That awkward rate moment when..........

[The Spartan]

I suppose your rate depends on a number of factors such as:

Location
Profession
Technical expertise
Experience

and more, personally I was happy to land a contract on what I would class as the starting rate for a tester but then I maybe wrong. What I do know is it is a lot more than I earned in my permie job so I can't be going too far wrong but then I'm newbie I don't know that much yet.

[SneakySimon]

Not everyone is the same, and circumstances are very different for each contractor. Circumstances are constantly changing and rates should be free to reflect this. However £280 per day when everyone else is earning circa 3500???? Give that agent a prize!!

The agent should definatly win a prize for something - when my collegue was planning on leaving in June, the agent gave them a 12% pay rise - told them a 12% pay rise in this environemnt in Banking was very generous!!

[BrilloPad]

During rate discussions I usually lie.

Rather like my posts on CUK.

[PAH]

Is there somewhere that maintains an accurate current average rate by skill?

Would be handy when enquiring about new gigs so you don't have to take the agent's word about how the rate currently compares in the industry.

On long contracts the rate usually creeps up at each renewal so by the end you can be on a much better rate than you started, but as the increase is mostly down to the client wanting to keep you it's sometimes hard to know how far above the norm you've managed to go.

At other times getting too high a rate makes you first target for being let go when the project is winding down or the client culls contractors.

So if there's any discussion about rates with fellow contractors on the project I like to make sure I'm somewhere below the top, but if too far below it's handy ammunition at the next renewal.

Only the agent benefits from keeping quiet about rates.

[d000hg]

The OP should advise the contractor in question to ask their agent directly "what margin are you on" - if the agent is taking ~£200/day I'm sure the client will not be any happier than the contractor.

[northernladuk]

Rather like my posts on CUK.

That's a lie!!!

[Freamon]

Is there somewhere that maintains an accurate current average rate by skill?

Not really. There's sites that maintain an inaccurate average rate by skill though:

IT Jobs Watch, Tracking the IT Job Market

[PAH]

Not really. There's sites that maintain an inaccurate average rate by skill though:

IT Jobs Watch, Tracking the IT Job Market

Is this not accurate then seeing as data appears to be from the same source?

Contractor Market Rates - IT Contract Hourly Rates

[d000hg]

Does anyone know where they get their data? Do they ask people to post their rates, ask agents/clients what they are paying?

[MarillionFan]

During rate discussions I usually lie.

Rather like my posts on CUK.

Liar.