How Much Should I Charge a US Client as a Freelancer Abroad?

US clients budget in US market rates, not your local cost of living. Pricing off your home expenses is the single most common way freelancers abroad leave money on the table.

Start from the client's benchmark, not your costs Look up what a US agency or in-house hire would cost for the same scope, then position yourself against that number rather than against local freelancers.

Add a currency buffer If you invoice in USD but spend in another currency, a 5% swing wipes out a 5% margin. Build a buffer into the rate and review it quarterly.

Subtract the real cost of getting paid Platform fees, wire fees and the FX spread on conversion routinely total 3–6%. Price the gross, not the net.

Run the numbers Use the income tracker on /money to log a quoted amount in USD and see the converted figure in your home currency before you accept.

[Draft — expand with a worked example, a rate table by role, and a section on raising rates with existing clients.]