Freelance Consultant / Project Manager Rate Calculator

Calculate your freelance consulting day rate or hourly rate with market benchmarks for business consultants and project managers.

Your profession

Experience level

Currency

Target annual income (after tax)

Billable hours ratio60%

736 hrs/yr on admin, proposals & marketing

Annual business expenses$5,000

Software, equipment, insurance, coworking

Estimated tax rate28%

Income tax + self-employment contributions

Weeks worked per year46 weeks

6 weeks for holiday, sick leave & gaps

Your minimum rate

$105/hr

Recommended (+ 20% buffer)

$126/hr

Billable hrs/yr

1,104

Required gross

$116K

Annual at rec. rate

$139K

How we calculated your rate

Target net income$80,000

+ Tax (28%)+$31,111

+ Business expenses+$5,000

= Required gross income$116,111

÷ 1,104 billable hours/yr$105/hr

📊 Consultant / Project Manager market rates

Entry level

$40/hr

Mid-level

$90/hr

Senior

$140/hr

Expert

$210/hr

Orange line = your minimum rate. Data from Upwork, Clockify & Payscale.

Market insight

Your rate sits 17% above the market midpoint — achievable with a strong portfolio. Make sure your positioning justifies the premium.

Consultant / Project Manager market rates (USD)

Entry level

$40/hr

Mid

$90/hr

Senior

$140/hr

Expert

$210/hr