Setting the right hourly rate is one of the most critical decisions a freelancer makes. Charge too little, and you risk burnout, financial stress, and devaluing your skills. Charge too much without justification, and you might struggle to find clients. This isn't just about covering your bills; it's about:

• Ensuring Profitability: Going beyond just breaking even to actually build wealth and invest in your business.
• Sustainable Career: Avoiding the feast-or-famine cycle by knowing your numbers.
• Confident Negotiations: Entering client discussions with a clear understanding of your value and financial requirements.
• Professionalism: Demonstrating to clients that you treat your freelance work as a serious business.

Our calculator helps you establish that crucial baseline, so you can start pricing from a position of knowledge and strength.

The hourly rate displayed above is your calculated minimum to meet your specified income goals and cover your expenses, including an initial estimate for US self-employment taxes. Think of this as your "break-even plus desired income" rate.

Here's how to use this information:

• Foundation for Pricing: Use this as a starting point. You may need to adjust it upwards based on your experience, skills, market demand for your niche, and the value you deliver to clients.
• Negotiation Confidence: Knowing your baseline helps you understand how low you can realistically go in a negotiation without compromising your financial stability.
• Project Pricing: If you price per project, this hourly rate can help you estimate the time involved and ensure your project fees are adequate. (Hint: Our upcoming per-job calculator will help even more with this!)
• Regular Review: Revisit this calculation periodically, especially if your income goals, business expenses, or billable hours change.

Remember to also research what others in your field and location with similar experience are charging to understand your market value fully.