You also need to take into account the fact that you will need to file a tax return in the state you live in, as well as every state you work in. If you're a co

You also need to take into account the fact that you will need to file a tax return in the state you live in, as well as every state you work in. If you're a consultant on the East Coast and have been to 15 different states, then you'll need to file a federal return plus a return in each of the 15 states that correctly allocates whatever income you earned while working in those states. You're not doing this in a weekend, year, or decade, by yourself.