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Subject:Job Futures for Tech Writing From:"USA::MU17692" <MU17692%USA -dot- decnet -at- USAV01 -dot- GLAXO -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 1 Dec 1994 09:46:00 EST
Bob Morrisette wrote:
>I don't have to spend any time marketing
>my skills (at least for now). Rates for experienced
>writers vary from around $30 to $55. You can receive
>a raise on a long assignment. I have learned about
>many industries and met many great people while
>contracting. It can be a career or used as a bridge
>between permanent jobs. One piece of advice - always
>finish your contract. Your client and agent
>have many contacts and long memories.
I would like to address the many important issues Bob raised here.
1. If you want the good contracts, you should continually market
your skills.
2. If you're an independent contractor, that is, if
you are your own agency, $30 to $40 per hour is the minimum
you should ask. Unfortunately, the minimum is what you get.
I know two independent writers who bill $50 per hour, but they
cannot sustain anywhere near 40 hrs per week at that rate. It's
a trade off: higher gross pay on an annualized basis, or a higher
hourly rate.
Through an agency, people who earn $30 or more per hour are
in the elite category. I interviewed for a contract job recently
at AT&T and the hourly rate was a fantastic $27/hr.
Don't get me wrong, I am not arguing that we are only worth
n$/hr. I am simply trying to provide some balance to the
discussion of the real world for technical communicators.
3. I have received generous raises on my current assignment. I
have been here at Glaxo for 29 months and have received two
raises. I gathered detailed information about my accomplishments
here and used them to show why I *deserved* the raises I asked
for. I am very happy with my cash compensation--I only wish I had
benefits.
4. And I agree in principle with Bob on the last point. You don't
necessarily have to finish your project. What's important is leaving
the client happy. Sometimes you can leave a project when it is near
completion and you're no longer needed. Or, you sometimes can find
a replacement for yourself.
