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//// Career · 1099 vs W-2

1099 vs W-2 Benefits Gap Calculator

Itemize every W-2 benefit and see its after-tax replacement cost as a 1099 worker. Health, 401k match, PTO, sick days, disability, HSA, life — then the exact freelance rate to net the same take-home.

Where this fits

💼 Income & OffersGoing 1099Offer ReviewFreelancersEmployees

This tool lives inside Going 1099 + Offer Review and is most useful for freelancers and employees.

SE Tax Rate15.3%
QBI Deduction20%
Quarterly DeadlinesApr · Jun · Sep · Jan

Target W-2 Equivalent

Target W-2 salary

The salary you want to match as a 1099 worker

$

Filing status

Federal marginal tax rate
%
State marginal tax rate
%

W-2 Benefits to Replace

Health insurance (monthly)
$/mo
Dental & vision (monthly)
$/mo
HSA employer contribution
$/yr
401k match
% of salary
PTO days
days/yr
Sick days
days/yr
Life insurance value
$/yr
Disability insurance
$/yr
Other benefits
$/yr

Freelance Parameters

Your retirement contribution
% of income
Billable hours per year
hrs

Freelance Rate to Match This W-2

$79/hr

$142,932/yr gross

vs W-2 salary

50% premium

Gap Breakdown

Target W-2 salary$95,000
Benefits replacement (gross)+$22,028
SE tax premium (extra FICA)+$6,156
Total gross needed$142,932
BenefitW-2 valueYour after-tax costGap
W2SE
Health Insurance$6,600$4,818$4,818
Dental & Vision$720$526$526
HSA Employer Contribution$1,000$730$730
401k Employer Match$3,800$2,774$2,774
PTO Days (lost income)$5,481$5,481$5,481
Sick Days (lost income)$1,827$1,827$1,827
Life Insurance$300$300$300
Disability Insurance$1,800$1,800$1,800
Other Benefits (FSA, commuter…)$500$433$433
Total benefits gap$18,688

W-2 pre-tax·SE deductible·Click any row for details

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