3 ms·

200k is just 100/hr, no? Seems like there are many more than just a handful of companies willing to pay that rate

by dnissley 3y ago

gamblor956 3y ago
I know a lot of people who claim to make 200k+ as contract programmers doing vaguely web-related stuff. But as a tax guy, I generally see the actual financial data (i.e., the actual 1099-reportable payments), and I rarely see anyone who actually does make 200k+ as a contractor. And all of those positions are always niche positions, and almost all of these roles are for less than a year: meaning: the 200k is the amount they would make if the role lasted a full year. So if they're making 200k+, it involves multiple gigs, which is a very different situation from making 200k+ at a single gig.
- karmajunkie 3y ago
  yeah when i was contracting i based my assumptions on half-time employment… so to make 200/yr, i would need to charge 200/hr. over five years that was pretty close to an accurate measure.
- birdlogic 3y ago
  I’ve done this for the past 3 years - two startup clients for 20 hrs/week each, just over 500k total pretax. Mostly staff-eng work, lots of independence, got to run some projects, pretty indistinguishable from full-time except for fewer meetings and no health care or equity. I’ve loved it - and so have the startups - they get a staff-level eng for the cost of a mid-level, just for half the hours. I think there’s value there. Just wanted to put out a data point that it is possible and enjoyable.
  - pdimitar 3y ago
    Are you open to discuss how did you do it, here or over email? I don't have a network and I wouldn't even know where to start. I am quite capable and this has been recognized by people in the past but I am basically stealth mode (never invested in blogs, proper LinkedIn presence or any other really) so I am wondering how does a capable senior dev finally get to the big bucks?

3 ms·

200k is just 100/hr, no? Seems like there are many more than just a handful of companies willing to pay that rate

by dnissley 3y ago

200k is just 100/hr, no? Seems like there are many more than just a handful of companies willing to pay that rate

gamblor956 3y ago
I know a lot of people who claim to make 200k+ as contract programmers doing vaguely web-related stuff. But as a tax guy, I generally see the actual financial data (i.e., the actual 1099-reportable payments), and I rarely see anyone who actually does make 200k+ as a contractor. And all of those positions are always niche positions, and almost all of these roles are for less than a year: meaning: the 200k is the amount they would make if the role lasted a full year. So if they're making 200k+, it involves multiple gigs, which is a very different situation from making 200k+ at a single gig.
- karmajunkie 3y ago
  yeah when i was contracting i based my assumptions on half-time employment… so to make 200/yr, i would need to charge 200/hr. over five years that was pretty close to an accurate measure.
- birdlogic 3y ago
  I’ve done this for the past 3 years - two startup clients for 20 hrs/week each, just over 500k total pretax. Mostly staff-eng work, lots of independence, got to run some projects, pretty indistinguishable from full-time except for fewer meetings and no health care or equity. I’ve loved it - and so have the startups - they get a staff-level eng for the cost of a mid-level, just for half the hours. I think there’s value there. Just wanted to put out a data point that it is possible and enjoyable.
  - pdimitar 3y ago
    Are you open to discuss how did you do it, here or over email? I don't have a network and I wouldn't even know where to start. I am quite capable and this has been recognized by people in the past but I am basically stealth mode (never invested in blogs, proper LinkedIn presence or any other really) so I am wondering how does a capable senior dev finally get to the big bucks?