Q21: What is your rate? RobDavisPE.com

The short answer is...

As of my rate is $35/hr plus PD.


The long answer is...

What is PD? PD stands for Per Diem. Read Q22.

Why should you agree to pay me PD? Because, as the example near the end of my PD page proves, PD splits can increase your company's profits by a whopping 63.8 per cent! Additionally, by using PD, I am able to quote you my rate in YOUR market, the market you want to talk about.

For example in Iowa City, Iowa, I will need $35 per hour plus $123 per day. What is this $123 per day? It is the official U.S. Government PD rate for Iowa City, Iowa. For additional rates please click here.

Unscrupulous recruiters always press me for my rate, like as if I was able to pick and choose my rate. In my experience, it is the end client that sets the rate — not me!

Good recruiters never press me for my rate, never keep me in the dark, and always disclose to me what their jobs are paying.

Unscrupulous recruiters always keep me in the dark and never disclose to me what their jobs are paying — which is a waste of everyone's time. The claim that the rate is only up to me is false and misleading, of course. If the unscrupulous recruiter learns my rate is higher than what they have hoped for, they reject me right off the bat — which is wrong. Alternatively, if the unscrupulous recruiter learns my rate is lower than what they wanted, then they poach it at my expense — which is also wrong.

What is your "all-inclusive" rate? Unscrupulous recruiters keep asking me for my "all-inclusive" rate because the "all-inclusive" rates are in their best interest. Because, unfairly, they don't want to reimburse any of my expenses. And because they want to pretend my cost of relocation to the proposed job site is zero, even though it is not zero, and has never been zero.

How about me, the contractor? Are you looking out for MY interest as well? Are you aware that relocation to distant job sites on short-short notices can cost me up to $5,000.00 per contract? Who is going to pay that $5,000.00? FYI, customarily it is the buyer who pays for shipping and transportation. As the buyer, are you expecting ME to pay for shipping? Out of my own pocket and against my best interest? Who do you think I am? A billion-dollar corporation?

What is your generic rate? Unscrupulous recruiters keep asking me for my generic rate. Why? Because, unfairly, they want a generic rate they can use in all markets. Because, unfairly, they keep pretending the cost of living in all cities and states is the same — even though it is not the same, and has never been the same.

How about me, the contractor? Are you looking out for MY interest as well? Have you noticed 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 rate on a contract in New York City, and I'm going to show you a contractor who is NOT going to make it in New York City!

We don't pay any benefits! Unscrupulous recruiters say, "We don't pay any benefits". Why? Because, unfairly, they don't want to reimburse any of my expenses. And because, unfairly, they want to pretend the cost of my relocation to the proposed job site is zero, even though it is not zero, and has never been zero. FYI, traditionally it is the buyer who pays for shipping, not the seller.

I use a two-step process. In step one of my process I quote you my base rate (of $35.00/hr). In step two of my process I look up for you the applicable PD rate for the market you're talking about. Why? Because I don't limit myself to one market. And because it's pretty much the only way I can quote you a rate that applies to all markets, and covers my cost of living in the market you're talking about — regardless what market you're talking about.

But why $35/hr? If you're trying to say my $35/hr rate is too high, please remember it's just a wage, and my overhead is greater than $35/hr! These days software engineers make up to $120,000/yr (that is approx. $60/hr), and their jobs are 'permanent'! Should I accept a $35/hr rate that no self-respecting engineering business would ever work for? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Should I leave friends and family behind, for a temp job that can fold at any time? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Should I spend more than what I make? The answer is, "No, I should not!"

The hidden cost of additional housing: When I relocate, should I squander $3,000.00 cash, on housing alone? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Should I abandon my current apartment, including my 1.5-month security deposit? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Should I rent a $1,500/mo room near the new job site, and do it on a short notice? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Should I pay an additional 1.5-month security deposit that I will very likely have to abandon at the end of this new temp job? The answer is, "No, I should not!"

The hidden cost of air travel and car rental: Should I buy a $1,000 airline ticket to the new job site, and do it on a short notice? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Should I rent a car in the new location, and do it on a short notice? The answer is, "No, I should not!"

The hidden cost of additional expenses: This $35/hr isn't even mine to spend, because only a small part of this money will end up in my pocket. Because from this $35/hr I will have to pay my income taxes, my rental car expenses in temp job locations, my airfare to and from my temp job locations, the hidden cost of zero holiday pay, the hidden cost of zero vacation pay, the hidden cost of zero retirement benefits, the hidden cost of hundreds of free interviews and phone calls, and the hidden cost of unemployment whenever the manufacturing sector or the software segment is showing any weakness.

The hidden cost of free interviews: While others are having fun (after 5:00 p.m.), I usually work for another six or seven hours and every day, and work for free, by answering recruiter emails and phone calls. Should I get on the phone and talk, and talk, and talk to recruiters who have nothing specific? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Most recruiters get straight to the point, however some of them are unreasonable, unusually persistent, manipulative, and deceptive. Today, for example, one recruiter distracted me by being significantly more persistent than the ones that would have been able to help me. He started a head game with the goal of trying to get me on the phone. He deceived me by pretending he could help me when he couldn't. Of course, I should have known, he didn't have anything specific in the first place. He made unreasonable demands on my time and business contacts, because he wanted both, and wanted them for free.

The hidden cost of head games that recruiters play: As to getting a free interview from me, here is some of the twisted logic he employed: 1) He said my FAQs were helpful, yet he wanted my time, and wanted it for free. 2) He knew how difficult it was to talk while at work, yet he wanted my time, and wanted it for free. 3) He knew my time was not free, yet he wanted it, and wanted it for free. 4) He knew I didn't have enough free hours in the day, yet he wanted my time, and wanted it for free. 5) He knew my time was worth money, yet he wanted my time, and wanted it for free. 6) He knew my business contact info was neither for sale, nor free for the taking, yet he wanted it, and wanted it for free.

The hidden cost of the boom and bust economy: Should I accept a $35 rate that no self-respecting engineering business would ever work for? The answer is, "No, I should not!" Recruiters, 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!

Additional rate examples:

BOSTON AREA

For Boston, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD splits, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD splits, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD Portland.

PROVIDENCE AREA

For Providence, let's assume the duration is six months, my holidays are unpaid, my overtime is also unpaid, you pay PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD; PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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 PD, PD 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 $35/hr plus PD 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).