How to read these rates
Employee references are annual US median wages for the cited BLS occupation, which may cover several career paths. Replacement targets add $15,000 for benefits and $20,000 for business costs, then divide by 1,200 billable hours a year. They show what you would need to charge, not what customers or platforms will pay. Everyday shift and gig roles show no inferred freelance rate: compare your actual worker receipts after costs and unpaid time. Annual figures are rounded to the nearest $1,000 and hourly figures to the nearest dollar. Figures are before personal taxes, with no percentage fees. Open a guide to see the source or adjust the assumptions in the calculator.
Manufacturing & robotics
- Employee reference
- $104K/yr
- Replacement target
- $116/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers
Develop systems that combine mechanics, electronics, and software. Make interface assumptions and verification plans explicit so a prototype's apparent function does not conceal unresolved mechanical or electrical constraints.
View career → Mechatronics Engineer
Media & entertainment
- Employee reference
- $75K/yr
- Replacement target
- $92/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Film and video editors
Prepare final production packages that meet named technical specifications through format checks, asset completeness, labeling, and documented delivery validation.
View career → Media delivery specialist
Media & entertainment
- Employee reference
- $75K/yr
- Replacement target
- $92/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Film and video editors
Organize incoming footage and production metadata through verified transfers, consistent naming, and documented checks that support later editorial work.
View career → Media ingest technician
Negotiation & communication coaching
- Employee reference
- $69K/yr
- Replacement target
- $87/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Training and development specialists
Prepares spokespeople for interviews through message clarification, realistic questioning, and feedback that encourages accurate responses rather than evasion or unsupported claims.
View career → Media interview trainer
Healthcare technology
- Employee reference
- $84K/yr
- Replacement target
- $99/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Accountants and auditors
Reviews coding evidence and documentation against approved coding requirements within appropriate credentials and supervision, distinguishing a review finding from an unsupported claim about clinical care.
View career → Medical coding auditor
Healthcare technology
- Employee reference
- $136K/yr
- Replacement target
- $142/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Software Developers
Builds embedded software for medical devices under appropriate development controls, connecting requirements, tests, traceability, and qualified safety or regulatory review rather than informal prototyping alone.
View career → Medical device firmware engineer
Healthcare technology
- Employee reference
- $79K/yr
- Replacement target
- $95/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Market research analysts
Studies how intended users interact with medical-device interfaces, using approved research methods and qualified oversight appropriate to the product, context, and participants.
View career → Medical device UX researcher
Healthcare technology
- Employee reference
- $120K/yr
- Replacement target
- $129/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Data Scientists
Builds imaging-analysis software under appropriate development controls, preserving data provenance, evaluation limits, and qualified review of clinical claims or intended use.
View career → Medical imaging AI engineer
Healthcare technology
- Employee reference
- $104K/yr
- Replacement target
- $116/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Tests healthcare software against documented requirements, focusing on reliable behavior, access, and traceability while distinguishing technical test evidence from clinical safety validation.
View career → Medical software QA analyst
Business & leadership coaching
- Employee reference
- $69K/yr
- Replacement target
- $87/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Training and development specialists
Designs and leads group discussions that produce useful decisions or shared understanding, aligning participation, preparation, time, and outputs with the meeting's actual purpose.
View career → Meeting facilitator
Fintech & financial services
- Employee reference
- $102K/yr
- Replacement target
- $114/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Management analysts
Guides merchants through approved account onboarding, documentation, integration readiness, and operational questions while keeping underwriting and compliance decisions with authorized reviewers.
View career → Merchant onboarding specialist
Life sciences & biotech
- Employee reference
- $127K/yr
- Replacement target
- $135/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Biochemists and Biophysicists
Study small-molecule measurement patterns in biological research. Separate analytical effects, uncertain identifications, and biological hypotheses so teams understand what a metabolomics comparison can and cannot establish.
View career → Metabolomics Scientist
Life sciences & biotech
- Employee reference
- $88K/yr
- Replacement target
- $102/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Microbiologists
Study microbial community patterns using approved research datasets and careful analysis. Examine sampling, contamination, compositional effects, and study design before interpreting associations as evidence of biological or clinical function.
View career → Microbiome Research Scientist
Energy & clean technology
- Employee reference
- $121K/yr
- Replacement target
- $130/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Electrical Engineers
Develop engineering studies for coordinated local energy resources and loads. Compare operating scenarios and interfaces while preserving licensed responsibility for electrical protection, control validation, and any connection to real infrastructure.
