How Much To Charge As A Freelancer



How much should you charge as a freelancer. What’s the difference between hourly, day and project rate as a freelancer?

Setting your freelance rates can be a complex decision with numerous factors to consider. As a freelancer, determining how much to charge involves balancing your skills, experience, market demand, and financial goals. Here’s a brief guide to help you navigate this crucial aspect of freelancing.

Firstly, analyze your expertise and experience. If you’re a seasoned professional with specialized skills, you can command higher rates than someone just starting. Researching industry standards is essential; this gives you a benchmark and ensures your rates are competitive without undervaluing your work. Platforms like eFreelance are excellent for this purpose, offering insights into what peers in your field are charging and facilitating price comparisons.

Another crucial aspect is to calculate your expenses meticulously. Consider your overhead costs, such as software, hardware, insurance, and office supplies, then incorporate these into your rates. Don’t forget to factor in tax liabilities and savings. It’s also wise to set an annual income goal and break it down into hourly, daily, or project-based rates to ensure you meet your financial needs comfortably.

Additionally, the complexity and timeframe of the project should influence your pricing. Urgent or highly complex tasks typically justify higher rates. Flexibility is also key; sometimes, adjusting your rates based on a client’s budget can lead to long-term partnerships.

In essence, fair pricing reflects your value and sustains your business. Leveraging platforms like eFreelance can provide guidance and a marketplace to effectively position your services.

31 Comments

  • @indabena

    July 5, 2024

    Thanks.

    Reply
  • @wotntarnation3012

    July 5, 2024

    These rates are waaaay too low imo. Jr designers should be at least 300, if not 350. $200/day will give you terrible clients and cheap work. Nowadays, most people with experience are saying "do not start too low" so rates have gone up accordingly

    Reply
  • @seananthonyjr.1595

    July 5, 2024

    Very informative. Great content! Good price points and geographical factors in economic awareness.

    Reply
  • @journalsfromdavid

    July 5, 2024

    5k for a logo…..wow

    Reply
  • @IamDavidGauthier

    July 5, 2024

    This was helpful, thanks! It would be cool to get examples for different freelance services e.g. graphic, video, writer…

    Reply
  • @imrankhansaami

    July 5, 2024

    Project consistency

    Reply
  • @RichMarrett

    July 5, 2024

    Thank you Matt great information and very useful to have the $ amounts there as well. Like you have mentioned using a project rate with defined revisions has really helped me to grow my design business!

    Reply
  • @Lukavichiano

    July 5, 2024

    Hey awesome Futur community, do you think these daily rates are applicable/transferable for freelance real-estate photographers in NYC? Some context: I'm currently scaling my real estate marketing asset company ( we provide videography, floor plans, photography, 3D virtual tours) and have two new freelance photographers. Both are junior, I've trained them from the ground up, they have their own gear, they don't need to edit- they only shoot, sketch and capture the RAW photos and footage for us…we edit everything. I appreciate any thoughts, input and questions. I want to make it a win win, all 'round.

    Reply
  • @youreadisgracepod

    July 5, 2024

    How would the day rates you listed (200, 400, 600) apply to project rates?

    Reply
  • @blizzyvicious2839

    July 5, 2024

    5,000 a logo wtf kinda logos you making bro 🤣🤣

    Reply
  • @patriciasarkkinen5074

    July 5, 2024

    The Futur is saving my butt once again :')

    Reply
  • @rootmotionstudio9262

    July 5, 2024

    Man I have problems with pricing although I provide good quality! how can I charge more?

    Reply
  • @yfoog

    July 5, 2024

    Love the pie chart

    Reply
  • @emandnat3489

    July 5, 2024

    Super handy, thank you for this!

    Reply
  • @MeelisMatt

    July 5, 2024

    i asked 650 euros for new years card printable + web one with animation. was that too high price? they declined me for someone else.

    Reply
  • @chachan4142

    July 5, 2024

    I have a question. What about people who live in SE Asia? How do we find a market with enough demand for our talents that we can command what we are worth? Or the only option is to move to a western country like the USA, the UK, or an EU country?

    Reply
  • @KaYungCalebLai

    July 5, 2024

    I think the rate should be a much larger % in the pie, unless your client has a shit ton of cash like Apple.

    Reply
  • @FreelancewithSirarpi

    July 5, 2024

    I prefer working on an hourly basis because as a Digital Marketing Specialist, sometimes I have to make lots of research. And as you said, the demand also matters. I make sure to get jobs with skills not many marketers experience in. This way, I get paid higher.

    Reply
  • @Jowyerv

    July 5, 2024

    I'm from Malaysia, but just because of this people always asking for a very low price from me, and compare my price with India or Indonesia freelancer, but they don't know our currency and expenses are different… and this is why I'm very confuse with pricing…

    Reply
  • @k.m.imranhussein6873

    July 5, 2024

    Very helpful, thanks!

    Reply
  • @MsDJLW

    July 5, 2024

    5,,000 for a logo!! I need to raise my prices. lol

    Reply
  • @chosen1one67

    July 5, 2024

    I like the project rate method

    Reply
  • @zohaibmalik819

    July 5, 2024

    Very nice tips. Rally made me think about these.

    Reply
  • @famousafterdeath

    July 5, 2024

    I kept struggling with this . Thank you extremely

    Reply
  • @mackenlyjones

    July 5, 2024

    Everyone needs to read win without pitching manifesto

    Reply
  • @bluebellink2221

    July 5, 2024

    I am curious if you have advice around the "hygiene' aspect of things. I'm a clean person in terms of personal hygiene but I certainly wouldn't describe myself as organized, I'm naturally chaotic. It wasn't really a problem until this year when all of a sudden multiple people are wanting me to work on multiple projects at once. Do you have videos based on this piece of the pie that I have just missed? Just around creating organisation in your workspace and workflow? Also, really helpful to see not just the rates but what you expect from people at different pay rates so thanks for that.

    Reply
  • @user-qb3jg8ep9t

    July 5, 2024

    About tree fiddy

    Reply
  • @Issey.Trufffle

    July 5, 2024

    I find these rates quite low for North America. Maybe it’s because I’m in the motion design industry.
    For a 8-9 hour day, I’ve seen more:
    Junior $350
    Mid $500
    Expert $800+

    Reply
  • @Animefreak242

    July 5, 2024

    Got tied up and I missed the live 😭 Is it available?

    Reply
  • @leonardjohnson7074

    July 5, 2024

    Good job there bro…. I would say a ball park number for sure… Fantastic video matt… Thanks

    Reply
  • @5najduch

    July 5, 2024

    Huge value in this video! I appreciate it as a freelance videographer. My motto is to deliver an agency like experience in terms of deadlines and communications, even though I am only one person.

    Reply

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