200k independent contractor or 110k fed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread, but want to comment on the flexibility as a fed. I am a fed and in research, and my office is incredibly flexible when it comes to adjusting time and leave. That's something that I think is just very dependent on exactly where you work.

Definitely, very office and manager dependent. Even if you are your 'own' boss, you really have more bosses in the form of clients and it's hard to predict how demanding they will be.

I do worry OP that independent contracting is not for you because you 'don't think [you] need to market [yourself] much'. I think a key part of any sole proprietorship is business development. You have to build contacts and maneuver of the marketplace changes. Assume your current job offers an oppportunity for a contract role, but then some bigger company comes in and provides same service at half your costs. You have to market your self to demonstrate why you are worth it and then to find new business if you are rolled off the contract.

It sounds like you are a bit of a space geek who sees the bigger money by going independent, but aren't really thrilled about the business part of being your own business? I would look at private industry with a major tech company, more innovation than your Fed position it sounds like and definitely greater salary growth, since it sounds like that is your priority

I'm a PP, and this is a good point. I was an independent contractor for a while with a lot more experience than OP. I definitely had to do business development, even though my skills were very in demand. I also had to learn a lot about taxes, corporate structure, and contracts. All very doable, but it's stuff I had to do. Ultimately, I took a well-paid job with a small consulting firm, because I was pregnant and wanted stable income for a little while.

615 here. I also looked into independent contracting. I did a bit of work at a high rate (250/hr), and could not help but think that, if I could do it for 1000/yr, that would be 250k/yr. But, as I investigated, it was a unique set of circumstances that let me bill 250/hr for 30 hrs. They needed my specific expertise. Basically, they were paying me for what I could write rather than what I could do. Doing, I would be lucky to get 1/2 that rate.

I ended up leaving my job, going to a really small company who would provide the corporate framework (security, taxes, insurance, etc). But, after three months, I was asked to come back to the big company. A bit more money, but more importantly, more appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, agree with 615 and thanks all for the discussion points! I really don't think I need to market myself much, I'm an 29 year old aerospace engineer focused on orbital mechanics. Not many of us and space is a growing field, think SpaceX. Have a wife and young child dependant on me so risk is a big deal, although I could survive 6 months with no pay and not dip into retirement savings. I've been a huge saver.

I'm probably going to stay fed for now and see what else comes up. Maybe a mid-size contracting firm would be great to get the feel for a smaller place. Wish I knew how to get ahead, but i know staying fed wont do it since years of service seem to matter more than productivity.

Retreating to the safety of the federal government is not a way to get ahead. It's a way to be mediocre and remain steadily employed. You get ahead taking risks. I assure you, i have not even a fraction of your level of education, but i enjoy risks. Id rather have my arm amputated than work for the federal government for the pocket change they pay while being surrounded by people who are chronically scared or even worse, complacent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, agree with 615 and thanks all for the discussion points! I really don't think I need to market myself much, I'm an 29 year old aerospace engineer focused on orbital mechanics. Not many of us and space is a growing field, think SpaceX. Have a wife and young child dependant on me so risk is a big deal, although I could survive 6 months with no pay and not dip into retirement savings. I've been a huge saver.

I'm probably going to stay fed for now and see what else comes up. Maybe a mid-size contracting firm would be great to get the feel for a smaller place. Wish I knew how to get ahead, but i know staying fed wont do it since years of service seem to matter more than productivity.

Retreating to the safety of the federal government is not a way to get ahead. It's a way to be mediocre and remain steadily employed. You get ahead taking risks. I assure you, i have not even a fraction of your level of education, but i enjoy risks. Id rather have my arm amputated than work for the federal government for the pocket change they pay while being surrounded by people who are chronically scared or even worse, complacent.

No snark, but do you have a family dependent on your income? Does that not play into your decision at all? I'm the breadwinner, and at the top of the GS-scale. I enjoy risks myself, I moved to DC from ATL with no job five years ago after law school. I've been a fed for four years, and am bored. However, I do like job security because I have a young family dependent on my income. While I was able to take any risk whatsoever when I was 25, now I do have others to think about as well.

[Anonymous]

I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

Better salaries are from the small sub contractors. NG and Lockheed have huge overhead and their salaries reflect it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, agree with 615 and thanks all for the discussion points! I really don't think I need to market myself much, I'm an 29 year old aerospace engineer focused on orbital mechanics. Not many of us and space is a growing field, think SpaceX. Have a wife and young child dependant on me so risk is a big deal, although I could survive 6 months with no pay and not dip into retirement savings. I've been a huge saver.

I'm probably going to stay fed for now and see what else comes up. Maybe a mid-size contracting firm would be great to get the feel for a smaller place. Wish I knew how to get ahead, but i know staying fed wont do it since years of service seem to matter more than productivity.

Retreating to the safety of the federal government is not a way to get ahead. It's a way to be mediocre and remain steadily employed. You get ahead taking risks. I assure you, i have not even a fraction of your level of education, but i enjoy risks. Id rather have my arm amputated than work for the federal government for the pocket change they pay while being surrounded by people who are chronically scared or even worse, complacent.

