Underpaid Freelancer?
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- unknown0
100.00 an hour... come on man ... I work a ten to twelve hour work day (if not more). Although it would be great to make $1200.00 a day, that's $6,000.00 a week- $24,000.00 a month, $288,000.00 a year. SadistcJay you make more than most doctors and lawyers. Good for you, seems all that drop shadow "attention" you give pays off.
I charge depending on the project. If it's a realtively easy project I don't go and ask for 60.00 an hour to make three banner ads, and copy and paste style sheets. I charge relative to the project and budget. I made as much as 75.00 an hour and as little as 10.00 an hour. On average I charge 25.00 to $30.00 an hour. Don't cheat yourself but don't get full of yourself either. This week I worked on a ten page site, with logo and content already organized by the client. A local firm wanted $1500.00 to do the site, I did it for $400.00 and it took me 5 hours of work. $1500.00 to upload to a server and add some minor graphics and tweak the CSS....please. I did another print project the same day for 300.00 that took me 4 hours. So in one day I made $700.00 by being reasonable and realistic. So actually I made more than SadisticJay this day.
I don't feel my job is hard at all. I love design and working for myself and with the companies that hire me. Playing with colors and concepts and layout is fun for me. I don't believe that any of it is brain surgery and love going to work everyday. Be realistic and things will come together just fine.
- Mimio0
Some contract jobs just have a ceiling per profession. I know a lot of the larger agencies near me won't pay Flash guy more than 65/hour.
- Seph0
radiosilent - I'm with you 100%
I've noticed, it often happens on NT.
Start talking about rates and many people feel the need to grossly exagerate.
Come on people, this guy asked PV-AN for some honest advice, which in principle is what NT is for. Can we give him some honest answers now please.
- Seph0
When I lived in London about 3 years ago I was charging £20 - £30 an hour for simple flash work, not too much AS.
I was charging between £40 - £50 for complex flash stuff, DB connectivity and heavy AS.
And for Director Lingo work I was charging between £60 - £90.
I have a feeling that prices havent really gone up that much in the last 3 years.
Obviously if I was working for a bigger client I might push up the prices fractionally, but mainly to give the impression that I wasnt some fly-by-night.
- ********0
yeah, but when the gov is taxing you at 40% as self employed, then u still got other bills, (personal), and i do have a office in hollywood (rent, phone, equip, parking, etc), i live in LA. so $3000 for a simple website isnt too much to ask for. i try to average $4000-$5000 per. at the end of the day i might make $800 off it if im lucky.
- Mimio0
If you're paying more than 28.4% being self-employed , then your accountant is a fucking moron.
- unknown0
It's not the clients fault you have to pay taxes. Hell McDonald workers have to pay taxes too but they have to do it out of 6.75 and hour. You wanted to be freelance then you have to deal with it. If you worked at a firm do you think they are going to give you a 100.00 an hour cause you have to pay taxes? They give you the same 25 to 50 and just take that taxes out.
The tax excuse is lame.
- cinder0
All you people quoting hourly rates need to realize that the 'standard rate' varies wildly depending on location and experience.
Charge $50/hour in some towns and you'll get laughed out.
Obviously, in big cities, it's very possible - IF you have the experience and skill sto back it up.
- ********0
"If you're paying more than 28.4% being self-employed , then your accountant is a fucking moron. "
sorry i meant 30%. that is the rate for self employed. i got hit with back taxes for a job i didnt claim a few years ago. my fee was $4100. my taxes: $1230. i didnt say that you cant use tax breaks, thats why you have accountants/CPA's. if you work for someone, your tax rate varies depending on what you claim, but for us full time self employed peeps, its 30%. then you can claim stuff to reduce what u owe.