Well said. As someone who's been contracting full time for over a decade, I have never used a public job listing to find a gig (nor would I). Not only are the

Well said. As someone who's been contracting full time for over a decade, I have never used a public job listing to find a gig (nor would I). Not only are the rates low, they are usually non-negotiable. I've always gotten my gigs via my network and word-of-mouth. As you said, it allows negotiation in rate, and when you come recommended you already have a leg up on negotiation. After a while you tend to figure out what you're able to charge, and its highly dependent on the client. Public companies, and especially startups will pay a higher rate. I tend to get around ~125/hr in my MCOL Midwest city (highest has been 150/hr at a startup). That's about where the limit is for me in my location. Private companies tend to be more stingy. I normally can get ~110/hr out of them. I will never take less than 100/hr, and never have. When your network is big enough you don't need to take every gig and can say no if you don't like the terms. I have to turn down more gigs than I take as it is because I'm so booked up with work. I would also add that rates are certainly location dependent. On the coasts I would expect a higher rate than I get in the Midwest just because of cost of living. Certain cities also are more accepting to contractors than others (mine is). All of this will have an impact on what kind of rates and gigs you can get.