>>Who knows – Renior may soon receive e-mail advertisements suggesting an “out of Country Company” that can provide programming needs at very good rates. In this case it might be addressed something like: Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. IT Professional. Nadya, having supplied her name, will receive a more personalized e-mail. I have seen rates of $10 an hour being quoted. Am I being skeptical?
>>
>>Tom
>
>I am curious: what would typical rates be for someone working within the US?
>
>An hourly rate of US$ 10 an hour would be considered a handsome salary here in Bolivia! If that is what the programmer receives, rather than an intermediary.
>
>

Hilmar;

Good question. The rate varies throughout the United States. I charge $105 an hour for consulting. I live in Silicon Valley and the price of living (existing) here is very high.

Full time senior programmers receive about half that amount. The advantage of being full time is that you have a benifits package that adds from 26 to 30% more to your total compensation package - medical, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, and retirement are typical things paid by the employer.

When you are consulting you pay for your own "benifits". Consulting for 6 months out of 12 is a good goal. You spend time looking for contracts, training and a number of other things.

Tom