How do you set your day rate as a freelancer?

Setting your day rate is one of the most important decisions you make as a freelancer. Too low and you undermine your own value. Too high and you price yourself out of the market. How do you find the right balance? In this article we share a concrete framework.

Step 1: Know your costs

As a freelancer you carry costs that an employee doesn't: social contributions, insurance, pension savings, accounting, equipment and periods without work. A common mistake is dividing your net employee salary by 8 hours and using that as your day rate.

Add up your fixed monthly costs: social contributions (20 to 21% of your net taxable income, RSVZ, 2025), professional liability insurance, guaranteed income, pension savings, accountant, office costs and your desired net salary. Divide that total by the number of billable days per year. Most freelancers calculate with 200 to 220 billable days, accounting for holidays, illness and time spent on acquisition.

Step 2: Know your market

The average day rate in Belgium is around 510 euros (excl. VAT) according to the Connecting-Expertise Barometer 2024. But that average says little unless you compare it to your sector and experience level. A junior digital consultant bills an average of 350 to 500 euros per day, a mid-level consultant 500 to 700 euros, and a senior 700 to 950 euros (Connecting-Expertise Barometer, 2024). In specialized niches like SAP, cybersecurity or data engineering, rates run even higher.

Lancr offers rate benchmarks based on current market data, so you know exactly where your rate stands compared to similar profiles. No guesswork, just data.

Step 3: Think in day rates, not hourly rates

The Belgian market mainly works with day rates. A standard day is 8 hours. When you communicate your rate to clients, always do it as a day rate. This avoids misunderstandings and makes comparing with market data easier.

Also avoid offering half days for half your day rate, unless you're doing it deliberately. A half day often costs you almost as much start-up time as a full day.

Step 4: Dare to negotiate

Big companies have procurement teams whose job is to push your rate down. Your job is to know your value and defend it. Use market data as your argument: if you know the median rate for your profile is 650 euros and you're asking 600, you're in a strong position.

Tip: don't just negotiate the rate, negotiate the terms too. A longer project duration, remote work or less reporting pressure can be worth just as much as 50 euros extra per day.

Your rate is your business card

A good rate is one you stand behind, that covers your costs, reflects your market value and gives you room to grow. Not sure if you're on point? Check your benchmark on Lancr and compare with similar profiles.

Sources: NISSE (RSVZ) self-employed rates 2025; Connecting-Expertise Barometer 2024.