Employment Reality Check

Your day rate is more justified than you think.

Run the numbers. See what hiring you actually costs vs. hiring someone full-time.

Your working pattern
£

Your quoted day rate — what you charge clients.

4 days
46 wks

Typical freelancer: 46 (accounts for holidays, quiet periods, gaps between contracts).

Employment comparison settings
Your take-home
£—
per year after tax & NI
(self-employed, 2024/25)
Equivalent package
£—
total employer cost
to match your income
Equivalent gross salary
what an employee needs to earn to match your take-home
£—
What makes up the employment package
Base salary —
Employer NI (13.8%) —
Employer pension (5%) —
Holiday pay (28 days) —
Sick pay allowance —
Tools & equipment £1,500
Total employment package —
So next time a client says you're expensive compared to hiring someone — send them this.

Also try: Freelance Rate Calculator →