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Freelancing

Freelance vs Full-Time

Rate vs salary — the real comparison

Your inputs

$
$
hr

~27 hr/wk after sales, admin and gaps

$
$
%
wk

Results

FREELANCE
$91,427 effective/yr
score 61/100
FULL-TIME
$94,000 effective/yr
score 68/100
Freelance net
$91,427
1400 hr × $75
Full-time effective
$94,000
incl. $9,000 benefits
Difference
$2,574
favors full-time
Break-even rate
$77/hr
rate where both match

High confidence · 57 vs 43 — a clear separation given your priorities.

Strongest reasons

  • Full-time effective comp ≈ $94,000 vs $91,427 freelance — benefits close much of the gap.
  • Employer pays half of payroll taxes, plus health insurance.
  • Paid vacation and sick days are real money.

Main tradeoffs

  • Cap on earnings growth within a salary band.
  • Less control over schedule and projects.

What would change the result

  • If your rate falls below $77/hr → FULL-TIME becomes the better option.
  • If billable hours drop below 1437/yr → FULL-TIME becomes the better option.
  • If the salary offer rises above $91,427+ benefits → re-run this comparison.
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Assumptions: Self-employment tax modeled as +7.65% on freelance net. · Billable hours already exclude sales/admin/gap time. · No retirement match available to freelancers.. Pearto is a decision-support tool, not financial, legal or medical advice.

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