Freelancer Effective Hourly Rate Calculator
Your quoted hourly rate isn't what you actually earn per working hour. This calculator factors in unpaid admin/marketing time, self-employment taxes, and business expenses to reveal your true effective hourly rate.
About this calculator
Calculate your true effective hourly rate after accounting for unpaid admin time, taxes, benefits, and non-billable hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my required rate higher than my take-home goal divided by hours worked?
Because you're only billing a fraction of your total working hours (the rest go to admin, marketing, and unpaid work), and you also need to cover taxes and business expenses out of billable revenue.
How many hours per week are typically billable?
Most freelancers can only bill 50-70% of a standard workweek; the rest goes to client acquisition, invoicing, and administrative tasks.
Should I include health insurance in expenses?
Yes, any self-funded benefits like health insurance, retirement contributions, or software subscriptions should be included in your annual business expenses for an accurate rate.