Yes, if you are okay with forgoing benefits and vacation and know the hiring manager, then you can often double your take home (if they really need you, or you

Yes, if you are okay with forgoing benefits and vacation and know the hiring manager, then you can often double your take home (if they really need you, or you have a special skill set can ask for more obviously). Often contractors are hired through recruiters and I've heard of at least one recruiter taking an additional 50% on top of what was being paid to the contractor, which would result in the salary you can negotiate being much less, so not going through a recruiter makes this easier.