Eluvie Blog
How much to charge per hour as a freelancer
Calculate your freelance hourly rate with confidence. Covers cost-based calculation, market benchmarks and how to raise your rates over time.
Your hourly rate is not a number you pick, it is the result of a calculation that covers your costs, your desired income, your taxes and the reality of how many hours you actually bill. This guide walks through the math and the mindset behind a sustainable freelance rate.
The formula
Use 80 billable hours as a conservative monthly baseline. Administrative work, revisions and business development eat the rest of your available time.
What to include in monthly costs
- Software subscriptions (Adobe, Figma, project management tools)
- Equipment depreciation (camera, computer, peripherals)
- Internet and phone
- Home office costs
- Professional development and courses
- Health insurance
- sole trader registration monthly monthly business tax payment (if applicable, around R$72/month)
Market benchmarks for creative freelancers in Brazil (2026)
| Profile | Range per hour |
|---|---|
| Junior graphic designer | R$50 to R$80 |
| Mid-level graphic designer | R$90 to R$150 |
| Senior designer / art director | R$160 to R$300 |
| UI/UX designer (mid) | R$120 to R$200 |
| Social media manager | R$60 to R$120 |
| Videomaker / editor | R$80 to R$180 |
Reference ranges only. Your rate should be anchored to your actual costs and experience, not just the market average.
How to raise your rate
Raise your rate with new clients first, never mid-project. For existing clients, give 30 to 60 days notice and frame the increase around the value you have delivered. Clients who respect your work will stay.
How Eluvie helps
Eluvie helps you track revenue per project and per client, so you can see which work is actually worth your rate and make better decisions about where to invest your time.
Join Eluvie