>That extremely low side is twice what I make now. But then, you're not guarranteed 40 hour weeks, 52 weeks a year, either.
>

Not really true. Ask someone in personell what it cost per hour to keep you in the office. There is more than your salary. I assume you get benefits, have a place to sit, a PC to use, a phone to use, maybe internet conection, etc.

Well... all these thing go into the cost of an employee. Remember, as an independent... you have to provide your insurance, PC, desk/offic space, pay the phone bills...

Not to mention you have to pay your MARKETING cost... business cards, ads, phone listing... etc.

Then, if you are in a business casual dress office, you will have to buy suits, etc... You don't want to make a presentation in Biz Casual, even if all the workers at that office are in jeans... sure, once your hired, if you work on site you can adjust the thier dress code.

So, even if you double your rate, billing 40 hours a week, you may be making less than you are now. That's we consultant rates are higher than EE rates... the employer doesn't have to worry about insurance, workers comp, FICA, etc, etc.

BOb