Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How much should you charge for web development?
Calculate your freelance rate using BLS market data, your tech stack, and the complexity of each project.
Web developers in the US charge between $50 and $200 per hour, with project rates ranging from $3,000 for simple sites to $50,000+ for complex web applications. The BLS median for web developers is $80,000/year ($38.46/hr as an employee), translating to $75-$150/hr as a freelancer after overhead.
Floor
$65
per hour
Typical
$105
per hour
Premium
$175
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How we calculated this
The rates on this page are derived from BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data for the closest matching occupation code, adjusted for freelance overhead using a transparent four-step formula.
- 01
Floor calculation
Your target income × 1.153 (SE tax) + annual software and tool costs, divided by billable hours. This is the minimum rate that covers your costs.
- 02
Market benchmarking
The base rate is positioned against BLS percentile data for your metro. You see exactly where you land — p10 through p90.
- 03
Skill and complexity adjustments
Multipliers of 0.85×–1.65× reflect your skill level and the complexity of the work. High-stakes, strategic work earns more.
- 04
Regional cost adjustment
BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) adjust the final rate for local cost of living. San Francisco commands more; Austin less.
What changes the price
- Tech stack (WordPress vs React/Next.js vs Shopify)
- Number of pages/screens
- Custom design vs template
- CMS integration
- E-commerce functionality
- Third-party API integrations
- Responsive/mobile requirements
- Hosting and deployment setup
Real quote breakdowns
Shopify E-commerce Store
Custom Shopify store with theme customization, product catalog setup, payment gateway integration, and mobile optimization for a DTC brand.
Breakdown
60 hrs × $105/hr. Includes theme setup (20 hrs), product/collection logic (15 hrs), checkout customization (10 hrs), testing and QA (15 hrs).
WordPress Business Site
A 10-page WordPress site with custom Elementor build, contact forms, blog setup, and basic SEO configuration for a professional services firm.
Breakdown
45 hrs × $100/hr. Design-to-build using a premium theme. Excludes ongoing maintenance.
Custom SaaS Dashboard
React/Next.js dashboard with authentication, API integration, charting library, and role-based access. 3-month build for an early-stage startup.
Breakdown
~200 hrs × $125/hr. Scoped per feature set. Fixed-price with 2-week sprint reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge hourly or project-based for web development?
Project-based pricing works when the scope is well-defined — it aligns your incentive with efficiency and signals confidence. Hourly works for ongoing retainers, bug fixes, and exploratory work where requirements evolve. Most experienced freelancers move toward project pricing as their estimation skills improve.
Does Shopify or WordPress work pay less than custom development?
Not necessarily. Shopify and WordPress projects have lower hourly ceilings but faster execution — a $4,500 WordPress site at 45 hours earns $100/hr, same effective rate as a $25,000 custom build. Custom React/Next.js work tends to command higher rates because of the smaller talent pool.
How does experience affect web development rates?
Entry-level freelancers typically charge $40-65/hr. Mid-level developers with 3-5 years of portfolio work charge $75-120/hr. Senior developers and architects who can own a full project end-to-end often command $130-200/hr. Specialization (Shopify Plus, headless CMS, performance optimization) adds 20-40% on top.
How do I handle rush pricing for web development?
Charge a 25-50% rush premium for projects requiring delivery within half the normal timeline. Be explicit in your proposal: standard timeline vs rush timeline, and price both. Rush premiums are easier to justify when you frame them as protecting your other clients from deprioritization.
Should I charge differently if I use AI coding tools?
No. Your rate reflects the value and quality of the deliverable. AI tools increase your throughput — they are your competitive advantage and margin improvement. Clients are not paying for your keystrokes; they are paying for a working, maintainable codebase.
Related professions
The short version
- →Floor rate: $65/hr. Typical: $105/hr. Premium: $175/hr.
- →Web developers in the US charge between $50 and $200 per hour, with project rates ranging from $3,000 for simple sites to $50,000+ for complex web applications.
- →The biggest rate drivers: Tech stack (WordPress vs React/Next.js vs Shopify), Number of pages/screens, Custom design vs template.
- →Rates are based on BLS OEWS May 2024 data, adjusted for freelance overhead, skill level, complexity, and regional cost of living.