I’ll walk you through the exact method I used (and now teach) to calculate your freelance writing rates
The MeltzerSeltzer Team
Feeling unsure about what to charge as a freelance writer? You’re not alone. There’s no shortage of advice online—from YouTube tutorials to blog posts galore. But all that info can get overwhelming fast. You end up with 20 tabs open, none of them helping you actually do the math.
This guide cuts through the noise. I’ll walk you through the exact method I used (and now teach) to calculate your freelance writing rates—one that’s grounded in your real-life needs, not internet hypotheticals.
Let’s talk mindset first.
Before You Set Your Rates, You Need a Reality Check
I know pitching your rates can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve never earned more than $20/hour before. When I first started freelancing, I was still a barista—making $16/hour plus tips.
So when I started charging $20/hour for my writing, I was terrified. It felt like I was asking for something outrageous, like I was overselling myself.
In reality, I wasn’t charging nearly enough. I didn’t have a strategy—I just picked a number that felt like a big leap from where I was.
If that’s you? Know this: just because one or two potential clients can’t afford your rate doesn’t mean you’re charging too much.
For perspective: I now charge $100–$150/hour. It took me nearly six years to get here, but you don’t have to wait that long.
Let’s walk through the method I recommend for setting rates that work for you.
Step 1: Budget
Before you pitch a single client, you need a starting point rooted in reality.
Make a realistic monthly budget. What do you actually spend? How much do you need to cover your lifestyle and necessities?
Head to the Financial Management Dashboard or pull out your current budget. Fill in your:
- Personal expenses
- Business expenses
The totals from these will give you the minimum amount you need to earn each month—and help you set a sustainable baseline hourly rate.
Step 2: Set Your Billable Hours
How many hours per week/month do you want to work?
Keep in mind: you can’t bill for everything. Tasks like bookkeeping, pitching, and emailing clients eat into your time but don’t bring in direct income.
So your billable hours = time spent on client work only.
To account for admin time, subtract 1–5 hours per week from your total availability.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Full-time freelancers: Aim for 120 billable hours/month or less
- Part-time freelancers: Keep it to 60 billable hours/month or less
This work can be mentally intense. Even if you're working fewer hours than a traditional job, burnout can sneak up fast.
Step 3: Calculate Your Baseline Hourly Rate
Inside the Financial Management Dashboard, there’s a built-in “Rates Calculator.” Input your desired weekly billable hours, and it’ll do the math for you.
Prefer to calculate manually? Use this equation:
([desired monthly income] + 30% for taxes) / [billable hours] = baseline hourly rate
If you’re new to freelancing, this is likely the rate you’ll use for your first few clients. It’s the bare minimum you need to sustain your life.
Want to save, invest, pay off debt, or buy that $7 matcha without guilt? Add those goals to your budget so they’re factored into your rate.
If you’ve got more experience under your belt, this is where you can layer in market research and value-based pricing. I go deep on that inside Pop Club, my 1:1 coaching, and Camp Moxie.
Try This:
If you’re ready to set your rates, download the Financial Management Dashboard and follow these steps:
- Fill out the personal expenses tab
- Fill out the business expenses tab
- Add your debts to the debt tracker
- Head to the Rates Calculator tab to get your number
The Juicy Stuff
This tool—the Financial Management Template—has helped so many writers I coach get real about their money.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Set your rates with the automated calculator
- Create personal and business budgets in one spot
- Track your debt without shame
- Get a bird’s-eye view of your financial needs—no spreadsheets from scratch
💬 FAQ: Freelance Writing Rates
What if my calculated rate feels too high for the market?
Check your budget and billable hours first. If they’re accurate, the market may not be underpaying—it might just mean you need to find better-fit clients.
Can I use this method if I’m a content strategist or editor, not a writer?
Yes! The budget + billable hours formula applies to any service-based freelance business.
Should I charge per hour or per project?
Start with hourly to anchor your pricing, then explore project-based or value-based pricing as you gain confidence. I teach this inside Pop Club and Camp Moxie too.