Independent Logic

Rate Architect

Don't guess your value. Most freelancers undercharge by forgetting taxes and non-billable hours. Use this tool to reverse-engineer your required rate.

Income & Taxes
Your financial goals
Time & Expenses
Workload and overhead

Required Hourly Rate

$94

Daily Rate (8h)

$752

Gross Rev Needed

$112,667

Safety Net

Includes 4 weeks of paid time off.

Admin Time

Assumes 15h/week for non-billable work.

The "Why" Behind The Rate

As a freelancer, you are the business. You must cover your own taxes, equipment, software, and sick days. Charging less than this rate means you are effectively taking a pay cut compared to an employee role.

Value Logic

A 40-hour work week doesn't mean 40 billable hours. Between marketing, admin, and invoicing, most freelancers actually bill about 20-30 hours per week. Your rate must compensate for this "hidden" work.

Billable Ratio

Understanding your billable vs non-billable hours is crucial for maintaining profitability and avoiding burnout.

Overhead Buffer

Unlike employees, you pay for your own equipment, insurance, and taxes. These must be factored into every hour you bill.

Rate Blueprint

Review your rates every 6-12 months. If you are 100% booked for 3 months, it's a clear signal to increase your hourly rate by at least 20%.

Desired Net

Take Home Goal

Required Gross

Hourly Charge