Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#1

Post by candlefather » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 3:23 PM UTC

I've got some years of experience of working in startups, and I'm confident enough to say that I can deliver complex full stack applications at a high quality in good time. I've done full stack development and devops and product work... I'm good with people (clients) and I can follow through.

I'm willing to put in the time and effort needed in marketing myself, applying and looking for jobs, and generally 'managing' myself as a freelancer.

I currently live in Israel, working full time for a startup here, I would earn about 8-9K$ monthly (before taxes of course).

What can I expect to get to as an online freelancer - what's the best case scenario (I manage to keep myself busy with high-paying projects) ? What's the average scenario for someone with my capabilities ?

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#2

Post by tmaly » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 4:04 PM UTC

If you are in the United States it works out to about 1/3. but that is on profit, so you can deduct your expenses to lower the total number.

I am not sure about the tax laws in Israel

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#3

Post by candlefather » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 4:05 PM UTC

tmaly wrote: post #2

If you are in the United States it works out to about 1/3. but that is on profit, so you can deduct your expenses to lower the total number. I am not sure about the tax laws in Israel

Sorry I didn't understand - what works to about 1/3 ?

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#4

Post by davelnewton » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 4:12 PM UTC

I'm not sure how this is answerable.

Best case is essentially unlimited, e.g., $200-500 USD/hr. If you go on a project basis, the hourly rate could end up being very, very high. Or mediocre. Or even low.

Average? We have no idea what your capabilities are, so we can't factor that into the equation. Average is probably closer to $50-125 USD.

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#5

Post by tmaly » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 4:20 PM UTC

candlefather wrote: post #3

tmaly wrote: post #2

If you are in the United States it works out to about 1/3. but that is on profit, so you can deduct your expenses to lower the total number. I am not sure about the tax laws in Israel

Sorry I didn't understand - what works to about 1/3 ?

sorry I miss read. The income tax in the US works out to about 1/3

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#6

Post by candlefather » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 4:38 PM UTC

davelnewton wrote: post #4

I'm not sure how this is answerable. Best case is essentially unlimited, e.g., $200-500 USD/hr. If you go on a project basis, the hourly rate could end up being very, very high. Or mediocre. Or even low. Average? We have no idea what your capabilities are, so we can't factor that into the equation. Average is probably closer to $50-125 USD.

Thanks ! I think you gave a great answer ! Where did you get those numbers if you don't mind me asking ?

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#7

Post by kevinherron » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 6:38 PM UTC

candlefather wrote: post #6

davelnewton wrote: post #4

I'm not sure how this is answerable. Best case is essentially unlimited, e.g., $200-500 USD/hr. If you go on a project basis, the hourly rate could end up being very, very high. Or mediocre. Or even low. Average? We have no idea what your capabilities are, so we can't factor that into the equation. Average is probably closer to $50-125 USD.

Thanks ! I think you gave a great answer ! Where did you get those numbers if you don't mind me asking ?

He pulled them out of his arse, which is exactly how freelance/consulting pricing works.

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#8

Post by wprapido » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 7:18 PM UTC

a fellow israeli here. living in spain, though. you can invoice US$50-100 an hour if you're any good

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#9

Post by davelnewton » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 10:41 PM UTC

kevinherron wrote: post #7

candlefather wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks ! I think you gave a great answer ! Where did you get those numbers if you don't mind me asking ?

He pulled them out of his arse, which is exactly how freelance/consulting pricing works.

Yup!

That's how I started billing clients initially; basically making stuff up, estimating project complexity v. time-to-implement, and so on.

Eventually they were reasonably accurate, then I stopped doing it for awhile. I've toyed with the idea of getting back into it again, but I'm a terrible hustler, and don't have the patience for it :(

Re: Ask HN: What income can I expect as an online freelance full-stack developer?

#10

Post by Calist0 » Fri, Aug 26, 2016, 11:09 PM UTC

davelnewton wrote: post #9

kevinherron wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He pulled them out of his arse, which is exactly how freelance/consulting pricing works.

Yup! That's how I started billing clients initially; basically making stuff up, estimating project complexity v. time-to-implement, and so on. Eventually they were reasonably accurate, then I stopped doing it for awhile. I've toyed with the idea of getting back into it again, but I'm a terrible hustler, and don't have the patience for it :(

How do you find clients/work? Were you contracting?

I've always been curious about how freelancers make such a high hourly, because freelance websites are full of people charging $15/hr.