We were all young and foolish too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

Better salaries are from the small sub contractors. NG and Lockheed have huge overhead and their salaries reflect it.

For technical lead but not supervisor what would be salary range between the two? I assume advancing to something like director would get up to $200k, from Glassdoor?

What considered small, like STG?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

Better salaries are from the small sub contractors. NG and Lockheed have huge overhead and their salaries reflect it.

For technical lead but not supervisor what would be salary range between the two? I assume advancing to something like director would get up to $200k, from Glassdoor?

What considered small, like STG?

Salary varies depending on how much they want you. Small is anywhere from 5-60 people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

Better salaries are from the small sub contractors. NG and Lockheed have huge overhead and their salaries reflect it.

For technical lead but not supervisor what would be salary range between the two? I assume advancing to something like director would get up to $200k, from Glassdoor?

What considered small, like STG?

Salary varies depending on how much they want you. Small is anywhere from 5-60 people.

Interesting, so no hard numbers? It sounds more like niche jobs they are filing with an SME rather than an open engineering position such as would be listed in indeed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

Better salaries are from the small sub contractors. NG and Lockheed have huge overhead and their salaries reflect it.

For technical lead but not supervisor what would be salary range between the two? I assume advancing to something like director would get up to $200k, from Glassdoor?

What considered small, like STG?

Salary varies depending on how much they want you. Small is anywhere from 5-60 people.

Interesting, so no hard numbers? It sounds more like niche jobs they are filing with an SME rather than an open engineering position such as would be listed in indeed?

The post subject gives the hard numbers. Not niche jobs, just IT jobs as a contractor. You find the small companies and apply to the company and then find the job. Most of the job postings aren't even for real positions and they are trying to get resumes. Sometimes it is to find you a job, other times it to give you a fake offer letter to use you to bid for jobs. Sounds like you should stay out of the contracting world if you don't know any of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

Better salaries are from the small sub contractors. NG and Lockheed have huge overhead and their salaries reflect it.

Lockheed mostly promotes internally for the principal engineer positions, which earn around 150-170k. However, those positions are very difficult to get without the networking and engineering performance. Every project, presentation, etc... is a competition where your peers will always try to discredit your work. It's how the game is played. Most engineers stay senior level... 1 out of 100probably make it to principle. Better chances of earning 150-200k going back to school at a top university for computer science to work at Microsoft, google, Facebook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an aerospace engineer from up thread working at a govt contracting body shop working with NASA. Make about $120k but would like to ramp that salary up so my DW can SAH. We have friends who were govt lawyers who want private and tripled salary. Don't know of any engineering routes that would be similar? Maybe starting own contracting company but seems very risky?

For technical people, it is much harder to get the big bucks. (I am 615 from upthread). The problem is there is not significant demand for our skills outside of gov't, and gov't sets the rates. In your case, there are other companies (e.g., orbital, spacex, etc.) Starting your own company is very risky; most fail. But the way to make real money is to start a company, and get people working for you. If you have people earning about 100K working for you, you should be able to get 10-15K/person profit. If you can grow to 100 people, figure you are clearing 1 mil/year. But, you have to find the work. And that is hard.

I have talked to a few of the aerospace startups and mid size firms like orbital and salaries were only about $20k more, though stocks options may yield a big bump of $500k or so down the road IF rosy projections hold true. Bit of a gamble and doesn't help in current hope for SAH.

What about other technical industries like data operations at google or something? Would pay be much higher or really it's business owner or nothing?

What are top technical salaries at a NG or Lockheed going to be?

Better salaries are from the small sub contractors. NG and Lockheed have huge overhead and their salaries reflect it.

Lockheed mostly promotes internally for the principal engineer positions, which earn around 150-170k. However, those positions are very difficult to get without the networking and engineering performance. Every project, presentation, etc... is a competition where your peers will always try to discredit your work. It's how the game is played. Most engineers stay senior level... 1 out of 100probably make it to principle. Better chances of earning 150-200k going back to school at a top university for computer science to work at Microsoft, google, Facebook.

This is only true if you are only on a project with Lockheed. Its not for the big gov't contracts where there are lots of primes and subs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, agree with 615 and thanks all for the discussion points! I really don't think I need to market myself much, I'm an 29 year old aerospace engineer focused on orbital mechanics. Not many of us and space is a growing field, think SpaceX. Have a wife and young child dependant on me so risk is a big deal, although I could survive 6 months with no pay and not dip into retirement savings. I've been a huge saver.

I'm probably going to stay fed for now and see what else comes up. Maybe a mid-size contracting firm would be great to get the feel for a smaller place. Wish I knew how to get ahead, but i know staying fed wont do it since years of service seem to matter more than productivity.

You are young, no need to give up on like and be a fed, do that when you are over 60

Silliness. Contractors have very little say and are forced to shine the boots of Feds