METHODOLOGY

Transparent math beats a mysterious benchmark.

RatePilot is a planning tool for independent professionals. It publishes the assumptions behind every result so you can challenge them, change them, and discuss them with an adviser.

Core calculation

The main calculator begins with desired annual take-home income plus annual benefits and retirement funding. It gross-ups that owner-compensation goal using the effective tax estimate, adds annual operating costs, then divides by one minus the resilience margin. Finally, it divides required revenue by realistic billable capacity.

Target hourly rate = target annual revenue ÷ annual billable hours

Annual billable hours = total weekly work hours × billable percentage × working weeks.

What the result does not claim

The calculator does not estimate a country-specific tax bill, prove a market rate, guarantee profit, replace a professional adviser, or decide what a client should pay. It provides a cost-and-capacity checkpoint for a wider pricing decision.

Privacy principle

The calculation runs in the browser. Inputs are stored locally on the same device for convenience and are not submitted to RatePilot. A shared link contains the values you choose to share in its URL, so review it before sending.

Editorial standard

Guidance is written specifically for freelance pricing decisions, separates examples from guarantees, and avoids invented market benchmarks. Pages are updated when the calculation or material guidance changes—not simply to display a newer date.

Check the plan

Start with the full calculator, then review tax assumptions and business structure with an appropriately qualified professional.