Finance & Economics / Freelance & Creator Finance
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator (from Salary)
Your desired take-home income
Typical: 1200-1500 hours
Default: 15.3% (Social Security + Medicare)
Federal + State combined
Software, equipment, insurance, etc.
Additional buffer for savings/growth
About Freelance Hourly Rates
Formula: Hourly Rate = (Target Salary / Billable Hours) + Taxes + Expenses + Profit
Why billable hours matter: As a freelancer, not all hours are billable. Account for admin work, marketing, and time between projects.
Self-employment taxes: Unlike W-2 employees, freelancers pay both employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes (15.3% total).
Tip: Consider market rates in your industry and adjust accordingly. This calculator shows your minimum viable rate.
See Also
Other calculators in Freelance & Creator Finance