First Post! US/UK Rates Comparison

[dklude]

Hello

I am returning to the UK after spending the last 2 years on a project in the US as a perm employee. I have decided to try contract work for the first time, and are struggling with getting straight answers from the agencies.

I have a good understanding of US rates from my colleagues and contacts in the here. But I am finding the UK rates quoted by agencies significantly lower for similar contracts. Is this typical?

Also, agencies in the UK are trying to pressure me to accept daily rates, not hourly. Is this current practice, should I be able to secure an hourly rate?

Thanks

D

[tim123]

It wouldn't suprise me if nobody here can tell you a relationship between UK and UK rates.

What we do know is the going rate for what we do. I could tell you this but as the going rate for other skills is somewhere between 50% and 250% of this figure it would be of no use to you.

What is it that you do?

As to daily rates: it is clients, not agent who impose these, the agent has little interest in doing this, it is likely to make his share of the take lower. Once again the imposition of daily rates differs from sector to sector.

So what was it you did again?

HTH

tim

[Not So Wise]

Without knowing your skill set or where coming from in USA hard to say if lower or higher rates over here with any degree of certainty but can say in general these days it is either lower or on par over here (this is not taking rates a face value but comparing them to cost of living which is in general a lot higher over here).

Huge difference to 5 years ago where you were about 30 to 50% better off over here.

[t0bytoo]

I'm doing a noddy developer job at a utility company in new york city. I am getting paid about the same as I would in the UK. And I only have four more crappy days of it..

Bank jobs seem to pay about the same here as in London, too.

Assuming an exchange rate of 1.9 or so.

I think it would be easier to find a job in London than it is in New York. Right now. Cause I am (half heartedly) looking ...

[rootsnall]

Don't worry about daily rates, its the norm in my field but your contract should state your hours and if you work more than stated then charge for it. I prefer the daily rate regime, I usually keep track of the extra hours ( make sure your boss knows the tally ) and then take a paid day off when I have enough. It works well in my current contract as my boss then doesn't have to get permission from above to pay overtime !