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💰 Income & Working Hours
📋 Monthly Business Expenses
Common expenses:
🏛️ Tax Estimation
Tax Breakdown
Rate varies
Disclaimer: These are estimates only. Consult a tax professional.
2025 Freelance Rate Benchmarks
Compare your rate against market data
Web Developer
Designer
Writer
Consultant
Understanding Freelance Taxes
15.3%
Self-Employment Tax
Social Security + Medicare
10-37%
Federal Income Tax
Progressive brackets
0-13.3%
State Income Tax
Varies by state
States With No Income Tax
🛠️ Essential Freelance Business Tools
Recommended tools to run your freelance business professionally.
💪 Negotiation Tactics for Freelancers
Knowing your rate is just the first step. Here's how to confidently negotiate with clients and get paid what you're worth.
Know Your Bottom Line
Before any negotiation, determine your Minimum Acceptable Rate (MAR). This is the lowest you'll go — walking away is better than working below this number.
Anchor High
The first number in a negotiation sets the anchor. Start 15-30% higher than your target rate — this gives you room to "compromise" while still hitting your goal.
Flip the Question
When clients ask your rate first, respond with: "What's your budget for this project?" This reveals their expectations and prevents you from underselling.
Focus on Value, Not Time
Frame your pricing around the value you deliver, not hours worked. A logo that increases sales by 20% is worth more than "20 hours of design work."
Be Willing to Walk Away
The most powerful negotiation tool is the ability to say no. Clients can sense desperation. Confidence comes from having options and knowing your worth.
Raise Rates Strategically
After delivering excellent work, ask for a rate increase. The end of a successful project is the perfect time — you've just proven your value.
📊 Freelance Market Rate Data Sources
We aggregate data from these trusted industry sources. Bookmark them for your own research.
Upwork
Hourly Rate Guide 2025
Comprehensive rate data from the world's largest freelance marketplace with 12M+ freelancers.
Clockify
Average Hourly Rates
Detailed breakdown of freelance rates by industry, experience level, and geographic location.
PayScale
Salary & Hourly Data
Research-backed compensation data used by HR professionals and job seekers worldwide.
Glassdoor
Freelance Salaries
Employee-reported salary data including freelance and contract positions across industries.
FreelancerMap
IT Freelancer Index
Specialized IT and tech freelancer rate data with quarterly market reports and trends.
Indeed
Salary Calculator
Massive salary database from the world's #1 job site with location-based comparisons.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
To calculate your freelance hourly rate: (1) Determine your desired annual take-home income, (2) Add annual business expenses, (3) Add estimated taxes (typically 25-40% for US freelancers), (4) Divide by your total billable hours per year. Our calculator does this automatically with accurate state-specific tax estimates.
What is self-employment tax?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of your net self-employment income, covering Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%). Unlike employees who split this with employers, freelancers pay the full amount. However, you can deduct half of SE tax from your adjusted gross income.
Which US states have no income tax?
Nine US states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (on earned income), South Dakota, Tennessee (on earned income), Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Freelancers in these states only pay federal taxes and self-employment tax.
How many hours should I bill per week?
Most freelancers can realistically bill 25-35 hours per week. The remaining time goes to non-billable work: marketing, admin, invoicing, client communication, and business development. New freelancers often overestimate billable hours—start conservative and adjust.
Should I charge hourly or project-based rates?
Both have advantages. Hourly rates provide predictable income and protect against scope creep. Project rates can be more profitable if you work efficiently and let you focus on value delivered rather than time spent. Many freelancers use hourly for ongoing work and project rates for defined deliverables.
How often should I raise my rates?
Review your rates annually at minimum. Raise them when: (1) You've gained significant new skills or experience, (2) Demand for your services increases, (3) Your costs increase (inflation, software, insurance), (4) You're consistently fully booked—that's a signal you're underpriced.
🏛️ US Freelance Tax Resources
Essential resources for managing your freelance tax obligations.
Ready to Charge What You're Worth?
Bookmark this calculator and come back whenever you're negotiating a new project or raising your rates. Share it with fellow freelancers!