Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate the minimum hourly rate to reach your target net income as a freelancer in Poland. Includes ZUS, income tax (flat/scale/lump-sum) and VAT — free online tool.
Calculator · Business
This calculator computes your internal baseline cost per billable hour — not a market rate, but the floor below which the business loses money. It factors in monthly fixed costs, social contributions, target owner salary, and a realistic utilisation rate (not every working hour is billable to clients).
1. Total monthly cost = fixed costs + social contributions + target salary. 2. Billable hours = nominal hours × utilisation rate. 3. Internal hourly cost = total cost / billable hours. 4. Minimum rate with buffer = hourly cost × 1.10.
Total cost = 3,000 + 1,773 + 8,000 = PLN 12,773. Billable hours = 168 × 0.75 = 126 h. Hourly cost = 12,773 / 126 = PLN 101.37/h. Minimum rate with 10% buffer = PLN 111.51/h.
The true cost of one billable hour — fixed costs plus contributions plus target salary, divided by billable hours. It's the floor below which you lose money.
The freelance rate calculator finds a MARKET rate to hit a net income target after tax. This one finds the INTERNAL COST BASELINE before margin and tax.
Use the freelance rate calculator, and treat this result as the floor your market price should never fall below.
Not every hour is billable — admin, marketing, and vacation also need covering. Typical utilisation is 70–80%.
Rent, tools, liability insurance, accounting, equipment depreciation, vehicle leasing.
Full contributions are roughly PLN 1,773/month in Poland; preferential rates around PLN 500–600/month.
The raw calculated cost is an exact floor with no room for demand swings or estimation errors.
No — it's the internal cost. Set your offer price higher, e.g. using the service pricing calculator.
Fewer billable hours spread the same costs thinner, raising the hourly cost.
No — it's a pre-tax cost floor for the business.
Indicative result
Calculate the minimum hourly rate to reach your target net income as a freelancer in Poland. Includes ZUS, income tax (flat/scale/lump-sum) and VAT — free online tool.
Calculate your service price based on time spent, hourly cost, extra expenses, and target margin. Free pricing calculator for freelancers and service businesses.
Calculate your break-even point (BEP) in units and revenue. Enter fixed costs, selling price and variable cost per unit — get instant results. Free online tool.
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