TJM: Complete Guide to Calculating and Optimising Your Average Daily Rate

The TJM (taux journalier moyen, or average daily rate) is the financial compass of every freelance consultant. Setting the right rate from the start is key to building a sustainable practice. Many consultants get this wrong: they forget to account for gaps between assignments, underestimate their costs, or don't know how to defend their rate in front of a client. This complete guide explains how to calculate your daily rate, which factors influence it, and how wage portage can optimise your net income.

TJM (average daily rate): the TJM is the daily rate a consultant or freelancer charges their client for a day's work, expressed excluding VAT. It is calculated by dividing the annual target income (net plus costs) by the estimated number of billable days in the year, typically between 150 and 180 days.

Key takeaways:

• A TJM is calculated by starting from your target net income, adding all professional costs, then dividing by the number of billable days.
• With €4,000 net per month and €30,000 in annual costs, the minimum TJM is around €487 excl. VAT per day for 160 billable days.
• Sector, experience, and geographic location can drive daily rates from €300 to over €1,500 per day.
• Wage portage lets you combine freelance freedom with full employee social protection while keeping your TJM.
• Reviewing your TJM every year is essential to stay aligned with market rates.

What is a TJM and why does it matter for freelancers?

The TJM (taux journalier moyen, or average daily rate) refers to the daily rate a consultant or freelancer charges their client for a day's work. It is the standard billing unit in the world of consulting and intellectual services. Unlike traditional employment where compensation is fixed and monthly, an independent consultant sets their daily rate based on their expertise, industry sector, market conditions, and the full cost of running their business. The TJM is always expressed excluding VAT and forms the basis of billing.

It varies considerably by profile: a junior developer may start at around €300 to €400 per day, while a senior consultant in strategy or digital transformation can exceed €1,000 or even €1,500 per day. Getting the TJM right matters for two reasons: it must cover all your real costs, including periods without assignments, and it must reflect your market value to stay competitive. For the full picture on wage portage and how it affects your daily rate, our overview page covers it all.

How to calculate your TJM: the 4-step method

Calculating your daily rate rests on a simple formula, but it requires accounting for all the financial parameters of your activity. The first step is to define your target monthly net income, taking into account your real personal expenses: rent, food, leisure, savings, and pension. The second step is to add up all your annual professional costs: social contributions (between 40 and 55% of gross income depending on your status), management fees, insurance, equipment, and training.

The third step is to estimate the number of billable days in the year. A year contains around 220 working days, but after deducting holidays, gaps between assignments, and non-billable days, a realistic figure is between 150 and 180 days. The fourth step applies the formula: TJM = (Annual net income + Annual costs) / Number of billable days. Concrete example: targeting €4,000 net per month (€48,000 per year) with €30,000 in annual costs, for 160 billable days, your minimum TJM is €487 excl. VAT per day. For more on deducting professional costs, see our guide on professional expenses in wage portage. According to URSSAF, social contributions for a wage portage employee represent approximately 45 to 55% of gross salary, a key parameter for your calculation.

What factors influence the TJM level in France?

The TJM is not fixed in absolute terms: it results from the combination of several factors specific to each consultant. The business sector is the primary driver. Finance, IT, and strategy command the highest rates, between €600 and €1,500 per day, while marketing or human resources typically fall between €300 and €600. Experience and rare skills are the second factor. A cybersecurity or artificial intelligence expert can command a premium TJM well above the averages for their sector.

Geographic location also plays a significant role: Paris and the Ile-de-France region show rates 20 to 30% higher than the rest of France. The duration and nature of the assignment also influence negotiation: long missions of over three months may justify a slight reduction, while short or urgent missions allow a premium rate. Finally, the consultant's legal structure affects their costs and therefore their minimum TJM. The service-public.fr website sets out the rules applicable to each status.

TJM and wage portage: how does it work?

Wage portage is an increasingly popular solution for independent consultants because it allows them to retain the freedom of freelancing while benefiting from employee social protection. In wage portage, you negotiate your TJM directly with your clients, exactly like a classic freelancer. The portage company then converts your revenue into a salary after deducting management fees (generally between 5 and 10% of revenue excl. VAT) and social contributions. In return, you receive full Social Security coverage, unemployment insurance (ARE), mutual health coverage, and a pension on the general scheme. For the full breakdown of these deductions (management fees, social charges) with a worked example, see our guide on the cost of wage portage.

