Your numbers
Your rate
About social media manager rates
Social media management feels endless: posting, replying, reporting and planning all add up. A clear hourly rate shows what monthly packages must charge so you are not working for free on weekends.
Sell monthly packages with a fixed number of posts, replies and reports, and price each from your hourly rate.
Expenses to include
- Scheduling and analytics tools
- Design and video editing apps
- Stock photos, music and templates
- Ad management tools or certifications
- A phone, data plan and reliable internet
Add these up for a full year and enter the total in "Yearly expenses".
How the rate is calculated
- Revenue needed = take-home ÷ (1 − tax rate) + expenses
- Billable hours per year = hours per week × (52 − weeks off)
- Hourly rate = revenue needed ÷ billable hours per year
This is a planning estimate, not tax advice. Tax rules differ by country, so check with a local accountant for exact figures.
Frequently asked questions
How should a social media manager set an hourly rate?
Add your tools and equipment costs to the income you want to keep, then divide by the hours you can bill. Replying to comments and reporting take real time, so include them in the hours behind each package.
Should a social media manager charge hourly or per project?
Monthly packages are standard. Estimate the hours for content, community replies and reports, multiply by your hourly rate, and state limits so the scope does not creep.
How many hours per week can a social media manager realistically bill?
The work is often spread through the day, so about 25 to 30 hours a week is a reasonable planning range. Track your time for a month to see your real number.