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I would charge around $68 an hour, with a discount off the total invoice if
paid in 15 days. I used to give around a 2% discount for a quick pay.
You will want to stipulate up front that your invoices must be paid in 30
days, but 15 days would be best. If they don't pay in 30 days, stop work.
Many government contractors will assume that they can pay you in 90 days,
which just won't work for a small business.
Dont' forget that insurance will be much more expensive than with an
employer. Even if you get a discounted rate through STC or another
organization.
Good luck,
PT
On Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 1:27 PM, Mark Filiatreau <mfiliatreau -at- psi-it -dot- com>wrote:
> It will be 1099.
> Thanks, Margaret, that's the kind of info I'm looking for.
>
> Mark D. Filiatreau
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Margaret Cekis [mailto:Margaret -dot- Cekis -at- comcast -dot- net]
> Sent: Monday, September 12, 2011 2:22 PM
> To: Mark Filiatreau; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: RE: What's a good freelance rate for technical writers?
>
> Mark Filiatreau asked, "What's a good freelance rate for technical
> writers?
> ...in a place like the hyper-expensive Washington, DC, area?... my
> company
> has already asked me to be available as a contractor on an as-needed
> basis.
> I was asked, "What's your rate?"...My "gross rate" on my paycheck is
> about
> $40/hour,
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Mark:
> Will it be on a W-2 or a 1099 contract? If it is a W-2, the company will
> pay
> half your FICA and Medicare taxes, and you will be covered by
> unemployment
> insurance. The company can/will withhold funds toward your Federal,
> State
> and municipal income tax, if applicable. If it is a 1099, you will have
> to
> pay all of the FICA and Medicare taxes, you will not be covered by
> unemployment, and you will have to file quarterly estimated US income
> taxes
> to the IRS. This makes a big difference in the rate you should charge.
> For a
> W-2, I'd up my hourly salary by 35-50%, or ask for $55-60. If it is a
> 1099,
> I'd double it, or ask for at least $75-80.
> Margaret Cekis, Johns Creek GA
>
>
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