typical pay for a contractor??

[KTechSci]

Given that full time engineering positions, when you factor in health care, 401k, etc, value significantly more than base pay alone, how much of an offer should a contractor reasonably expect??? Electrical engineer, mechanical and computer engineering positions in particular.

 

[TheTick]

Electrical engineer, mechanical and computer engineering positions in particular.

That's not very particular.

 

[cedarbluffranch]

I was paid $41/hr (including per diem) with about three experience out of college. I was employed by a firm at the time, so they continued to pay the employer portion of social security. (As opposed to independent contractor where you have to take out 12.6% for social security)

 

[MiketheEngineer]

I would guess 20-25% higher than nominal.. But I have seen as much as 50% higher

 

[DRWeig]

Hiya, KTechSci,

My experience is base pay X 1.2 to 1.3. Above 1.3X, the company (on average) makes out better by hiring as an employee with benefits, even if part time and limited duration.

Let's see what the others say...

Good on ya,

Goober Dave

 

[KENAT]

I've seen up to about 60% higher and seem to recall stories of 100% higher.

As well as all the things you list above, many contractors like to allow for gaps between jobs and/or intentional leave.

There are some that get by working only about 6 months a year, but I suspect these are the exception.

Your question is a bit general for a good answer.

At my place when I hired on direct from contract they claimed benefits etc that permanent employees got were worth on average $11,000.

So in this case as a contractor I would have wanted to be earning around that much more than a direct.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[proetools]

If you know Pro/ENGINEER rates range from 40 to 50 per hour.

If you can specialize in something and make your self in even more demand like Cabling or surfacing rates can go has high as 80 per hour.

Bart Brejcha Chicago
DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION

http://www.proetools.com

surfacing and Pro/CABLE training

 

[civilperson]

Civil/Structural: in the SouthEast, 65/hr.(Louisville, Grenville and Raleigh); in Houston, Kansas City and Baton Rouge, 75/hr; In Anchorage, 92/hr. These rates have a per diem split which increases the take home net.

 

[KENAT]

If you're a good stress engineer you can make over $200,000 per year on contract work. But that doesn't tell you how much more that is than if you're direct, which is what the OP is asking.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[metengr]

KENAT

If you're a good stress engineer you can make over $200,000 per year on contract work.

This is revenue and not profit. When you factor in O&M expenses (health care, vacation, retirement) for your contract work it really does not seem like a whole hell of lot does it?

 

[KENAT]

It's a damn site more than I make still.

I was contract for a while on a lot less thatn $200,000 pa.

It was a damn site more than I could make at Rite Aid.

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[proetools]

My last year contracting I cleared 220 thousand USD running Pro/ENGINEER for the CAB group at a major tractor manufacture.

Bart Brejcha Chicago
DESIGN-ENGINE|EDUCATION

http://www.proetools.com

surfacing and Pro/CABLE training

 

[GTstartup]

A lot of non contractors pay for at least a portion of their health insurance. If you contact through a job shop you can get the same deal, including vacation although they basically keep it from you and then give it back in the form of benefits. That being said, in the field I am in, it's not unusual for contractors to make $60+/hr plus OT. If you make less than 200k you had a slow year.