Asking for raise as Apple contractor

Apple
TorUpFlrUp

Go to company page Apple

TorUpFlrUp
May 24, 2018 16 Comments

Ok here’s the deal. I’m a contractor at Apple in Marcom. Technically speaking, I’m a salaried W-2 employee through my vendor. At the end of this quarter, I will have been at Marcom as a contractor for two years.

I’ve seen some other posts on Blind about contractors being 2nd class citizens at Apple (which is certainly true, but that’s another post). That said, I have a great working relationship with all my Apple full-time employee colleagues. I sit in an open studio right alongside them, and feel like I’m an integral part of the team. At the expense of my own humility, I’ll say that a number of my FTE colleagues have on several occasions expressed gratitude and appreciation for my work. I’ve never had a reprimand, mishap, mistake or any negative issues at the office. All in all, I feel like I’m doing a pretty kickass job and have the evidence to show for it.

So my question: what’s an appropriate amount for a raise?

I currently earn a salary of $190,000. Plus, through my vendor, I receive PTO, vacation, health & dental and 401k.

My last raise was one year ago when I switched from one vendor (where I earned a straight day rate, and that’s it) to my current vendor, at which point I received about a 5% cost of living raise and all the aforementioned benefits.

And I feel like that’s all a drop in the bucket compared to the salaries, bonuses & RSUs that Apple FTEs receive.

So should I ask for another 20%? 30% 40%?

Side note: The contractor situation is especially weird, because it’s in my vendor’s best interest for me to make as much as possible, since they’re basically skimming off the top.

Any thoughts/feelings/opinions at all related to being a contractor at Apple, especially in Marcom, are welcome!

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TOP 16 Comments
  • Nvidia
    nvsmartpm

    Go to company page Nvidia

    nvsmartpm
    190k by contracting is really good, what do you do?
    May 24, 2018 2
  • Apple / Eng
    NexTime

    Go to company page Apple Eng

    NexTime
    Why not apply for a FTE role?
    May 24, 2018 1
    • Apple
      TorUpFlrUp

      Go to company page Apple

      TorUpFlrUp
      OP
      Would love to. But hasn’t been an option in my current role. Believe me, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it happen. I suppose I could apply to another team or org altogether, but I really like the team I’m on currently and the work I do.
      May 24, 2018
  • Apple
    Okidoki

    Go to company page Apple

    Okidoki
    I don’t know the specifics in marcom but on my team all contractors rates for certain roles are the same and we are not supposed to know how much vendor is paying to their contractor. Let’s say if we are hiring a new contractor and we like someone but that person wants a bit more than the vendor offers, it’s up to the vendor to reduce their share, but they can’t ask the client to pay more because we have a fixed budget. I know a case when a vendor made a big deal out of the negotiation from $40 to $42/hour while vendor’s income was $100/hour and 0 benefits to their employees except a crappy group insurance plan. And I also know a case when this vendor raised an hourly rate to another contractor by $5/hour because the client liked this contractor and wanted to help her get the raise. I am telling you all this because there might be different strategies on how to get a raise: through an upgrade to a different role on a purchase order (if that is possible in your department), or negotiate with your vendor, but keep in mind it might require them to cut their share and they won’t be very willing to do so.
    May 24, 2018 4
    • Apple / IT
      EnV0ke

      Go to company page Apple IT

      EnV0ke
      Sorry to weigh in on this post years later. But would love some input if you guys or others in similar FTE Apple roles could weigh in.

      I've been working for Apple as a contractor for about 3 years, on 3 diff teams. I really want to work dir with Apple but it seems impossible- even though they are happy with my work, I have a lot of responsibility and I even backed up my Apple mgr when she was on an assignment for a few mos. The vendor I'm employed with is really awful. I won't divulge the name, but they provide zero benefits, unless I want to pay through the nose for their awful healthcare ins 100%. They allow 3 sick days per yr because that is the minimum by law. I do great work but have never received a raise,a vacation, feedback, nothing. Question - is it possible to move to another vendor, if so, can anyone tell me how to go about that? I know Apple has a set list of vendors they work with.

      Also, if anyone has advice re: a path towards FTE at Apple, please let me know. I know that they need me and the I do great work. I'm so grateful for any feedback on this.
      3d
    • Apple
      Crutella

      Go to company page Apple

      Crutella
      It is hard to tell, to be honest. Vendors might have signed non-competes with each other and the list of “preferred vendors” is quite limited. My best and brightest contractor ended up going for an FTE role to Google.
      2d
  • Apple
    OEQU54

    Go to company page Apple

    OEQU54
    Hey do you mind if I ask you -- how did you change from one vendor to another one? I'm in a similar position and I know that my team members with other vendors have a better deal. Was it problematic for your managers? Did it cause delays on your work?
    Oct 4, 2018 0
  • Apple
    Derp3

    Go to company page Apple

    Derp3
    Are you hiring ?
    May 24, 2018 0