Keep in mind that Toptal keeps a significant chunk of that so a developer is left with much less. I am on Toptal platform myself and think that it's most suited for those like me that are from countries with a relatively cheap cost of living.

What % do they keep?

I was told it could be around 50%.

A bit late to the party, but they don't keep a percentage of your rate. You set your rate and that is what you get paid. Whatever they take as commission is between them and the client.

Source: I work with Toptal.

In maybe 3 or 4 cities worldwide, sure, you might be right. That leaves plenty locations where $80 per hour is insanely well paid. And most folks live in those other locations - including some top-3% experts!

I'm not in Toptal, but a friend is and he asks for around $5k a month. Here in Brazil it's insanely good. I don't personally know anyone else who receives more than him here, actually. In software dev or anything else. I don't go around asking how much people make, though.

5k a month is ridiculously good in South America. Even if he's doing taxes like he should (which would bring him more in line with the averages for a senior software dev.) it's probably 30% to 50% more than he'd get as a salaried employee.

$80/h is peanuts only in SV. It's totally viable for "top 3%" of eastern european of "experts in the field".

$80/h would be great for a full-time employee in most of the US (outside of SV of course - a safe place to sleep doesn't have to start at $4k/month).

For a freelancer it would suck. I'd be a nervous wreck every time I found myself between clients. Which is why I'm not a freelancer. If I could get $100+/hour, I probably would be :)

Lets choose SF since it's a pretty popular tech hub:

$80/hr in SF = Lets assume 10/12 months billable (optimistic) the rest looking for clients or on vacation that gives you 80 * 8 * 5 * 4 * 10 = $128,000

28% federal income tax + 15.3% self employment tax + 7.25% California state income tax = 55.55% in tax.

After tax 128000 - (128000 * .5555) = $56,896 Average 1bd in SF: $3250 (https://www.rentjungle.com/average-rent-in-san-francisco-ren...) * 12 = $39,000 per year.

$56,896 - $39,000 = $17,896.

Cheapest health insurance for a year (http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/health-insurance-premium...): $6,000 or so

$17,896 - $6,000 = $11,896

$500/mo for food = $6,000/yr, $11,896 - $6,000 = $5,896 W/S/G + Electric = $50/mo, $600/yr, $5,896 - $600 = $5,296 Internet + Phone = $600/yr = $4,696

So yeah that's not actually a lot depending on your location. I am sure if you are a great developer living in Thailand than $80/hr makes you a baller.

I'm curious for some examples where a front-end dev. installing premium themes and creating custom ones is making a huge amount over $80/hr?

Chances are TopTal takes a 30% cut

30%? That would be huge.

$80 is peanuts?? Where can I work to get a salary like that?? lol

I think the plus sign specifically means that it can be more?

Fair point. Let's hope.

Price is a signal and they're diluting their brand with such low rates.

Right? Top talent in software engineering can generate billions in revenue through their work. Getting paid $80 per hour to help your client make 2 billion annually? Fuck that.