Stop undercharging: factor in non-billable admin hours, business overhead, and scope-creep buffers to price your next project profitably.
Assumptions: 46 working weeks/yr, 28 billable hrs/wk, 18% tax/overhead buffer
As of: November 2026
| Target net $60,000 / yr (46 weeks) | Rate $62 / hr (60h project $4,658) |
| Target net $80,000 / yr (46 weeks) | Rate $80 / hr (60h project $6,032) |
| Target net $100,000 / yr (46 weeks) | Rate $98 / hr (60h project $7,407) |
| Target net $140,000 / yr (46 weeks) | Rate $135 / hr (60h project $10,155) |
New freelancers often divide their target income by 2,080 hours (40 hrs × 52 weeks). In reality, after 4 weeks of vacation/sick leave and 30–35% spent on sales calls, proposals, invoicing, and marketing, most solo consultants average 24–28 billable hours per week (~1,250 hours/year).
When quoting a fixed project fee instead of hourly billing, multiply your estimated execution hours by `1 + Scope Buffer %` to absorb client feedback loops, meetings, and minor revisions while protecting your effective hourly rate.
Compare your true monthly take-home pay after payroll taxes and find your exact freelance break-even contract value.
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