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The success of your business starts with the right people, but an effective staffing strategy looks different for everyone. What is the right balance between permanent workers and flexible, temporary professionals? Many businesses need both to thrive. Freelancers bring expertise and help you scale quickly when needed. Before posting a job, it helps to understand the costs involved. If you’re unsure how to choose the right freelancer, we’ve done the research so you can make a confident decision. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about freelance rates.
What is a freelancer?
Before diving into rates, let’s clarify what a freelancer actually is. Various terms are often used interchangeably: freelancer, self-employed professional, or independent contractor. Essentially, they all mean the same thing. Freelancers work independently without a fixed or temporary employment contract. You can hire them flexibly, allowing you to scale your workforce up or down as needed. Most freelancers do not employ workers themselves; they are truly “self-employed.”
The Netherlands currently has 1.3 million freelancers (ZZP’ers) working across various sectors, playing a crucial role in the labor market. The vast majority of them actively choose to work independently, valuing autonomy and the ability to decide when, where, and for whom they work.
How are freelancer rates structured?
Sometimes, hiring a permanent worker doesn’t align with current business needs or resources—whether due to temporary workload peaks, the need for specialized knowledge on a short-term project, or simply maintaining financial flexibility. In these cases, freelancers offer a great solution: you can scale up without committing to fixed worker costs. But what exactly does a freelancer cost?
Freelance rates depend on several factors, including industry, experience, location, urgency, and job complexity. Below, we outline the average freelance rates in some of the most in-demand sectors on Temper, a digital platform connecting businesses with freelancers in hospitality, logistics, facility services, and retail:
Average freelance rates:
- Barista: €20.00/hour
- Catering workers: €19.50/hour
- Independent chef: €24.50/hour
- Cleaner: €17.00/hour
- Housekeeping: €19.50/hour
- Waitstaff: €19.00/hour
[View more freelance rates across different sectors here.]
Freelancers are free to set their own rates, so prices may vary. Additionally, freelance costs can be structured in different ways, such as:
- A fixed price for an entire project
- Payment based on deliverables agreed upon in advance
- A daily or weekly rate, commonly used for short-term or intensive projects
Although a freelancer’s hourly rate is often higher than that of a permanent worker or temp professional, you avoid extra costs such as recruitment agency fees (markup factors) or employer expenses like pension contributions, paid leave, or sick pay.
Freelancers offer flexibility—a major advantage for businesses that need to scale quickly. Curious about how these costs compare? Check out this [comparison table].
The benefits of hiring freelancers
The demand for freelancers is growing, and so is the supply. This shift in the labor market is often referred to as the “gig economy,” characterized by flexibility, autonomy, short-term contracts, and easy access to freelancers through platforms like Temper.
So why is working with freelancers becoming more popular?
1. Lower financial risks
Freelancers can be hired without long-term commitments or fixed contracts. You don’t have to deal with notice periods, severance pay, or sick leave obligations—real financial risks that come with permanent workers. With freelancers, these obligations don’t apply.
2. Easy to scale up or down
Need extra hands for a busy holiday weekend? Freelancers allow you to scale up and down effortlessly. Platforms like Temper make it quick and easy to find verified freelancers. You maintain full control over staffing and can even cancel shifts up to 24 hours in advance.
3. Pay only for hours worked
When hiring a freelancer, you only pay for the hours you need—without additional worker costs. This is important because, compared to permanent workers, there are many hidden costs to consider, such as:
- Recruitment costs (job postings, career fairs)
- Onboarding (background checks, payroll setup)
- Worker benefits (bonuses, travel expenses)
- Training costs
- Ongoing worker expenses (work attire, licenses, team events)
- Absenteeism and turnover costs (worker replacement can cost 20% of an annual salary)
[Learn more about additional worker costs here.]
4. Specialized expertise
Freelancers often bring niche expertise or experience, providing not just an extra set of hands but also valuable knowledge. A skilled freelancer can elevate your existing team to a higher level.
What about continuity?
A common concern about hiring freelancers is that they don’t provide long-term stability. However, that’s not necessarily true. Many freelancers build long-term relationships with regular clients and actually contribute to business continuity through their flexibility.
Additionally, permanent workers don’t always guarantee stability either. Worker turnover can be expensive, with the cost of replacing a worker averaging 20% of their annual salary due to recruitment, hiring, and training expenses.
Additional costs to consider when hiring freelancers
While freelancers typically have fewer additional costs than full-time workers, it’s still important to check for any extra charges, such as:
- Annual price increases
- Inflation adjustments
- Other potential costs, such as travel or material expenses
Conclusion
A strong staffing strategy is crucial for sustainable business growth, satisfied customers, and a happy workforce. In many cases, a well-balanced mix of permanent workers and flexible professionals leads to success.
While permanent workers provide stability and continuity, they come with higher costs and long-term commitments. Freelancers, on the other hand, offer flexibility, cost savings, and the ability to scale up or down as needed.
But where do you find reliable freelancers? Platforms like [Temper] provide access to a network of qualified professionals who fit seamlessly into your team and operations. This way, you combine the flexibility of freelancers with quality and reliability.
Want to learn more about Temper? [Find out more here] or start browsing available freelancers now.
What is a reasonable hourly rate for a freelancer?
A reasonable hourly rate starts at around €17 per hour for roles such as couriers or cleaners and can rise to €100 or more for specialists. The rate depends on the industry, experience, and nature of the assignment. Research market rates and establish clear agreements on budget and expectations.
View the average freelance rates on Temper here.
What additional costs come with hiring a freelancer?
Generally, there are no extra costs when hiring a freelancer. However, a freelancer may charge for travel expenses, materials, software licences, or equipment. To avoid surprises, discuss in advance what is included in the price and which additional costs may apply.
At Temper, there are no hidden costs. You only pay a platform fee of €3.90 per worked hour—nothing more.
How do you compare freelance rates?
Compare rates by considering experience, portfolio, specialisations, and reviews from previous clients. Decide what is most important for your business and choose accordingly.
