What salary for freelance in computer science?

In recent years, the world of work has been constantly evolving, marked by the emergence of a generation of independent workers. In the field of IT, as in many other sectors, the choice of freelancing is becoming increasingly attractive, offering both flexibility and opportunities. These two appealing aspects are not always easy to reconcile with traditional employment. However, the crucial question arises about income: what salary can one expect as an IT freelancer?

In this article, we will explore the factors that can influence remuneration and how to determine a fair and equitable salary when working as an IT freelancer.

1. What expenses should be taken into account when calculating the salary of an IT freelancer?

Social charges and contributions: a crucial consideration

There are several legal statuses when one wants to start freelancing. IT professionals wishing to work independently usually opt for micro-enterprise, the SASU (Simplified Joint Stock Company with a single shareholder) status, EURL (Single-Person Limited Liability Company), or portage salarial (employment portage). Regardless of the chosen status, understanding social charges and contributions is crucial for establishing a freelancer's salary.

These charges play a major role in your social protection, providing benefits such as daily allowances in case of illness or contributing to retirement savings. The choice of status will impact the calculation of these charges.

In a micro-enterprise, contributions amount to 22% of the annual turnover. For a SASU, social charges apply only to the salary you pay yourself, totalling about 75% of the remuneration. If you have opted for an EURL, social contributions correspond to 45% of your professional income as the manager of the EURL.

In calculating the salary of an IT freelancer, don't forget to consider income tax payments, which may vary depending on the freelancer's legal status. Micro-entrepreneurs will be subject to income tax, while SASUs and EURLs will be subject to corporate income tax.

Other expenses related to professional activity should also be taken into account, directly impacting the net salary of professionals who have chosen the micro-enterprise. However, for SASUs and EURLs, professional expenses are deductible, providing an opportunity to reduce the tax burden.

Special case: Portage salarial, a balance between freedom and security

Increasingly, IT freelancers are turning to portage salarial. This model offers the advantages of independent work while retaining certain aspects of employee status. In other words, freelancers under portage salarial work autonomously while benefiting from the administrative support of a portage salarial company. Like an independent worker, the freelancers under portage will need to find their own missions, although some portage salarial companies may provide suitable missions related to their field of expertise.

Concretely, the freelancer receives a monthly salary and enjoys complete social protection! In return, the portage salarial company with which the freelancer has signed an employment contract deducts a commission, usually between 5 and 10% of the freelancer's invoiced amount. Use our portage salarial simulator to calculate the gross remuneration of a salaried worker.

2. How is the salary of an IT freelancer determined?

The calculation of the salary of an IT freelancer is different from that of an employee. The turnover generated by the freelancer does not represent their net salary. After invoicing missions, they will need to deduct social charges, taxes, and any professional expenses related to their freelance activity.

To determine their salary as a freelancer, it is crucial to define their Average Daily Rate (definition of ADR). This is the average salary charged per day of work. Although ADR is not always easy to determine, it is essential to calculate the profitability of their activity.

How to calculate ADR?

For ADR calculation, it is necessary to consider the number of days worked per year, non-billable hours related to activity management, expenses related to activity, and the desired net salary. Among the expenses related to activity, social charges, professional expenses, insurance, and rent should be taken into account. ADR should incorporate these costs.

After considering these elements, you can calculate your ADR using the following formula:

(Desired IT freelancer salary + Social charges + professional expenses) / Number of billable working days

3. What are the trends in IT freelance salaries?

ADR practiced by IT freelancers can vary between €200 and €800. The profession, experience, technical skills, geographical location, and the size of the client's company can have a considerable impact on the salary of an IT freelancer.

For example, the ADR of a database administrator ranges between €260 and €650. That of a Scrum Master is between €450 and €600. That of a UI/UX Designer is between €300 and €500, and that of a Web Developer is between €300 and €500.

Freelancers demonstrating proven expertise have the opportunity to demand higher rates than beginners. IT freelance rates can also vary depending on the geographical region. Professionals based in high-demand areas like major cities can generally demand higher rates than those located in more remote regions.

4. How to find IT freelance missions while benefiting from a secure framework?

Weepo, a portage salarial company, offers a diverse selection of IT missions. These missions cover a wide range of areas such as web development, IT project management, and many more. By opting for a mission under portage salarial with Weepo, IT freelancers can access interesting professional opportunities while benefiting from the social protection of employee status.

In conclusion, determining the fair and equitable salary of an IT freelancer involves evaluating various factors, including experience, geographical location, and expenses related to activity. Portage salarial emerges as an attractive solution, offering IT professionals the possibility to reconcile autonomy and salary security. Weepo positions itself as a trusted partner, providing diverse IT missions to freelancers seeking enriching opportunities in the field of IT.