View career → Microgrid Engineer
Nutrition & wellness coaching
- Employee reference
- $64K/yr
- Replacement target
- $83/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Health Education Specialists
Leads mindfulness learning and practice within the instructor's training, using consent, accessible participation, and clear boundaries around psychotherapy or treatment claims.
View career → Mindfulness instructor
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $73K/yr
- Replacement target
- $90/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Sound engineering technicians
Balance recorded tracks into a coherent mix that translates across listening environments and delivery requirements.
View career → Mixing engineer
Cross-industry
- Employee reference
- $136K/yr
- Replacement target
- $142/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Software Developers
Create applications people can use away from a desk. Mobile development combines device interactions, limited connectivity, accessible screens, and release processes to support a dependable experience in changing conditions.
View career → Mobile App Developer
Fitness & sport coaching
- Employee reference
- $47K/yr
- Replacement target
- $68/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Fitness Trainers and Instructors
Helps clients practice movement range and control for everyday activity or sport, working within exercise qualifications and referring pain or injury concerns appropriately.
View career → Mobility coach
Transport & logistics
- Employee reference
- $104K/yr
- Replacement target
- $116/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Web and digital interface designers
Designs transport-service experiences around passenger needs, accessibility, operational constraints, and coordination between digital information and real-world journeys.
View career → Mobility service designer
Software & AI
- Employee reference
- $120K/yr
- Replacement target
- $129/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Data Scientists
Improve model-serving efficiency within defined evaluation and hardware constraints. Compare latency, memory, cost, and quality so an optimization does not silently compromise the application's important behaviors or supported input range.
View career → Model Optimization Engineer
Fintech & financial services
- Employee reference
- $120K/yr
- Replacement target
- $129/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Data Scientists
Examines financial models for conceptual weaknesses, data issues, and misuse, documenting validation evidence and limitations for independent review and governance.
View career → Model risk analyst
Life sciences & biotech
- Employee reference
- $127K/yr
- Replacement target
- $135/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Biochemists and Biophysicists
Investigate biological mechanisms through appropriately supervised studies and reproducible analysis. Connect molecular measurements with a clear research question while distinguishing observed associations from evidence about mechanism or application.
View career → Molecular Biology Research Scientist
Public sector & nonprofit
- Employee reference
- $89K/yr
- Replacement target
- $103/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Operations Research Analysts
Design practical evidence-collection and review processes that connect a program's intended outcomes to usable indicators, reporting decisions, and acknowledged limits on interpretation.
View career → Monitoring and evaluation specialist
Cross-industry
- Employee reference
- $102K/yr
- Replacement target
- $114/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Special effects artists and animators
A motion designer uses movement, timing, and visual storytelling to explain ideas or support a brand. Strong work makes information easier to follow while fitting the production and distribution context.
View career → Motion designer
Transport & logistics
- Employee reference
- $19/hr
- $40K/yr reference
- Gig / shift income
- Check net pay
- Use receipts, costs, and all hours
BLS · May 2025 · Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Moving crew workers protect, load, and unload household or business goods. A customer's moving bill covers more than one crew member's labor pay.
View career → Moving crew worker
Content creation
- Employee reference
- $78K/yr
- Replacement target
- $94/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Editors
Organize source content, language handoffs, review responsibilities, and release timing so localized material remains consistent and maintainable.
View career → Multilingual content coordinator
Game development
- Employee reference
- $136K/yr
- Replacement target
- $142/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Software Developers
Build server-side services for game accounts, sessions, and persistent state with clear rules for authorization, retries, and operational visibility.
View career → Multiplayer backend engineer
Public sector & nonprofit
- Employee reference
- $103K/yr
- Replacement target
- $115/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Financial and investment analysts
Examine public-budget assumptions, classifications, and scenarios so a municipal team can understand variances and document the financial implications of proposed choices.
View career → Municipal budget analyst
Education & learning
- Employee reference
- $77K/yr
- Replacement target
- $94/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Instructional Coordinators
Turn collection themes and interpretation goals into learning activities that fit visitor interests, available spaces, and opportunities for meaningful participation.
View career → Museum learning producer
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $74K/yr
- Replacement target
- $91/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Music Directors and Composers
Adapt musical material for a defined ensemble or production purpose while preserving its essential structure and addressing range, texture, balance, and readable performance materials.
View career → Music arranger
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $102K/yr
- Replacement target
- $114/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Management analysts
Prepare release packages and reconcile delivery issues so recordings and accompanying information reach intended distribution channels consistently.
