Freelancer rate calculator
Freelance Rate Calculator
Plan your $100k year. See exactly what to charge.
Based on 0 billable hours per year.
How to Actually Get Paid $85+/Hour
The calculator above gives you the “Math,” but the Market decides the “Value.”
Most designers stay stuck at $25-$40/hour because they treat their portfolio like a storage locker. To command the rate you calculated above ($80+), you must stop sending PDF portfolios or Behance links. High-ticket clients in the USA expect a custom, interactive web presence.
Here is the exact “Tech Stack” we recommend to build a $100k freelancer brand:
- Get Framer (Best for Speed) – The fastest way to build a world-class portfolio. If you know Figma, you already know Framer. It allows you to publish a stunning site in hours, not weeks.
- Get Webflow (Best for Power) – If you need complex interactions or CMS for clients, this is the industry standard. It justifies charging $5k+ per project.
- Get Envato Elements – Don’t waste billable hours making assets from scratch. Get unlimited fonts, mockups, and templates to speed up your workflow.
The “30% Rule” for Freelancers
If your calculated rate seems high, remember the 30% Rule: Roughly 30% of your income goes to taxes and overhead. If you aim to take home $70k, you must bill $100k.
Do not lower your rate to fit a client’s budget. Instead, increase your perceived value by using the tools listed above to present yourself as a Premium Agency, not just a freelancer.