>>Salary survey from Devx... man they make a lot in the US.
>>
>>http://careerlink.devx.com/articles/ss0200/ss0200-1.asp
>
>I read the survey and thought it was a joke because they claim it to be the "Spring 2000" salary survey. I wrote them an email asking if it was and they came back saying it was for real.
>
>Although it is not even close what I see in the San Antonio and Austin markets. VB advertised salaries are up to 55K, with an average of 40 - 45K. Other surveys (example: computerjobs.com) are in line with the lower range. Maybe a large percent of the respondants are working independent. That I would believe.

Oracle and Java jobs offers close to double than you mentioned on VB based on DICE.COM advertisements. Why?

OTOH, do you mean independent consultancy makes more money than having a permanent job even on multi-national company? How effective indenpendent consultancy is in the US?