The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5)

UK Contractor Rates

How can I found out what a typical rate of pay is for a J2EE contractor in the South of England, with two years experience?

Ballpark figures welcome.

Wants To Know
Friday, May 28, 2004

Sorry, how can I *find* out...

Wants To Know
Friday, May 28, 2004

www.jobserve.com is THE resource for UK contracting. However not all jobs list rates, and they have fallen right off over the last 3 years.
3 years ago I was getting £33/hour in Buckinghamshire - 6 months later I was being under bid at £20 / hour for city jobs. It may have picked up a bit since then thought - I have been back in permanent employment.
Do you only have 2 years total experience ? - if so you may struggle to find contract work, they tend to look for 4-5 years as a minimum. You have to remember that you are ususally being brought in to do a specific job alongside existing staff, and need to be able to demonstrate that you can "hit the ground running" - at an hourly rate of probably double what they are paying the permies, they will want to see you up to speed very quickly.

Cheers

Matt

Matt
Friday, May 28, 2004

Thanks Matt. No, I have three year's Java experience and eight year's total development experience (Delphi, VB). I'm a "permie" at the moment wondering whether to become a contractor.

Wants To Know
Saturday, May 29, 2004