Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator 2025–2026
What hourly rate do you need to charge to actually hit your income goals? Factor in taxes, health insurance, retirement, and slow months — get your real number.
Sample calculation
Your minimum rate
$95/hr
to hit your goals after all costs
Your Goals & Costs
The amount you want in your pocket after tax.
Use our Tax Calculator for your exact rate.
Buffer for slow months, non-billable work, and business growth.
This calculator helps you find your minimum viable rate. Adjust upward based on your experience, niche, and market demand.
Enter your target salary
We'll calculate the exact hourly rate you need to charge to hit your goals after tax, health insurance, and retirement.
Why freelancers undercharge (and how to stop)
A $50/hr freelancer is not equal to a $50/hr employee. Here's what you're actually covering.
You pay both the employer and employee share of Social Security & Medicare
No employer contribution — the full premium comes out of your revenue
Every vacation or sick day is direct lost income with no safety net
Proposals, admin, and sales hours don't show up on any invoice
The hidden costs in a $100K salary equivalent
Frequently asked questions
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