Should freelancers charge more than employees?

Yes. Freelancers cover their own taxes, benefits, downtime, and business costs, so a higher hourly rate is needed to match an equivalent salary.

Freelance Rate Calculator

Determine the ideal hourly rate for freelance projects to meet your income goals.

Desired Annual Income

Annual Business Expenses

Billable Hours / Week

Working Weeks / Year

Recommended Hourly Rate

$83.33

Day Rate (8 hrs)

$666.67

Billable Hours / Year

1,200

How to convert an annual salary into an hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly rate — and why the standard 2,080-hour year is the key number.

Convert annual salary to hourly rate, daily, weekly, and monthly pay.

Estimate your net pay after federal and state taxes and deductions.

Calculate your new salary and take-home pay after a raise.

Calculate overtime pay based on your hourly rate and hours worked.