If you are a great dev, ask for what you are worth
You don't have to be a great dev to be worth north of $150 an hour. Step 1: get inserted into the part of the company that makes money. Step 2: adjust any knob available such that they make more money. Step 3: get in the habit of citing Step 2 when you aggressively negotiate salary.
100-150 an hour? I have 6 years of experience and I can hardly get more than $70 an hour in NYC. Maybe I'm not a "great" developer.
Re:The War For Talent
by solutionyogi on Saturday March 19, 2011 @12:32PM
(#2343981)
I was also making around 70$ to 80$ an hour. I decided to get in to Wall St (Investment Banks/Hedge Funds) and now I am able to make more than 100$/hour. In NYC, other than finance industry, I haven't seen anyone paying more than 100$/hour.
It depends on what you do, but if you're a freelancer, finding your own clients, managing your own projects, and paying for your own social security and benefits, then 100/hr is fair for a good programmer in NYC. It is comparable to 100K full-time, full-benefit work, which is at around what one of USV's NYC portfolio companies will offer you if you're a good programmer w/ 6 years experience.
If you feel you are underpaid, then apply for one of those positions on USV's portfolio jobs page. All of their NYC companies are awesome.
Don't be fooled by cheap gimmicks. You can buy your own Dr Pepper.