Pricing your work
Smart Freelancer Rate Calculator
Rate recommendations built from market demand, competition and your own positioning, so you stop undercharging without pricing yourself out of work.
GeneralistNiche expert
Thin portfolioNamed case studies
Chasing workTurning work away
Software, insurance, accountant, equipment, training.
Leave at 0 if you have not set a rate yet.
Recommended day rate
Live job-ad data · 50 adverts · 21 Sept 2026£325
Negotiable range £285 – £365 per day
Hourly equivalent
£43
Add your current rate to compare
Enter what you charge today and we will show the gap against the recommended range.
High demand with low competition supports a rate at the top of the range. Crowded skill areas narrow what clients will accept.
Your target needs more than this market pays
To hit £75,000 plus costs on 200 billable days you would need £405 a day — above the top of this band. Raise billable days, cut costs, or move to higher-paying client types.
| Factor | Your answer | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Market baseline | Software engineering | £333 |
| Experience | 6-9 years | +0% |
| Location | Fully remote (UK clients) | +0% |
| Client type | Small or mid-sized business | −3% |
| Project length | 3-6 months | +0% |
| Engagement | Outside IR35 / own company | +0% |
| Market conditions | 82% demand, 77% competition | +1% |
| Your positioning | Specialism, proof and pipeline | +0% |
How these numbers are produced
Baselines come from live UK contract job adverts (50 adverts, collected 21 Sept 2026), refreshed daily. Advertised pay sets the day-rate median, vacancy volume sets demand, and pay spread sets competition. Regional pay is measured against the UK-wide median for the same skill area. Your answer is then adjusted for experience, location, client type, contract length, engagement basis and your own positioning. This is guidance for negotiation, not a quote — day rates shown are what you invoice, before tax.