Tax is your all-in effective rate; US self-employment tax alone is about 14% of profit. Weeks off = vacation, holidays and sick days.
Email, admin, marketing and portfolio time aren't billable; 50–70% is typical.
Health insurance and retirement savings belong here too if your take-home goal doesn't already cover them.
| Project at this rate | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spot illustration | $265 | |
| Editorial illustration | $660 | |
| Book cover | $1,975 | |
| Small mural, design + paint | $3,950 |
| Take-home / month | Hourly | Day rate |
|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | $34.38 | $275 |
| $3,000 | $48.87 | $391 |
| $4,000 | $63.36 | $507 |
| $5,000 | $77.85 | $623 |
| $6,000 | $92.35 | $739 |
| $8,000 | $121.33 | $971 |