Business Tools
Retainer vs. Hourly Rate Calculator
Enter your standard hourly rate, expected monthly hours, and a proposed retainer to compare the two.
$3,000
equivalent at your standard rate
$125.00/hr
effective rate under proposed retainer
The proposed retainer implies a discount of 16.7% versus your standard hourly rate — useful for deciding whether a flat retainer is worth trading predictability for.
How to use this tool
- 1Enter your standard hourly rate.
- 2Enter expected hours per month.
- 3Enter the proposed retainer amount.
- 4See the effective hourly rate and discount/premium.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I accept a discount for a retainer?+
Predictable recurring revenue and guaranteed hours can be worth trading some per-hour rate for, especially if it reduces gaps between projects.