Salary to Freelance Rate Calculator
Convert a full-time corporate salary into its true freelance equivalent, factoring in lost healthcare, 401(k) match, and paid time off.
Freelance Hourly & Day Rate Calculator
Solve backwards from your personal take-home goal, accounting for unpaid admin hours, software, and self-employment taxes.
Quick Answer: Core Formula & Key Drivers
To replace a $100,000 W-2 corporate job, your equivalent freelance gross must be roughly $135,000–$145,000 to cover employer FICA payroll taxes (+7.65%), health benefits, vacation, and hardware. Dividing by ~1,200 billable hours yields a required rate of $115–$125/hr.
Worked Example: $100,000 Corporate Employee Transition
Scenario: Current full-time salary is $100,000 with 3 weeks PTO and 5% 401(k) match.
What Is Not Included In This Model
- ✕Stock equity vesting / RSUs
- ✕Life insurance policy benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does freelance rate seem double the salary hourly wage?+
A $100k salary equals $50/hr across 2,080 corporate hours where every coffee break and holiday is paid. In freelancing, only productive client hours are paid.
Related Freelance Calculators
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate the billable hourly rate needed to achieve your desired take-home salary after taxes, business software, downtime, and unpaid administrative hours.
Freelance Day Rate Calculator
Convert your hourly rate into standard full-day and half-day client booking rates, with built-in buffer for context switching.