Client Retainer Calculator

Calculate sustainable monthly retainer packages based on your target income, available capacity, and scope value.

Retainer Parameters
Choose how you trade value for this recurring agreement.
$
Your effective baseline hourly rate.
Number of hours reserved exclusively for this client per month.
$
The perceived business value of the deliverables provided monthly.
Discount
-50% (Discount) 0% (Standard) +50% (Premium)
Apply a discount for guaranteed volume/income, or a premium for urgent on-call access.
Financial Overheads & Safety Nets
Percentage set aside for income taxes, software licenses, and operational costs.
Retainer Breakdown
Suggested Monthly Retainer
$1,800.00
Effective Hourly Rate
$90.00
Take-Home Profit (Net)
$1,260.00
Tax & Overhead Reserve
$540.00
Annual Contract Value
$21,600.00

Strategic Recommendation

This retainer yields an effective rate of $90.00/hr. Selling hours at a discount is viable due to guaranteed predictable revenue, but ensure your contract includes a "Use-it-or-Lose-it" clause so unspent hours don't roll over indefinitely.