I'm based in California and have been out of the freelance scene for a while, but I'm eager to get back to it. I finally have a potential client asking for my rate, but I'm stuck on what to say. I've got over 10 years of experience in both front and back-end development, and I'm proficient in building everything from static sites to React and WordPress. Initially, I was thinking of quoting $60 an hour, but I'm not sure if that's still an appropriate rate today. What do you all think?
5 Answers
I wouldn't say it's cutthroat, but definitely competitive. You need to stand your ground but also be flexible. Just avoid those lowball offers—they can undervalue your work!
I've been in this game for a while, and I would say $100 is a good baseline for someone with your experience. Don't undervalue yourself!
$60 is definitely on the low end of the spectrum these days. Remember, you need to account for taxes and the unbillable hours that come with freelancing! Really, with your level of experience, you could charge more.
Taking all of your available working days into account and calculating based on what you want to earn annually can be really insightful. Just make sure to never disclose that breakdown to clients; it’ll just scare them off. Instead, use it to determine your project pricing and stick to that!
Finding clients can be tough right now. I had a painter reach out to me wanting a website, but I was too busy to take it on. Sometimes, you just gotta go for it—even if it means quoting lower to get started again.
That's a smart way to approach it! I like this method.