Long-term contracting vs Full-time
I was a contractor for several years as an engineer with financial companies. Now I’m full time at Amazon. I’m checking out the market, and my TC is in the 300-350K range. My yoe is > 20, still pretty sharp technically, though not as fast at coding in tech screens like the newer stars (I overthink). ** Note that I’m talking about long-term contracts, not short hourly gigs. For example, 1300-1400 per day in my pocket (Corp to Corp), every day. Just like a FT position but paid as a contractor. ** Given the choice, who would incorporate and choose contracting at 325-350K per year (Corp To Corp) vs similar comp (maybe 300-400K depending on equity) as a W2 FTE? I thought I’d like the process of being a company asset with performance reviews, vacation pay and the like, but I have to admit I feel like an oppressed chump doing it. You are property and you are disposable. (Maybe this is just the Amazon in me talking.) With consulting, there’s no pretense and you collect your nice daily pay without some manager supposedly growing your career. While “growing” you, a manager might very well be crushing you with the weight of their thumb on top of you. I think I want out of FTE. Opinions?
I would have to disagree. You can have a career doing consulting. If you are good enough you may just make your own consulting. Manage your own hour and grow your company. Not as boring as working 8-4/9-5 everyday. If you are confident that you can make the same why not? I found that I learn much more as a consultant vs full-time. I am an Amazonian right now but, it don’t feel any less secure than if I was a consultant. Maybe that’s because i am used to working as a consultant and I know that I have the experience and skills to get gigs anywhere.... that’s my 2 cents
Out of curiosity how does one get started down this path?
Wow , what do you do 🙂
What is your rate? Is it on the lines of 175-200/hr when you say take home is 1400 a day? What do you net? Or hve you incl overtime?
Don’t do this, with 20 year of experience you can take it elsewhere and do good. Consulting you will be running around and still not make too much as take home. If you work for big5 then you won’t make that much $ even when your bill rate may be $300-400 hour
I just added a blurb to my OP, sorry I wasn’t clear. I’m talking about long-term contracts, not freelance kinds of projects. For example, working for Bloomberg as a long-term contractor for $325K per year, rather than a FTE there for $275K per year. (I’m being presented with a Bloomberg role for 1300-1400 per day, Corp to Corp, among others). That kind of comparison. I’m thinking I’d be better off going back to these long indie gigs, rather than pursuing all of these west coast FTEs I’m finding (Microsoft, Uber, Square, Airbnb, crypto startups, etc.). I say this because I was awesome as a contractor, but just meh at Amazon. Maybe it’s too late to prove that I can be great in big tech companies which have high demands on your performance and contributions (beyond your daily tasks).
What’s your motivation? $ or work??