Freelance Retainer Calculator
A 10% retainer discount sounds cheap — until you factor in guaranteed income, zero re-acquisition cost, and 100% utilization. See whether your retainer offer is worth saying yes to.
Your Rate & Hours
Retainer Terms
Business Context
Good deal — effective rate $135.00/hr
At 10% off, you earn $135.00/hr vs. your $150.00/hr target. Consider negotiating the discount down or the scope up.
Retainer vs. Project-by-Project
Project work assumes ~75% utilization — unpaid pitching, client gaps, and feast-or-famine months eat roughly 25% of potential revenue. A retainer eliminates that drag for 6 months.
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See your full profit waterfall — gross, operating, and net margin — with a freelance/small-business rating and sensitivity analysis. Know if you're struggling, viable, healthy, or strong before your next client negotiation.
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