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Working on contract basis as a structural engineer

Working on contract basis as a structural engineer

Working on contract basis as a structural engineer

(OP)
I was wondering if anyone has any experience and/or advice on working on a contract basis as a structural engineer as opposed to a full-time salaried employee. My motivation for wanting to do so is as follows: 1) I don't need the health and other benefits etc. as I have those from another source 2) I will be moving out of the area in the two years and don't want to commit to a company, and 3) I see the potential to work and get paid for more than 40 hours per week (which is desirable at this time in my life as I am putting kids through college). What would be the range for an hourly rate? I welcome any advice that I can get! Thank you!

RE: Working on contract basis as a structural engineer

Your hourly rate will depend on what your local market can bear, but a good starting point is 3 times the hourly wage you want to earn. Remember, you need to charge a lot more than what you want to earn as a gross salary, because twice as much social security will be taken out, you need to pay for errors and omissions insurance, you need to pay rent and utilities, you don't earn money for doing business development, etc.

DaveAtkins

RE: Working on contract basis as a structural engineer

Do you mean as a 1099 employee or through a shop? In either case, you typically get more than a salaried employee. As a 1099 you'll need to get more to cover for health insurance (because you won't be through a shop that would normally provide that).

Advice? Like any other job: just work hard. The nice thing about being a shopper (as they are sometimes called) is: you typically don't get involved in company politics.

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