[AccessD] OT:Building your business was... Rate for first time

Ron,

Monster.com has a salary site that shows salary by zip code and job
decription.

jm
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Allen" <chizotz at charter.net>
To: "Jim Hewson" <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 9:31 PM
Subject: Re[2]: [AccessD] OT:Building your business was... Rate for first
time


> JH> I work for a company that contracts my database development services
to
> JH> clients.  My rates to develop Access databases range from $65 to $125
per
> JH> hour depending on the location of the customer (San Antonio vs DC),
location
> JH> of the work (customer site vs my office) and complexity of the
project.  I
> JH> can assure you, I do not get the full amount.  Most of database
developers
> JH> (Oracle, Access, SQL Server, etc.) are salaried.
>
> I have a couple of questions in this thread.
>
> First, I am a salaried developer. I work with SQL Server, Oracle,
> Access, Visual Basic, and do all kinds of incidental but necessary
> stuff too (DOS batch files, UNIX shell scripts, manual and other
> writing, even some very basic graphics work for manual illustration
> screen shots and program icons and such). I have an excellent health
> benefits package, dental plan, vision plan, pension plan, 401K, and
> yearly cost of living raises plus yearly profit-based bonuses. I work
> a base 37.5 hours per week, and receive either comp time or time and a
> half at my employer's discretion for any hours beyond that in any
> given week. I don't want to quote my actual salary quite so
> publically, but let's assume for argument's sake that its about
> $40K/yr. I feel I am doing very well for a self-taught programmer with
> no degree who turned his hobby into a profession, but I have sometimes
> wondered where that salary range, all things being equal, falls for
> positions of this type. I'm very happy where I'm at, but when speaking
> to others I sometimes get the feeling that I'm underpaid and sometimes
> get the impression that I'm overcompensated. It would be nice to have
> some solid idea.
>
> Second, I have considered attempting some consulting work on the side.
> I understand the need to decide on a reasonable rate and then stick by
> it. What I have concerns about is, what happens when a client needs
> something that I don't know how to do without learning first or
> (shudder) what happens if I screw something up? I'm a little dual
> personality about my skills; I'm proud that I'm come as far as I have
> with no formal training and no credentials, but it also causes me to
> think twice about trying independent work. So the question is, I'm
> actually pretty good, but am I good enough? How do you tell, other
> than by jumping in? Should that affect the rate at all?
>
> Thanks for any considered response.
>
> Ron
>
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