Freelance consultant rate calculator
Find the minimum a day of your time is worth — then price the value on top.
Your numbers
Annual figures. Be honest about billable hours.
"Billable hours" should exclude admin, sales, and downtime — most full-timers bill far fewer hours than they work.
Track billable hours and turn them into invoices automatically with FreshBooks.
What consultants should factor in
Consultants are usually paid for outcomes and expertise rather than hours, so day rates and value-based pricing are common. Even so, an hourly floor tells you the least a day of your time can be worth.
Consultants also carry heavy unbillable time in sales, proposals, and relationship-building, so bill fewer hours than you'd expect. Price the value you deliver, not just the clock — but never below the floor.
Frequently asked
Take the hourly floor from this calculator and multiply by the hours you'd actually bill in a day (often 6–8, not a full work day), then add a premium for the expertise and outcomes you bring. Day rates also make pricing simpler for clients than itemized hours.
Most full-time freelancers bill 20–30 hours a week once admin, sales, and downtime are removed — not 40. Be conservative here or you'll underprice.
Commonly cited figures put the U.S. average around $48 an hour, but it varies hugely by field, experience, and location. Treat it as a sanity check, not a target.