Work & Income · Freelancing
Freelance Business Consultant: what to charge
Typical inputs and market context for freelance business consultants — pre-filled calculator included.
Typical inputs for a freelance Business Consultant
| Input | Typical value |
|---|
| Target take-home income | $150,000 |
| Effective tax rate | 37% |
| % of time billable | 55% |
| Vacancy/gap rate | 20% |
| Annual business expenses | $12,000 |
| Estimated minimum rate | ~$304/hr |
Consulting rates are driven by the value you deliver and your credibility, not just your time. Senior consultants with proven ROI can charge $200-500/hr or more. Retainer arrangements (fixed monthly fee for ongoing access) are common and often more stable than project work.
Market context: Independent consultants: $100-400/hr depending on specialty and seniority. Strategy consultants with Fortune 500 experience: $250-600+/hr.
Open pre-filled calculator →
Build your exact business consultant rate
Pre-filled with typical values — adjust to match your real income target and expenses.