Consulting Day Rate Calculator
From target income to defensible day rate — overhead, taxes, and realistic billable days baked in.
What you want to keep after tax.
Realistic for solo: 120–160.
Insurance, software, accounting, travel buffer.
Federal + state + SE tax on consulting income.
$2,411
Hits $180,000 take-home at 140 billable days, 35% overhead, 28% effective tax
- Half-day, day, and weekly retainer rate derivation from the same base.
- Tiered rates for advisory vs implementation vs interim leadership work.
- Project pricing translation (day rate × days × buffer).
- Reality check: flag when day rate falls below market for the discipline.
This estimate is directional while we calibrate against fresh benchmark data. The full math, range bands, and reality-check verdicts ship next.
Common questions
How many days a year should I assume are billable?▾
120–160 days is realistic for solo consultants. The rest goes to sales, admin, time off, and PD. New consultants overestimate billable days and underprice as a result.
What overhead should I add?▾
Health insurance, software, accounting, travel buffer, and a tax set-aside on every dollar you bill. Most solos run 30–45% overhead on top of target take-home.
Is day rate or project pricing better?▾
Day rate protects against scope creep. Project pricing rewards efficiency and lets you charge for outcomes. Most healthy consultancies quote project pricing internally derived from a defended day rate.
When should I raise day rates?▾
When you're booked 60+ days out, when you turn down work, or every January as a default. Solo consultants who never raise rates fall behind inflation in 2 years flat.