Freelance
Freelance Rate Calculator
Turn your hourly rate into monthly and yearly income — after payment and transfer fees.
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Estimates only. Payment and transfer fees vary by provider, country, and amount — always confirm with your payout method.
How to price your freelance work
Your headline hourly rate is not what lands in your bank. Between unpaid weeks, payment-processor fees, and international transfer costs, your real take-home can be noticeably lower. This calculator turns your rate into realistic monthly and yearly income after those fees, so you can set a rate that actually meets your goals.
Getting paid through a marketplace or processor? Check its exact cut with our PayPal and Stripe fee calculators.
Setting a rate that actually pays
A common trap is comparing your hourly rate to a salaried wage. As a freelancer you also cover unpaid time — admin, sales, sick days, holidays — plus your own taxes, software, and equipment. After those, a headline rate that looks high can leave you earning less than a salaried role.
Work backwards from the annual income you actually need, divide by the billable weeks and hours you can realistically work, then add your payment and transfer fees on top. The calculator above turns that into a clear monthly and yearly figure after fees.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert my hourly rate to a yearly income?+
Multiply your hourly rate by hours per week, then by the number of weeks you work per year. For example, $30/hour × 40 hours × 48 weeks = $57,600 gross per year, before payment fees.
How much do payment platforms take from freelancers?+
It depends on how you get paid. Wise typically charges around 0.5–1%, Payoneer around 2%, and PayPal roughly 3–4% for cross-border payments. Enter your real payout fee to see your true net income.
How many weeks should I use per year?+
A full year is 52 weeks, but most freelancers take time off and have gaps between clients. Using 46–48 weeks gives a more realistic yearly income.
Should I charge by the hour or per project?+
Hourly is simple and fair for open-ended work; fixed-project pricing rewards you for being fast and gives the client certainty. Many freelancers quote per project but use an hourly rate underneath to make sure the price is worth their time.
Do these figures include tax?+
No — this shows income after payment and transfer fees, but before income tax and self-employment contributions. Set aside a portion of each payment for tax based on your country's rules.
How do I set my freelance rate?+
Work backwards from the annual income you need, divide by the weeks and billable hours you can realistically work, then add your payment and transfer fees on top. That gives a rate that actually meets your goal.