Replace employee benefits yourself
Contractors often pay for health insurance, retirement contributions, equipment, software, professional services, and time off directly from business revenue.
Contractor pricing
Contractor rate calculator
Convert your desired take-home income into a contractor rate that accounts for unpaid time, taxes, expenses, and a profit buffer.
Guide
What a contractor rate needs to cover
Build in non-billable work
Client communication, invoicing, follow-up, proposals, project setup, and context switching should be reflected in the rate instead of absorbed for free.
Add margin before quoting
Use the calculator output as your internal floor, then add margin for scope uncertainty, turnaround expectations, and client-specific complexity.
Blog
Read more practical money notes
The blog expands on pricing, cash flow, runway, and balance-sheet thinking without tying this page to unrelated calculators.
Next step
Check the personal balance sheet behind your rate
The calculator gives you a pricing floor. The 12-month workbook helps you see assets, debts, obligations, net worth, runway, and cash flow before you make bigger pricing decisions.
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Get the workbook
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FAQ
Common questions for contractor rate calculator
Is this a finished price or a floor?
The calculator gives you a floor. You can quote higher when the work is urgent, specialized, strategic, or likely to involve extra coordination.
Why do taxes and weeks off matter?
Freelance work has fewer billable hours than a normal salary job, and the tax burden sits on the business side. The inputs make that difference visible before you commit to a rate.
Can I use this for project, day, or retainer pricing?
Yes. Start with the hourly floor, then translate it into a fixed fee, day rate, or retainer after you estimate the number of hours, access, and scope involved.
Is this tax or legal advice?
No. It is a planning tool. Confirm tax, legal, and financial decisions with a qualified professional if the numbers will affect formal filings or contracts.