Source of Average Contractor Rates?

  • I don't see a section for contractors so I hope this one is ok...

    Does anyone have a source for researching the current *contractor* or *consultant* hourly rates? I find so much on salary surveys but not a lot on the rates of contractors. I already looked at hotgigs - you can get numbers there but there really isn't enough of a sample there. Maybe 3-4 people have put in their rate.

    Thanks in advance!

  • SQLFan-933088 (11/6/2009)


    I don't see a section for contractors so I hope this one is ok...

    Does anyone have a source for researching the current *contractor* or *consultant* hourly rates? I find so much on salary surveys but not a lot on the rates of contractors. I already looked at hotgigs - you can get numbers there but there really isn't enough of a sample there. Maybe 3-4 people have put in their rate.

    Thanks in advance!

    Totally depends on the type of role and where in the world, if you can provide those details. then I can post some rates. normally most job sites will mention rates, look at existing roles.

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  • Totally depends on the type of role and where in the world, if you can provide those details. then I can post some rates. normally most job sites will mention rates, look at existing roles.

    Thanks for your response. I've tried looking at job sites but when I finally find something that is closest to what I do, the job is either no where near the same region and most of the time, the pay is listed as "market rate", "competitive", or similar.

    I mostly do SQL Server development/programming related services: stored procedures, triggers, schema/architecture design, SSRS design/dev/implementation and so forth. So almost all back-end development. I do a little administration but not much. This is specific to a current client, with whom I am negotiating my contract renewal. The client is in Vegas; I now live in Southern CA. If you have rates for both areas, I would greatly appreciate it.

    The short story is I started with this client (my only client) at a rate that was way too low. I have more than proven myself and my value, and I definitely need to get my new rate more in line with the market rate. I know I will have to sell it based on what I've delivered and what I can continue to bring to their bottom line. That's easy to prove. The rate increase from their perspective won't be easy. Honestly, they would have to pay more for any replacement and that would be someone who needs a long ramp-up and maybe wouldn't come close to delivering what I deliver. So.... aside from proving my value through what I've already delivered and what I will be delivering in the future, I also need to know current market rates for contractors in the region as part of my due diligence and to know what they would be looking at if they wanted to replace me.

    I hope this makes sense... Thanks for your help!

  • hmm, hard to reply, based on USA in general, rates on average are from $70-200 per hour depending on skill/experience, or as low as $55, depends on how extensive your skills are. I can only speak from a DBA perspective, rates for developers can be as 20% lower depending on area. Someone from the areas you have mentioned will be more in tune with regional figures.

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  • Silverfox (11/9/2009)


    hmm, hard to reply, based on USA in general, rates on average are from $70-200 per hour depending on skill/experience, or as low as $55, depends on how extensive your skills are. I can only speak from a DBA perspective, rates for developers can be as 20% lower depending on area. Someone from the areas you have mentioned will be more in tune with regional figures.

    Hi Silverfox,

    Thanks for your help. I'm wondering, you say developers can be as much as 20% lower... lower than what figure? Any of the ones you mentioned? I'm just trying to be sure I understand what you said. Do you know of any online resources for the going regional contractor rates? Just wondering... I've searched until I'm sick of looking. 😛

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