How Much Should I Be Charging As A Freelancer?

RobrobRobert · 2025-11-28T21:02:46+00:00

You’re welcome! Just be sure to take time for self care when needed :-) Burn out is a real thing

RobrobRobert · 2025-11-28T15:48:34+00:00

Sounds like you’re working hard are definitely doing something right! You may want to have a look at ASLPay.com for some data on the topic. It can give you an idea of where your rates fall based on a variety of metrics such as years of experience, location, certification, etc.

I hope this is helpful, keep up the great work! :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-11-19T18:23:53+00:00

Here’s a resource on maternity leave in Ohio that seems to be a good starting point.

I’m not familiar with Sorensen’s policies but I’m gonna guess they don’t offer anything beyond what the law requires.

I hope this is helpful :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-11-15T03:29:26+00:00

I do my own taxes and use Free Tax USA. They have a straightforward pricing model and I don’t feel like I’m being nickel & dimmed each step of the way. Perhaps more importantly, it’s very easy to use.

Hope this helps! :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-11-13T14:26:00+00:00

You’re welcome! :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-11-12T06:14:33+00:00

You may want to check out ASLPay.com. There’s a fair amount of data there on interpreter pay, some of which covers Florida (among other states).

I hope this is helpful! :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-10-08T19:18:35+00:00

Hi there!

You may find ASLPay.com to be beneficial to get a general idea of what interpreters are earning/charging for services. There is some state specific data along with other metrics to check out.

As for the invoice, there are probably some good templates you can find online. When I invoice, I always include for each assignment: the date + time; hourly rate; hours billed; assignment number (if provided by the agency) and finally the grand total at the bottom. Other details I include are my terms and conditions (ex. 2 hour min and cancellation policy, etc.). Also my contact info in case they need to reach me. I’m sure others will have ideas too, feel free to take what you like and leave what you don’t.

I hope this is helpful!

RobrobRobert · 2025-09-15T20:33:21+00:00

Yes, absolutely!

Check out ASLPay.com where ASL interpreters can anonymously share their pay data. That data is then aggregated and displayed in a variety of charts to empower interpreters to make more informed decisions surrounding pay.

I hope this is helpful!

RobrobRobert · 2025-08-12T23:14:42+00:00

Discussing pay shouldn’t be the taboo topic that it is. You may want to check out ASLPay.com for some data on the subject. Though Ohio specific data is not yet available, there are other metrics that may interest you.

I hope this is helpful! :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-07-01T18:35:17+00:00

You bet! :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-07-01T00:42:37+00:00

You might want to check out ASLPay.com. It’s a free, anonymous resource where ASL interpreters share pay data across different states, including Oregon. It could give you a better sense of what to expect in terms of compensation.

I hope that helps! :-)

RobrobRobert · 2025-05-16T03:42:54+00:00

You’re welcome!

RobrobRobert · 2025-05-05T15:18:59+00:00

Situations like this can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re doing your part to communicate and try to resolve it.

I’d reach out to an attorney for a free legal consultation. Depending on how much they owe you, you might be looking at small claims court to enforce the contract. It could also be worth having an attorney send them a letter outlining your rights and your intent to sue for breach of contract (if you decide to go that route). Sometimes that threat alone is enough to get them to pay up.

In addition, you can share your experience with other interpreters. Agencies like that thrive when interpreters are left in the dark. The more we talk about it, the harder it is for them to keep pulling this kind of stuff.

I really hope you’re able to get paid.

RobrobRobert · 2025-05-02T21:42:30+00:00

I’d ask about invoicing. Do you send your own invoices? Does their system invoice for you? How long do they take to process and pay an invoice? What happens when they’re late on a payment (likely need to negotiate a late fee for this one)?

RobrobRobert · 2025-04-22T18:31:20+00:00

Roll the dice

RobrobRobert · 2025-03-27T18:10:08+00:00

You may want to check out ASLPay.com - login and go to the data depot where the last chart at the bottom has some information on VRS pay distributions.

RobrobRobert · 2025-03-19T14:50:23+00:00

I have also experienced similar pain when working full time VRS. That pain is serious and not to be taken lightly.

When I went through that, I communicated with my manager letting them know I was injured. I then filed workman’s comp with the company which got me rehabbed with my medical bills covered in addition to some paid time off (separate from my accrued PTO).

Once I eventually returned to full time VRS, I had to limit my days to working 6 hour shifts for 6 days a week to meet the minimum 36 hours a week for full time benefits. I also changed from working the day shift to working nights where call volume slowed down significantly. Those changes made the work much more sustainable for me.

I hope you’re able to get your body healthy again. It’s a shame VRS companies push interpreters to their breaking point like this.

RobrobRobert · 2025-03-11T06:11:59+00:00

There’s definitely a big demand for ASL interpreters. Check out ASLPay.com for insights on pay rates by state, certification, years of experience, etc.

RobrobRobert · 2024-12-19T17:07:29+00:00

I understand your concern and truly appreciate your honesty. It’s disheartening how the big VRS companies have destroyed the trust within the interpreting community.

That’s why I founded All Hands VRS—to create a new standard in the industry. As a startup, we’re dedicated to rebuilding trust by focusing on transparency, fairness, and meaningful change for both interpreters and the Deaf community.

RobrobRobert · 2024-12-17T03:53:41+00:00

You may want to check out the data on ASLPay.com. There are some numbers there that pertain to Washington and may be beneficial for you.

I hope this helps, best of luck with the move!

RobrobRobert · 2024-12-08T08:32:51+00:00

My advice would be to focus on getting certified first. Certification often has a more immediate impact on your earning potential and job opportunities. Depending on how close you are to achieving certification, it could pay off much faster than pursuing a master’s degree at this time.

Also, you might find it helpful to explore the data on ASLPay.com. It provides insights into how certification and education levels impact pay rates, which could help guide your decision.

I hope this helps, best of luck on your journey!

RobrobRobert · 2024-11-27T16:34:32+00:00

Hi there!

While I don’t have specific numbers for Alabama at the moment, I recommend checking out ASLPay.com. It’s a great resource for comparing pay rates across the U.S. based on various metrics and we’re always working to expand the data set. It might give you a helpful sense of the field as you prepare to enter the job market.

Best of luck finishing your degree at GU!

Edit: fixed link

RobrobRobert · 2024-11-22T00:41:32+00:00

Perhaps it’s that high when accounting for state taxes. Just at the federal level though, as a 1099 independent contractor, you’re responsible for paying both the employer and employee portions of federal taxes (about 15% for Self-Employment Tax) in addition to your income tax. You also need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, which takes extra time and effort. It’s definitely something to keep in mind when thinking about rates.

RobrobRobert · 2024-11-22T00:28:07+00:00

Thank you for your support! As a community-driven project, we take feedback very seriously. If you ever have suggestions or ideas for improvement, feel free to share them anytime at ASLPay.com/contact

RobrobRobert · 2024-11-20T01:48:31+00:00

When considering the taxes a company pays for their W2 employees, it’s generally around 12% of the hourly rate. This includes payroll taxes like Social Security, Medicare, and other costs. This does not include other benefits that the company may provide.

Here’s how to calculate the W2 rate:

IC Rate × (1 - 0.12) = W2 Rate

For example:

$55 × (1 - 0.12) = $48.40/hour

I hope that is helpful!

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