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A comment on Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software freelancing?.

Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by tuckerwales on Monday November 07, 2016 @04:22PM (#12895259)
I'm a 21 year-old who has recently gotten into contracting to supplement my primary income (a Software Engineering Apprentice for a Defence contractor).

I earn £12 an hour for my contract work, which I'm quite happy with at the moment because 10 hours a week means I get an extra £500 per month (which is considerable at my age, it pays my rent and bills and some).

I know it doesn't seem much, but I think I'm actually quite lucky to be able to get a gig at my age with my experience.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by qume on Monday November 07, 2016 @04:59PM (#12895594)
Great to hear you are happy, but I do think you're being exploited. I'm pretty sure you can flip burgers for £12.

I hope this motivates you to ask for more.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by tuckerwales on Monday November 07, 2016 @05:40PM (#12895900)
I'm a little hesitant to ask for more, because I'm really not in a position right now (for a couple of months, anyway) to be able to afford losing that extra income...
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by karmajunkie on Monday November 07, 2016 @06:01PM (#12896055)
I sympathize with that, but what you should also consider is that by greatly undercharging the market rate, you're actually depressing wages for other in your peer group.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by fightfortheuser on Monday November 07, 2016 @06:42PM (#12896334)
and you'll just keep getting more low-end work. The next client you get, double your rate, don't even bat an eye when you quote it, and you'll be surprised when people say yes.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by tuckerwales on Tuesday November 08, 2016 @08:11AM (#12899900)
Thanks for the advice guys.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by mobiuscog on Tuesday November 08, 2016 @04:25AM (#12898823)
How do you get into something like that, whilst working elsewhere as a day job ? I'm curious how you'd start - I mean do you have an agent, or did you just start marketing yourself ?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by tuckerwales on Thursday November 10, 2016 @05:50AM (#12919335)
I was referred by somebody that I know from Twitter...
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by beachstartup on Monday November 07, 2016 @05:11PM (#12895687)
charge more. like 5x more.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How much do you earn on average through software ... by fightfortheuser on Monday November 07, 2016 @06:42PM (#12896336)
Agreed.
[ Parent | on HN ]