From Income Target to Hourly Rate

This freelancer rate calculator divides your desired annual income plus an overhead markup by the hours you can actually bill: desired income × (1 + overhead) ÷ (billable hours per week × weeks per year). The result is the minimum rate that keeps your business viable.

Billable Reality Check

Administration, proposals, marketing, and unpaid client communication typically consume 25–40% of a 40-hour week. Basing your rate on 30 billable hours instead of 40 is the difference between a rate that covers your life and one that covers your dreams only on paper.

The Tax Adjustment

Self-employed workers pay both halves of payroll tax. The tax-inclusive rate divides the base rate by (1 − tax rate), so that after taxes your take-home still meets the income goal.