View career → Music distribution specialist
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $102K/yr
- Replacement target
- $114/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Management analysts
Track music-use requests, rights information, approvals, and deadlines so productions can manage permission workflows consistently.
View career → Music licensing coordinator
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $90K/yr
- Replacement target
- $104/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Technical writers
Maintain accurate track credits, identifiers, versions, and release information so catalogs can be searched and distributed reliably.
View career → Music metadata specialist
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $78K/yr
- Replacement target
- $94/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Editors
Check written scores and parts for consistency, readability, and alignment with supplied musical instructions before rehearsal or publication.
View career → Music notation editor
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $74K/yr
- Replacement target
- $91/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Music Directors and Composers
Turn rough song demos into planned recording sessions, coherent arrangements, and organized production handoffs.
View career → Music producer
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $102K/yr
- Replacement target
- $114/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Project management specialists
Coordinate release assets, approvals, distribution deadlines, and team handoffs so a recording launch has a realistic execution plan.
View career → Music release coordinator
Music & audio
- Employee reference
- $102K/yr
- Replacement target
- $114/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Project management specialists
Coordinate music selections and clearance workflows so creative choices align with production needs, budgets, and documented approvals.
View career → Music supervisor
Physical sciences
- Employee reference
- $118K/yr
- Replacement target
- $127/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Materials Scientists
Study materials whose small-scale structure changes useful properties. Evaluate characterization, reproducibility, and handling constraints before interpreting a laboratory observation as evidence for a practical application.
View career → Nanomaterials Scientist
Negotiation & communication coaching
- Employee reference
- $69K/yr
- Replacement target
- $87/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Training and development specialists
Helps clients prepare for negotiations by clarifying interests, alternatives, evidence, and communication choices without taking over decisions or guaranteeing agreement.
View career → Negotiation coach
Cross-industry
- Employee reference
- $134K/yr
- Replacement target
- $141/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Computer Network Architects
Design and troubleshoot the connections that let people and systems communicate. Network engineers consider routing, segmentation, resilience, and visibility so connectivity remains understandable and recoverable when equipment or configuration changes fail.
View career → Network Engineer
Cybersecurity & IT
- Employee reference
- $134K/yr
- Replacement target
- $141/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Computer Network Architects
Develop and verify authorized network security configurations and design evidence. Connect segmentation, access paths, logging, and operational constraints without treating a rule review as proof that every threat is controlled.
View career → Network Security Engineer
Content writing
- Employee reference
- $77K/yr
- Replacement target
- $93/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Writers and authors
Write focused newsletter messages that connect a defined editorial or commercial purpose to a clear reader benefit and next action.
View career → Newsletter copywriter
Cross-industry
- Employee reference
- $106K/yr
- Replacement target
- $117/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Computer Systems Analysts
Create useful applications and workflows with visual development tools. The value lies in sound process design, sensible data structures, permissions, and a handover that lets the client maintain everyday operations.
View career → No Code Developer
Public sector & nonprofit
- Employee reference
- $75K/yr
- Replacement target
- $91/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Public relations specialists
Coordinate an organization's public messages around its mission, services, and evidence while maintaining accurate claims and clear routes for stakeholder or media questions.
View career → Nonprofit communications specialist
Public sector & nonprofit
- Employee reference
- $84K/yr
- Replacement target
- $99/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Accountants and auditors
Maintain and explain a nonprofit's financial records, reporting categories, and recurring controls within the responsibilities and review arrangements assigned by the organization.
View career → Nonprofit finance officer
Public sector & nonprofit
- Employee reference
- $89K/yr
- Replacement target
- $103/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Operations Research Analysts
Analyze program evidence to help a nonprofit distinguish activities, outputs, outcomes, and uncertainties rather than treating every reported improvement as a direct organizational effect.
View career → Nonprofit impact analyst
Public sector & nonprofit
- Employee reference
- $75K/yr
- Replacement target
- $91/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Public relations specialists
Organize member onboarding, benefits information, participation activities, and routine queries so an association can maintain a clear and manageable relationship with its members.
View career → Nonprofit membership coordinator
Public sector & nonprofit
- Employee reference
- $102K/yr
- Replacement target
- $114/hr
- Income goal, not available pay
BLS · May 2025 · Project management specialists
Coordinate a nonprofit program's activities, participant information, responsibilities, and reporting schedule so the organization can deliver its stated service consistently.
View career → Nonprofit program coordinator