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UK WORK & FREELANCE CALCULATOR

Salary vs Freelance Calculator

Compare a UK salary with freelance or contracting income, then see the hourly freelance rate you would need to match the gross value of your salary, employer pension and paid holiday.

YOUR DETAILS

Compare your options

Start with your employment package, then add the freelance scenario you want to test.

Current employmentThese figures describe the job you want to compare against freelancing.
Freelance scenarioUse the rate and billable workload you realistically expect to achieve.
YOUR COMPARISON

Salary vs freelance comparison

A gross comparison of your employment package and the freelance scenario you entered.

Employment package£52,500£50,000 salary + employer pension
VS
Freelance revenue£46,000£50/hour × 20 billable hours
Employment ahead
Annual difference£6,500Employment ahead
Employment hourly value£29.79
Your freelance rate£50
Break-even rate£57.07
BREAK-EVEN RATE

What freelance rate do I need to match my salary?

This is the hourly freelance rate you would need to match the gross value of your current salary plus employer pension.

£57.07/ hour
20 billable hrs/week46 weeks/year
15 hrs/week£76.09/hr5 fewer billable hours
20 hrs/week£57.07/hrYour scenario
25 hrs/week£45.65/hr5 more billable hours
YOUR BREAKDOWN

Compare the details

Gross figures
CategoryEmploymentFreelance
Annual income / revenue£50,000£46,000
Average monthly£4,166.67£3,833.33
Employment package value£52,500-
Effective hourly figure£29.79£50
Employer pension£2,500£0
Paid holiday25 days0 days
Working / billable hours per year1,762.50920
WHAT THIS MEANS

Understanding your salary vs freelance comparison

Your employment package is aheadOn these gross assumptions, the annual difference is £6,500.

Salary and freelance income are not directly comparableEmployment can include paid holiday and employer pension contributions, while freelance income depends on your billable hours and weeks worked. Tax, expenses, sick pay and insurance can also affect the real comparison.

Learn more:Salary vs freelance: what should you compare?How much should I charge as a freelancer?Freelance rate comparisons
Calculation assumptionsSee what this comparison includesDetails
  • Employment package includes salary and employer pension.
  • Paid holiday is reflected in employment working hours.
  • Freelance revenue uses your hourly rate, billable hours and weeks worked.
  • Income Tax and National Insurance are not included in this comparison.
  • Freelance business expenses and unpaid sick leave are not included.
  • Results are estimates for comparison, not financial advice.