How this calculator works
Set a sustainable hourly rate from income goals, benefits, taxes, billable utilization, and risk buffer.
Example
A freelancer who wants $80,000 take-home income may need a much higher billing rate after taxes, benefits, retirement savings, non-billable time, and risk buffer.
What makes this tool more practical
- This version separates take-home income from revenue needed before tax, so the rate is not based on a misleading salary-only target.
- Billable utilization accounts for sales calls, admin work, revisions, learning, bookkeeping, and unpaid downtime.
- Benefits, retirement savings, and risk buffer help freelancers compare self-employment pricing against a full-time job more realistically.
When to use it
Use this tool when you need a quick business estimate before setting a price, sending a quote, planning a campaign, comparing fees, or checking whether the numbers still make sense.
Important note
Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter. They do not replace professional accounting, tax, legal, lending, or financial advice.