After reading your post I also checked out FreelanceSwitch. Thanks for posting about it-very useful tools.

You make an important point! I laughed at the calculated rate I’d have to charge this year — it was in the fair three-digits!! — and realized that one of the better purposes to put this particular calculator is to get a good idea of how many billable hours a person needs to shoot for so that the “good-personal-fit rate” calculation squares with an actual “fair market rate” one also will need to establish.

Asking other local freelancers for market rates in one’s own area is almost essential, I agree. Which, yes, requires a mutual willingness to participate in a little give-and-take (answering some as well as asking others). One good way to establish local fair-market rates is to work or sub-contract with other, more established local freelancers — as I’ve been doing. It has been a great way to get a little street-wise and to network at the same time.

To start at the very beginning though, or if willing mentors are a little scarce on the ground, I’ve found some good online resources for pricing some specific services, (I’ll post them here at some point) which at least can provide some initial, ball-park figures to play with.

Unfortunately, I don’t know of a website or tool to provide this information. In my experience, the best way to get a sense of going rates for freelancers is by talking to other freelancers. I did some checking when I first put out my own shingle, and plenty of people have approached me since then with the same question. It may be more comfortable to ask people who would not consider you a direct competitor (i.e., people who have comparably strong backgrounds but not in the exact same discipline) – although I have asked some of those and they have asked me.

This information, along with the help of the freelance rate calculator, would put you in a much stronger and more confident position when you start bidding for work.