What is your rate? Software QA/Test Engineer, Resume

The short answer is...

As of my rate is $39/hr plus full per diem.

What is full per diem?

• Full per diem (PD) is 7-day PD, not 5-day PD. See IRS Publication 463;
• Full PD is maximum PD, not partial PD. See IRS Publication 1542.

The long answer is...

How about a generic rate?

Inexperienced recruiters tend to ask for one generic contract rate for all markets and all locations. Why? Probably because generic rates make their jobs easier. However, they should understand that every market is different. For example, let's look at two different markets, Iowa City and New York City. Show me a contractor who quotes his Iowa City contract rate on a contract in New York City, and I'll show you a contractor who is not going to make it in New York City!

How about an all-inclusive rate?

Yes, I could give you an all-inclusive rate, if I limited myself to one market. However, I don't limit myself to one market! Therefore, I cannot give you any kind of "all-inclusive rate". However, right over the phone, I can still quote you my rate. Then, in step two, I can look up for you the applicable per diem for the proposed temporary location. Why the two-step process?

• Because this is the only way I can quote you a rate that applies to all markets; and
• Because this is the only way the per diem can cover my cost of living in the proposed temporary location; regardless what market you're talking about.

How about this $39/hr?

If you're trying to say my rate is "too high", please remember...

• This is just a wage... a low wage that no self-respecting engineering business would ever work for!
• I'm not getting rich on this! Only a small fraction of this money is ending up in my pocket! Why? Because I have to pay all the followings from this money: my income taxes, my rental car expenses in all temporary job locations, my airline expenses to and from all temporary job locations, my hidden cost of no holiday pay, no paid vacation time, and no retirement benefits; the hundreds of free interviews and phone calls at my expense; and my hidden cost of unemployment whenever the manufacturing sector or the software segment is showing any weakness.
• Don't let the current economy fool you into thinking that high-tech skills are now a dime a dozen! Talent is talent, and in today's business climate your customers need talent more than ever! There are many employment options available to me!

Examples:

Can you give me a couple of rate examples? Surely I can...

BOSTON AREA

For Boston, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $267 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Massachusetts, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Boston is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Boston.

CEDAR RAPIDS AREA

For Cedar Rapids, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $119 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Iowa, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Cedar Rapids.

CHICAGO AREA

For Chicago, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is unpaid, you do 7-day maximum per diem splits, per diem is $221 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Illinois, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Chicago is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Chicago.

CLEVELAND AREA

For Cleveland, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $164 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Ohio, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Cleveland is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Cleveland.

DALLAS AREA

For Dallas, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $174 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income isn't taxed by the State of Texas, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Dallas.

JACKSONVILLE AREA

For Jacksonville, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $138 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income isn't taxed by the State of Florida, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Jacksonville is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Jacksonville.

LONG ISLAND AREA

For Long Island, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $424 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of New York, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Long Island is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Long Island.

LOS ANGELES AREA

For Los Angeles, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $192 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of California, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Los Angeles is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Los Angeles.

MEMPHIS AREA

For Memphis, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $148 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income isn't taxed by the State of Tennessee, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Memphis is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Memphis.

MIAMI AREA

For Miami, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $180 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income isn't taxed by the State of Florida, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Miami is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Miami.

MINNEAPOLIS AREA

For Minneapolis, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $194 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Minnesota, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Minneapolis.

MONTREAL AREA

For Montreal, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $294 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by Quebec, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Montreal.

NEW YORK CITY

For New York City, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you do 7-day maximum per diem splits, per diem is $323 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of New York, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, New York City is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for New York City.

NEWARK AREA

For Newark, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $182 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of New Jersey, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Newark is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Newark.

ORLANDO AREA

For Orlando, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $158 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income isn't taxed by the State of Florida, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Orlando is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Orlando.

PHILADELPHIA AREA

For Philadelphia, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $219 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Philadelphia is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Philadelphia.

PHOENIX AREA

For Phoenix, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $155 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Arizona, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Phoenix.

PORTLAND AREA

For Portland, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $165 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Oregon, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Portland is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem Portland.

PROVIDENCE AREA

For Providence, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $199 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Rhode Island, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Providence is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Providence.

RIVERSIDE AREA

For Riverside, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $156 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of California, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Riverside is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Riverside.

SAN DIEGO AREA

For San Diego, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $201 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of California, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, San Diego is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for San Diego.

SAN FRANCISCO AREA

For San Francisco, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $228 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of California, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, San Francisco is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for San Francisco.

ST. LOUIS AREA

For St. Louis, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem; per diem is $170 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income is taxed by the State of Missouri, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, St. Louis is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for St. Louis.

SEATTLE AREA

For Seattle, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $222 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income isn't taxed by the State of Washington, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Seattle.

TAMPA AREA

For Tampa, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay full per diem, per diem is $158 per day, I'm neither a lead nor a manager, my income isn't taxed by the State of Florida, I work on a W-2, my hotel expenses are never reimbursed, my rental car expenses are never reimbursed, my airline expenses are never reimbursed, and my vacation days are also unpaid to me... Forbes.com says, Tampa is one of "America's Most Overpriced Cities"! Please note the assumptions I've made here to give you this rate -- my hourly rate will vary based on your information! My rate is... ONLY $39/hr plus full per diem for Tampa.

$75 per hour in 2000: Do you want to know what computer professionals charge? According to a January 2000 contract rate survey of "realrates.com", the median rate for contractors working directly for clients was $75.00 per hour. The median rate for contractors working through middlemen was $60.00 per hour.

$82.50 per hour in 2003: According to their April 2003 survey (for the 12 month period ending in April 2003), the median rates for software QA engineers/testers were $82.50 per hour (when working directly for clients), and $62.50 per hour (when working through middlemen).