The minimum recommended TJM for wage portage to be financially viable is €250 to €300 per day, in order to cover management fees and social contributions while generating a satisfactory net salary. This status is particularly attractive for consultants billing above €400 per day, since optimising through professional expenses (up to 30% of the gross base) can represent several thousand euros of annual gain. See our detailed article on wage portage salary simulation. Under Légifrance, the wage portage employment contract is governed by the national collective agreement for wage portage.

How to negotiate your TJM and the mistakes to avoid

Setting your TJM is one thing; defending it in front of a client is another. To approach the negotiation calmly, start by knowing the market, consulting the annual TJM benchmarks published by platforms such as Malt, Comet, or Freelance.com. Then argue on value delivered, not on your costs: highlight concrete results from past assignments rather than your level of expenses. Always build in a negotiating margin by proposing a TJM slightly above your real minimum.

The classic mistakes to avoid are: failing to include gaps between assignments in your calculation (they often represent one to two months per year), forgetting social contributions, not budgeting for ongoing training, proposing a rate too low to win a first assignment, and not reviewing your TJM every year. A consultant who does not adjust their rate risks seeing their purchasing power erode gradually in the face of inflation. An annual review, ideally at the start of the year, is an indispensable practice. To understand the legal framework governing your relationship with clients, our article on the subordination relationship in wage portage gives the full picture.

Frequently asked questions about TJM and wage portage

What is the average TJM for a freelance consultant in France in 2026?

The average daily rate in France varies by sector and experience. In IT, it ranges from €400 to €800 per day for an intermediate to senior profile. In strategy and management, it often exceeds €700. Junior profiles typically start between €250 and €400, while recognised experts in niche fields (AI, cybersecurity, data) can bill over €1,200 per day.

Should VAT be included in the TJM quoted to clients?

No, the TJM is always expressed excluding VAT. VAT (20% for most intellectual services) is added on top in the final invoice. The pre-VAT amount is what you use as the basis for calculating your income and costs. If your client is registered for VAT, they will reclaim it in full, meaning your pre-VAT TJM is the only real negotiation parameter.

How does wage portage affect the minimum TJM to charge?

In wage portage, your TJM must cover the portage company's management fees (5 to 10% of revenue excl. VAT) on top of standard social contributions. The minimum recommended TJM is therefore €250 to €300 per day to generate a satisfactory net salary. Below this threshold, wage portage may become less advantageous than other structures such as a micro-business.

How many billable days should a freelancer plan for each year?

A year contains 365 days of which around 220 are working days. After deducting holidays (25 days), gaps between assignments, prospecting days, and training time, most freelance consultants bill between 150 and 180 days per year. It is this realistic range that should underpin the TJM calculation to avoid underestimating financial needs.

Can you raise your TJM without losing existing clients?

Yes, provided the transition is well prepared. It is recommended to notify clients at least one to two months before the increase, to argue on value added and new skills acquired, and to phase the increase if necessary. A 10 to 15% annual increase is generally well accepted by satisfied clients. New assignments are also an opportunity to apply the new rate directly without a difficult negotiation.

Key points to remember

• Core formula: TJM = (Annual net income + Annual costs) / Realistic number of billable days.
• 2026 reference: with €4,000 net/month and 160 billable days, the minimum TJM is €487 excl. VAT per day.
• Key drivers: sector, experience, location, and assignment type all significantly influence the TJM you can charge.
• Wage portage: the minimum recommended TJM is €250 to €300/day for wage portage to be financially viable.
• Annual review: revisit your TJM every year to stay aligned with the market and protect your purchasing power.
• Go further: wage portage with Weepo helps you optimise both your TJM and your net income.

Further reading

• Wage portage cost & fees 2026: complete guide
• Professional Expenses in Wage Portage: Complete 2026 Guide
• Wage portage salary simulation: step-by-step guide
• Subordination relationship in wage portage: definition and rules