year)—
Monthly income target—
Day rate (8 hrs)—
Show the math
Billable hours = hours/week × (52 − unpaid weeks).
Pre-tax hourly = (target pay + expenses) ÷ billable hours.
Final rate = pre-tax hourly ÷ (1 − tax rate) — because the tax comes out of what you bill.
Example: $80k target + $2k expenses, 25 hrs × 48 weeks = 1,200 hrs → $68.33/hr pre-tax → $91/hr at a 25% tax rate.
This is a planning estimate, not tax advice — your real rate depends on your market, experience, and local tax rules. When in doubt, round up: almost every freelancer undercharges at first.