Last updated: May 2026
By using therateguide.com ("the site"), you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please stop using the site.
The Rate Guide is operated by Derek Olson, a sole proprietor based in the United States ("we," "us," or "our").
The Rate Guide provides a free day rate calculator, discipline-specific rate guides, and a store selling freelance business documents. The calculator takes your financial inputs and outputs estimated day rates for freelance creative professionals.
The Rate Guide calculator provides estimates for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, business, legal, or tax advice.
The outputs are estimates based on general assumptions about self-employment tax, health insurance costs, and market rate data. Your actual costs, tax obligations, and market rates will vary based on your specific circumstances, location, client relationships, and many other factors we cannot account for.
We make no representation or warranty that the rates produced by the calculator are accurate, appropriate, or achievable for any individual. You assume full responsibility for any business or financial decisions you make based on this tool.
Before setting your rates, consult with:
You may create an account to save rate scenarios across sessions. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials secure. Notify us immediately at hello@therateguide.com if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
You may not create accounts for others without their consent, use automated tools to create accounts, or impersonate another person.
You agree not to:
We reserve the right to terminate access for any user who violates these terms.
The contract pack and other products are sold through Gumroad. Purchases are subject to Gumroad's terms of service. All sales are final; contact hello@therateguide.com if you have an issue with a purchase and we will work to resolve it.
The documents in the contract pack are templates provided as-is. They are not legal advice and have not been reviewed by an attorney. Consult a lawyer before using any contract for significant business dealings.
The site's content, design, and code are owned by Derek Olson unless otherwise noted. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute site content without permission.
Rate data and market benchmarks cited in the rate guides are sourced from publicly available surveys and union rate cards. Sources are cited within each guide.
The site is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, express or implied. We make no warranties about the accuracy, reliability, availability, or fitness for any particular purpose of the site or its content.
We do not warrant that the site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Rate Guide and its operator shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the site or reliance on any rates, estimates, or content it provides.
Our total liability for any claim arising from use of the site shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the 12 months prior to the claim (which is $0 for users of the free calculator).
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Dakota, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of North Dakota.
We may update these terms as the site evolves. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Material changes will be noted with a revised date at the top of this page.
Questions about these terms: hello@therateguide.com