Freelance Illustrator Rate Calculator
Freelance illustrators charge $50–$200/hour or per-piece rates of $200–$5,000+. Editorial, children's book, and technical illustration each have different pricing norms. Licensing and usage rights significantly affect total project value.
💰 Income Breakdown
🏛️ Tax Breakdown
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File Easily with TurboTax Self-Employed →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
Add your desired annual income, business expenses, and estimated taxes. Divide by your total billable hours (working weeks × hours per week). This calculator does all of that automatically, including real federal and state tax brackets.
Should I charge hourly or project-based rates?
Both have pros and cons. Hourly rates are transparent but cap your earnings. Project rates reward efficiency and are preferred by many clients. Start with hourly to understand your time, then transition to project pricing as you gain experience.
How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer?
A safe rule of thumb is 25–30% of your gross income. Freelancers pay self-employment tax (15.3%) on top of federal and state income taxes. This calculator gives you a precise quarterly amount based on your actual situation.
What is self-employment tax?
Self-employment tax covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) — totaling 15.3%. As a W-2 employee, your employer pays half. As a freelancer, you pay both halves. The IRS lets you deduct half of this tax from your taxable income.