Three.js From Zero · Article s15-05
Pricing Three.js Freelance Work
Pricing Three.js Freelance Work is Article s15-05 of Three.js From Zero, a MasterAllArts free interactive lesson for artists learning creative 3D on the web.
Season 15 · Article 05 · Portfolio & Career
Three.js freelance pays well because the supply is thin — most agencies don't have anyone on staff. But the pricing models trip up newcomers. Day rates, project rates, retainers, equity — what each means and when to use which.
The rates in 2026
| Experience | Day rate | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Junior (0-2yr) | $400–700 | $60–100 |
| Mid (2-5yr) | $800–1500 | $120–180 |
| Senior (5+yr) | $1500–3000+ | $200–350 |
| Specialist (e.g., shaders, configurators) | $2500–5000 | $300–500 |
US/EU rates. Region adjusts. Specialist (you do specifically shaders or specifically configurators) pays 1.5-2× generalist because clients can't find anyone else.
Day rate vs project rate
Day rate: best for scoped engagements ("I'll work 5 days on your scene optimization"). Predictable cash flow for you, predictable budget for them.
Project rate: best when you can estimate the work accurately. You take the risk of underestimating, you keep the upside of working fast.
Rule of thumb: charge by project once you've done that exact thing 3+ times before. Charge by day for novel work.
Scoping a configurator
"Build me a 3D product configurator" is the most common Three.js gig. Scope it before quoting:
- Model count — 1 product or 50? Each new model = 1-2 days.
- Options per product — 3 color choices is half a day, 30 customizable parts is two weeks.
- Materials quality — basic PBR (1 day per product) vs photoreal (5+ days).
- Mobile target — adds 30% to budget for optimization passes.
- AR integration — Quick Look + WebXR each add 2-3 days.
- CMS integration — content team needs to add products without code? Big lift.
A "configurator" can be $3k or $80k depending on these. Always scope, never quote upfront.
The standard freelance contract
Don't work without one. Use Stripe's "Free Contract Templates" or hire a lawyer once ($500) and reuse forever. Must include:
- Scope — what you're delivering, in writing
- Payment terms — 50% upfront, 50% on delivery is standard
- Revision limit — "two rounds of revisions, additional rounds at day rate"
- IP transfer — what you keep, what they own
- Kill fee — what you get paid if they cancel
- NDA section — separate or embedded
Contract pitfalls
The "rush job" calculus
"Can you deliver in 5 days instead of 15?" = 2× rate. They're paying for your weekend, your social life, your sleep. The premium is real.
If you can't comfortably hit the deadline at 2×, decline. The damage of a missed rush deadline outweighs the revenue.
Retainers
"$5k/month for up to 20 hours of work, anything beyond billed at day rate." Predictable cash, predictable demand, and the client can't shop you mid-project. Pursue retainer relationships actively after your second engagement with a client.
Common first-time pitfalls
Exercises
- Calculate your floor rate. Annual income target / billable days (220 max — accounting for sales, admin, holidays). That's your minimum day rate. Quote higher.
- Build a quote template. Scope sections, deliverables, timeline, payment terms. Save it. Copy-edit for each new gig.
- Practice saying no. Next time a client lowballs, decline professionally. "My rate for this type of work is X; I understand if that's not in scope." Magic words.
UP NEXT
S15-06 — Three.js Interview Prep → Real questions teams ask.