Salary hours are not billable hours
A full-time salary assumes a steady paycheck. Freelance work usually has unpaid sales, planning, email, bookkeeping, revisions, and downtime between projects.
Salary conversion
Salary to freelance rate calculator
A $100k salary does not convert to a $48 freelance rate. Use this calculator to see the hourly rate a freelance business may actually need.
Guide
Why salary math underprices freelance work
Expenses move onto your books
Tools, equipment, insurance, payment fees, accounting, training, and workspace costs should be added before the rate is divided by annual billable hours.
Taxes need their own input
The tax field is a rough planning estimate, but it keeps the calculator from treating gross business revenue as personal take-home income.
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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FAQ
Common questions for salary to freelance 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.