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Your rate
About translator rates
Translators are usually paid per word, but a per-word rate only works if you know how many words you can really translate in an hour. This calculator gives you the hourly floor to convert into a word rate.
Divide your hourly rate by the words you can translate per hour to find your minimum per-word rate.
Expenses to include
- CAT tools and translation memory software
- Dictionaries, glossaries and terminology subscriptions
- A computer, second screen and ergonomic setup
- Professional association fees and certification
- Proofreading or quality assurance support
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 translator set an hourly rate?
Add the costs of tools, memberships and equipment to the income you want to keep, then divide by the hours you really bill. Research, queries and proofreading are part of the job even when they are not part of the word count.
Should a translator charge hourly or per project?
Per-word pricing is the norm. Work out your words per hour after research and proofreading, and your minimum per-word rate is your hourly rate divided by that number. Use hourly pricing for editing, review and urgent work.
How many hours per week can a translator realistically bill?
Translation needs long focused stretches plus time for proofreading and client queries. Around 20 to 25 billable hours a week is a sensible planning figure.