Freelance bookkeepers in the U.S. generally earn between $41,000 and $57,500 annually, with an average of roughly $50,500 or $24–$30 per hour as of early 2026. Experienced freelancers or those running their own firm can earn over $100,000 annually, while hourly rates for skilled freelancers often range from $60 to $80+ per hour depending on location and complexity.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $72,538 and as low as $26,646, the majority of Freelance Bookkeeper salaries currently range between $40,500 (25th percentile) to $56,700 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $66,122 annually in California.
Freelance bookkeeping is a profitable career path for those who systematize operations, price appropriately, focus on recurring-retainer clients and higher-margin services, and leverage automation. Expect modest beginnings; profitability scales with specialization, efficiency, and the ability to sell advisory services.
So, it's hard to say exactly what you can earn as a freelance bookkeeper in the UK. But a typical hourly rate would be between £10-£25 depending on experience. The average hourly pay for a bookkeeper in the UK is calculated at £11.89 by Payscale, with annual salaries between £18,000 and £36,000.
Many bookkeepers charge an hourly rate. This averages around $25 to $100 per hour. This all depends on things like their education, work experience, and the tasks they are expected to perform on the job, in addition to standard accounting functions.
One of the most in-demand roles today is in freelance bookkeeping jobs, which allow professionals to manage financial records from anywhere. Whether you're new to the field or looking for a flexible career change, understanding how freelance bookkeeping works will help you get started on the right path.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $92,665 and as low as $35,558, the majority of Quickbooks Bookkeeper salaries currently range between $47,400 (25th percentile) to $64,100 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $88,894 annually in Los Angeles.
How to become a freelance bookkeeper
The "3 Golden Rules of Accounting" (BK) are fundamental to double-entry bookkeeping: (1) Personal Accounts: Debit the receiver, credit the giver; (2) Real Accounts: Debit what comes in, credit what goes out; and (3) Nominal Accounts: Debit all expenses/losses, credit all incomes/gains, providing a clear framework for recording financial transactions accurately.
Yes, bookkeeping is widely considered an excellent side hustle due to its flexibility, consistent demand, low startup costs, and potential for good income, allowing you to work remotely on your own schedule, though it requires learning the basics and managing tech/security. It's ideal for leveraging skills for extra income while balancing other commitments, but be prepared for technology and client management.
To further emphasize the importance of work experience, these are all the average wages for all kinds of freelancers in 2023 across all age groups: 18-24 years – $16/hour. 25-34 years – $19/hour. 35-44 years – $24/hour.
Full charge bookkeepers typically work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week. However, they may work longer hours during busy periods, such as tax time or the end of the fiscal year, to meet their deadlines.
For example, an accountant with a year or two of experience might earn $60,000 per year while a bookkeeper will earn less than $30,000 per year. More experienced accountants will be able to earn higher salaries but bookkeepers will not see significant salary increases.
You can charge anywhere from $25 to $100+ per hour, or use flat monthly packages from $300 to $2,500+, depending on experience, services (payroll, reconciliation), number of transactions, bank accounts, and client complexity, with common pricing models including hourly, fixed monthly, per-transaction ($0.50-$1.25), or tiered packages.
A good bookkeeper can expect to earn a salary between £30,000 and £35,000. On average, though, they'll be more likely to take home around £32,000.
The key difference: bookkeepers handle data entry and basic financial tasks, while accountants provide analysis and strategic advice. Both roles are essential for managing business finances, but they serve different purposes at different stages of your financial management process.
The three golden rules of accounting are to (1) debit the receiver and credit the giver, (2) debit what comes in and credit what goes out, and (3) debit expenses and losses, credit income and gains. What are the three types of accounts? The three golden rules of accounting apply to real, personal, and nominal accounts.