FREELANCE RATE GUIDE — TOP BENCHMARKS (SIDELEDGER APP: 180 GIG TYPES, 2026)
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Conservative = entry / smaller markets · Market = typical experienced freelancer
Premium = specialist / rush / major metro (CA, NY, DC, MA, WA adjust +10–15%)

Categories and gigs listed A–Z. Use SideLedger calculator or invoice dropdown for
live regional adjustment.

── BUSINESS & OPS ───────────────────────────────────────────────
Bookkeeper                 $30–$75/hr     market $50/hr
Consultant                 $75–$200/hr    market $125/hr
Handyman (Tech Setup)      $35–$85/hr     market $55/hr
Project Manager            $45–$115/hr    market $75/hr
Social Media Manager       $30–$80/hr     market $50/hr
Virtual Assistant          $18–$50/hr     market $30/hr

── DESIGN ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3D Artist                  $45–$120/hr    market $75/hr
Brand Strategist           $55–$140/hr    market $90/hr
Graphic Designer           $35–$90/hr     market $55/hr
Illustrator                $40–$100/hr    market $65/hr

── DEVELOPMENT ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
Data Analyst               $40–$110/hr    market $70/hr
DevOps Engineer            $65–$160/hr    market $105/hr
Mobile App Developer       $55–$140/hr    market $90/hr
UX Designer                $50–$130/hr    market $85/hr
Web Developer              $45–$120/hr    market $75/hr
WordPress Developer        $35–$95/hr     market $60/hr

── EDUCATION ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Tutor (Online)             $25–$75/hr     market $45/hr

── HOME & LAWN ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
House Cleaning             $25–$50/hr     market $35/hr
Junk Removal               $50–$110/hr    market $75/hr
Lawn Care / Landscaping    $25–$60/hr     market $40/hr
Pool Maintenance           $30–$75/hr     market $50/hr
Pressure Washing           $40–$90/hr     market $65/hr
Snow Removal               $35–$80/hr     market $55/hr

── MEDIA & AUDIO ────────────────────────────────────────────────
Music Producer             $50–$150/hr    market $85/hr
Photographer               $75–$200/hr    market $125/hr
Podcast Editor             $35–$85/hr     market $55/hr
Video Editor               $40–$100/hr    market $65/hr
Voice Over Artist          $350–$575/project (typical package)

── PERSONAL SERVICES ────────────────────────────────────────────
Car Detailing              $35–$85/hr     market $55/hr
Catering / Personal Chef   $45–$120/hr    market $75/hr
Dog Walking / Pet Sitting  $18–$45/hr     market $28/hr
Event DJ                   $75–$200/hr    market $125/hr
Fitness Trainer (In-Person) $40–$100/hr  market $65/hr
Hair Stylist / Mobile Barber $40–$100/hr  market $65/hr
Massage Therapist (Mobile) $60–$130/hr    market $90/hr

── TRADES & REPAIR ──────────────────────────────────────────────
Carpenter                  $40–$95/hr     market $65/hr
Electrician                $60–$130/hr    market $90/hr
Fence Installation         $35–$80/hr     market $55/hr
Handyman (General)         $35–$85/hr     market $55/hr
HVAC Technician            $65–$150/hr    market $100/hr
Mobile Mechanic            $45–$110/hr    market $75/hr
Painter                    $35–$85/hr     market $55/hr
Plumber (Contractor)       $65–$140/hr    market $95/hr
Roofing (Small Jobs)       $45–$115/hr    market $75/hr

── TRANSPORT & GIGS ─────────────────────────────────────────────
Delivery Driver (Gig)      $15–$32/hr     market $22/hr (+ mileage)
Moving / Hauling           $40–$95/hr     market $65/hr
Rideshare Driver           $15–$35/hr     market $24/hr (+ tips)

── WRITING & CONTENT ────────────────────────────────────────────
Copywriter                 $0.15–$0.45/word   market $0.25/word
Email Marketing Specialist $35–$85/hr     market $55/hr
SEO Specialist             $40–$110/hr    market $70/hr
Translator                 $0.12–$0.35/word   market $0.20/word

HOW TO PRICE YOURSELF
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1. Find your gig above → start at Market rate for your area.
2. Run rate-worksheet.txt — your MINIMUM rate must cover taxes + expenses.
3. If minimum > market, raise prices or cut expenses (don't undercharge).
4. Bill hourly gigs in SideLedger with Hours; flat deliverables with Qty.

Regional multipliers (examples):
  California, New York, DC, Massachusetts, Washington  ~×1.15
  Texas, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania               ~×1.00
  Mississippi, West Virginia, Wyoming                   ~×0.87

Free live calculator: [your-site]/calculator.html