The headline numbers are not comparable until you account for what each one omits.
What the salary includes that the rate does not
Paid leave, sick pay, employer pension or provident contributions, equipment, and the weeks between contracts. Adding those back is why an hourly rate needs to be well above salary divided by hours.
The rough conversion
Take the annual salary, divide by about 1,600 rather than 2,080 working hours, then add 20-30% for benefits and admin. That is your floor, not your target.
The hidden trade
Salaried remote work tends to expand into your evenings without extra pay. Hourly work makes every hour visible, which is either discipline or friction depending on the client.
Common questions
How do I convert a salary to an hourly rate?
Divide by roughly 1,600 billable hours rather than 2,080, then add 20-30% to cover benefits, gaps and admin.
Is contracting riskier than employment?
Financially yes, because of gaps and no paid leave. It usually pays more per hour to compensate.