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I don't know. I dabbled with freelancing on the side a few years ago and never did land a gig. The potential clients I managed to get on the phone didn't want

by jcadam 9y ago

I don't know. I dabbled with freelancing on the side a few years ago and never did land a gig. The potential clients I managed to get on the phone didn't want to pay more than $30/hour or so (I started off asking for $60). I decided freelancing wasn't a real thing for US-based software developers and dropped the idea.

bpicolo 9y ago
As I understand it, one easy rate-factor is having a focused and desirable skillset. Become an expert at something specific and seeing widespread adoption/need - kubernetes, cloud security, whatever - and you can command a lot more. Web design / simple apps are a lowest-bidder sort of deal.
xapata 9y ago
Depends on the stage of your career. I charge $200 to $400 hourly, depending on the duration of the project.
- jcadam 9y ago
  Sure, somehow I'm worth ~$140k/yr (plus benefits, etc) to my current employer as a FTE (who bills me out at a much higher rate to our customers, I'm sure), but I'm in govt contracting - it's a different world. How to find private sector clients willing to pay good rates? I have no idea.
  - xapata 9y ago
    It's sometimes possible for a small business (like a single-member LLC) to bid on government contracts. You can try to cut out the middleman. My personal style is to avoid getting into bidding contests. I've invested years into building my personal network. That means enthusiastically following up with strangers that I meet to turn them into acquaintances and semi-friends. It's exhausting, but has paid off. For example, sometimes I get a call out of the blue from someone I haven't spoken to in 3 years asking me to help with a project. Don't expect people to sign contracts right away. Give them time. Years, perhaps. Just put the word out there that you're skilled and available for work. Edit: Also, you need a specialty that allows you to accomplish something useful in a few months by yourself.
HeyLaughingBoy 9y ago
That must have been a very long time ago, because even in 1998, I remember a friend who was a barely competent programmer making $44/hour and the contracting agency she was working through was charging well above that.
- jcadam 9y ago
  Nope, about 5 years ago.
- nicoburns 9y ago
  Rates for programming jobs are widely variable. Some people work forn $10/hour.

by jcadam 9y ago

bpicolo 9y ago

As I understand it, one easy rate-factor is having a focused and desirable skillset. Become an expert at something specific and seeing widespread adoption/need - kubernetes, cloud security, whatever - and you can command a lot more. Web design / simple apps are a lowest-bidder sort of deal.

xapata 9y ago

Depends on the stage of your career. I charge $200 to $400 hourly, depending on the duration of the project.

jcadam 9y ago
Sure, somehow I'm worth ~$140k/yr (plus benefits, etc) to my current employer as a FTE (who bills me out at a much higher rate to our customers, I'm sure), but I'm in govt contracting - it's a different world. How to find private sector clients willing to pay good rates? I have no idea.
- xapata 9y ago
  It's sometimes possible for a small business (like a single-member LLC) to bid on government contracts. You can try to cut out the middleman. My personal style is to avoid getting into bidding contests. I've invested years into building my personal network. That means enthusiastically following up with strangers that I meet to turn them into acquaintances and semi-friends. It's exhausting, but has paid off. For example, sometimes I get a call out of the blue from someone I haven't spoken to in 3 years asking me to help with a project. Don't expect people to sign contracts right away. Give them time. Years, perhaps. Just put the word out there that you're skilled and available for work. Edit: Also, you need a specialty that allows you to accomplish something useful in a few months by yourself.

HeyLaughingBoy 9y ago

That must have been a very long time ago, because even in 1998, I remember a friend who was a barely competent programmer making $44/hour and the contracting agency she was working through was charging well above that.

jcadam 9y ago
Nope, about 5 years ago.
nicoburns 9y ago
Rates for programming jobs are widely variable. Some people work forn $10/hour.