Monthly Rates
Let’s break down how monthly rates work, what you’re committing to, and how to choose the right rate for you.
As A.Team evolves, more missions are now scoped with monthly retainers instead of hourly rates. For builders, this means more predictable income, fixed work schedule, and longer mission durations — with fewer fluctuations week to week. While the structure is simpler, we know it can raise new questions around how to set the right monthly rate.
What’s a Monthly Rate?
A monthly rate is a flat fee for full-time work. Instead of logging hours or billing weekly, you’re agreeing to a fixed fee each month. That means:
- You’re expected to be available full-time (usually ~40 hours/week)
- You won’t bill hourly, but you’ll still provide daily updates in your timesheet on what you worked on.
- Long-term engagements may include time off or holidays — these need to be pre-aligned with client expectations
Each engagement may be slightly different, but the monthly rate is designed to give you steady, predictable income — while allowing the client to plan and budget efficiently.
What are you committing to?
When you apply to a role using a monthly rate, you’re agreeing to:
“I’m available for full-time work and comfortable being paid a flat monthly fee for this engagement.”
You’re also agreeing to a few important terms that apply to all monthly-rate engagements:
- Notice period: You may end your engagement at any time with 30 days’ notice. During the first month, the engagement can be ended without any notice.
- Payment schedule: Monthly roles are paid twice monthly, within 30 days of submitting your timesheet.
- If you’re eligible for Guaranteed Payments, you’ll be paid within 14 days.
- Scope expectations: Clients may request summaries of what you worked on and your availability. Some may expect clear progress tracking and deliverables.
- No hourly overages: Monthly roles are not designed for billable overages or overtime. Your proposed rate should reflect what you’re comfortable earning for a full-time month.
These commitments are detailed in your Builder Service Order and Builder Terms of Service. You’ll still have a chance to discuss working hours and availability during interviews. But it’s important that your monthly rate reflects your willingness to take on a full-time commitment, without expecting separate hourly billing, or overtime.
How to calculate your monthly rate
When setting your rate, start by asking: “How much would I want to earn each month for a full-time commitment to this mission?”
Monthly roles generally assume ~40 hours/week of availability, across an average of 4.33 weeks/month (52 weeks ÷ 12 months).
You’re always free to base your monthly rate on your typical hourly rate if that helps — but many builders choose to offer a more competitive monthly rate in exchange for:
- Predictable, steady income
- Fewer fluctuations in workload and earnings
- Longer mission durations
- Stronger client relationships
Your monthly rate is entirely up to you — choose what reflects your value for a full-time commitment. Some builders choose to offer more competitive rates for longer, stable engagements — but it’s your call
Why monthly rates?
We introduced monthly retainers to reduce friction for builders and clients alike. They’re ideal for:
- Builders seeking stability and predictability
- Clients looking for committed team members on longer projects
- Missions where value is delivered continuously, not by the hour
If you’re ready to commit to full-time work and want steady engagements, monthly missions might be a great fit.
Need support?
If you have questions or need help choosing a rate, reach out to formation@a.team — we’re here to help.