Freelance rate ranges by skill area
What designers, developers, copywriters, and marketers actually charge in 2026 — with the reasoning behind the numbers, not just the numbers.
Guides
Pricing and tax topics for solo freelancers, written by hand from real experience and public IRS, BLS, and Department of Labor data. Use the calculator for the math; use these for the why.
Hourly vs. project vs. retainer pricing
When each pricing model is the right call, and the failure mode each one hides.
Self-employment tax explained
The 15.3% number, why it exists, what it pays for, and the deduction nobody tells you about.
Quarterly estimated taxes for freelancers
When estimated payments are due, how much to send, and what happens when you skip a quarter.
Raising rates with existing clients
Timing, scripts, and the negotiation moves that work without burning the relationship.
Calculating your true business costs
The line items most freelancers leave off the spreadsheet — and what they cost in real dollars per year.