Hourly Rate Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the hourly rate calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Formulas Used

Required Hourly Rate

hourly_rate = total_needed / total_billable

Gross Revenue Needed

gross_revenue = total_needed

Monthly Revenue Target

monthly_revenue = total_needed / 12

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
desired_annualDesired Annual Income(USD)80000
billable_hours_weekBillable Hours Per Week(hrs)30
working_weeksWorking Weeks Per Year(weeks)48
expense_pctBusiness Expenses Overhead(%)25
total_neededDerived value= desired_annual / (1 - expense_pct / 100)calculated
total_billableDerived value= billable_hours_week * working_weekscalculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Your Hourly Rate

Account for business expenses by inflating your desired income, then divide by total annual billable hours.

Formula

Gross Needed = Desired Income / (1 - Expense % / 100)

Hourly Rate = Gross Needed / (Billable Hours/Week x Working Weeks)

Worked Example

You want $80,000 take-home with 25% overhead, billing 30 hrs/week for 48 weeks.

desired_annual = 80000billable_hours_week = 30working_weeks = 48expense_pct = 25
  1. 01Gross needed = $80,000 / (1 - 0.25) = $106,667
  2. 02Total billable hours = 30 x 48 = 1,440
  3. 03Hourly rate = $106,667 / 1,440 = $74.07
  4. 04Monthly revenue target = $106,667 / 12 = $8,889

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Hourly Rate Calculator