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Thanks for the answer so far. Let me give an example. I've been told that iOS developers these days, who are experienced (eg: over 4 years experience) should m

by MCRed 11y ago

Thanks for the answer so far. Let me give an example. I've been told that iOS developers these days, who are experienced (eg: over 4 years experience) should make $150/hour as contractors. I've seen people trying to hire iOS devs ("agencies" that doe client work type places) for $80-$100 an hour. Is toptal-- the "top %3" paying closer to $150? Or closer to $80?

abulman 11y ago
I'm in Toptal, with a rate that has been steadily dropping and is now listed at $60/h gross. That's not including their markup for the price-to-pay by the clients, and on my side, there are also currency conversion, transfer fees and all the taxes to deduct from that. Meanwhile, I'm getting declined as 'too expensive'.
- mdpopescu 11y ago
  Ah, have you actually been told that ("too expensive")? It would have helped me understand the market for (remote) C# development. I just know that I didn't get the couple of jobs I applied to, not why.
  - abulman 11y ago
    I've found out the rate that at least a couple of the clients would pay to get my time, and I find it expensive. I don't find it surprising that one person I talked to, said that they have specifically requested that no one based in the UK for forwarded to them, because they would be, almost by definition cost more than they would be willing to pay. And yes, I have been told by several clients that I would be an expensive hire. And then I don't get hired, in spite of what is usually a highly productive conversation/interview.
rushafi 11y ago
I think you should rephrase like this: iOS developers these days, "who lives in USA" and are experienced (eg: over 4 years experience) should make $150/hour as contractors. In Toptal the pay varies on developers and client's budget. I think the lowest rate the companies have to pay in Toptal for a full time developer is $45/hour or $1800/week (highest can be $3200+/week, ref: http://www.toptal.com/faq#how_much_does_toptal_cost http://www.toptal.com/faq#how_much_does_toptal_cost). Toptal has more or less a 50% markup over what developer gets. So given company's budget and preferred time-zone to work they try to match a developer whose pay will fit within 66% of clients budget. And you can be sure of the fact that this 66% is a very handsome money for a lot of developers worldwide considering the living cost in their country. I can assume that even the highest range Toptal offers might not be good enough for Top 3% US developers. But it's good enough for Top 3% worldwide developers who has accepted into the Toptal network. Also why on Earth developers in the US will have to rely on Toptal or other similar sites? Definitely they can access the jobs more easily than a Eastern European / South American / South East Asian developer. Don't you think so? Finally, who are pointing on the fact that developers, despite of their nationality, should get the same payment should also consider that Nationality is not the main issue here. People who gets migrated to USA charges the standard rates in USA. But who are not living there don't need to charge the same because their living cost is much less. (In short, if your expected payment is above than what Toptal offers, don't apply there. Toptal is very good place for freelancing jobs for a lot of international developers, but it's definitely not for everyone. And the fact that, its not for everyone doesn't necessarily make Toptal a bad thing).

by MCRed 11y ago

abulman 11y ago

I'm in Toptal, with a rate that has been steadily dropping and is now listed at $60/h gross. That's not including their markup for the price-to-pay by the clients, and on my side, there are also currency conversion, transfer fees and all the taxes to deduct from that. Meanwhile, I'm getting declined as 'too expensive'.

mdpopescu 11y ago
Ah, have you actually been told that ("too expensive")? It would have helped me understand the market for (remote) C# development. I just know that I didn't get the couple of jobs I applied to, not why.
- abulman 11y ago
  I've found out the rate that at least a couple of the clients would pay to get my time, and I find it expensive. I don't find it surprising that one person I talked to, said that they have specifically requested that no one based in the UK for forwarded to them, because they would be, almost by definition cost more than they would be willing to pay. And yes, I have been told by several clients that I would be an expensive hire. And then I don't get hired, in spite of what is usually a highly productive conversation/interview.

rushafi 11y ago

I think you should rephrase like this: iOS developers these days, "who lives in USA" and are experienced (eg: over 4 years experience) should make $150/hour as contractors. In Toptal the pay varies on developers and client's budget. I think the lowest rate the companies have to pay in Toptal for a full time developer is $45/hour or $1800/week (highest can be $3200+/week, ref: http://www.toptal.com/faq#how_much_does_toptal_cost http://www.toptal.com/faq#how_much_does_toptal_cost). Toptal has more or less a 50% markup over what developer gets. So given company's budget and preferred time-zone to work they try to match a developer whose pay will fit within 66% of clients budget. And you can be sure of the fact that this 66% is a very handsome money for a lot of developers worldwide considering the living cost in their country. I can assume that even the highest range Toptal offers might not be good enough for Top 3% US developers. But it's good enough for Top 3% worldwide developers who has accepted into the Toptal network. Also why on Earth developers in the US will have to rely on Toptal or other similar sites? Definitely they can access the jobs more easily than a Eastern European / South American / South East Asian developer. Don't you think so? Finally, who are pointing on the fact that developers, despite of their nationality, should get the same payment should also consider that Nationality is not the main issue here. People who gets migrated to USA charges the standard rates in USA. But who are not living there don't need to charge the same because their living cost is much less. (In short, if your expected payment is above than what Toptal offers, don't apply there. Toptal is very good place for freelancing jobs for a lot of international developers, but it's definitely not for everyone. And the fact that, its not for everyone doesn't necessarily make Toptal a bad thing).