European Tech-Writer Contract Rates

[Gregory Turnbull <Gregory -dot- Turnbull -at- UBS -dot- COM>]

     This mail is intended to give a different perspective to the Tech-
     Writer salary discussion, at least from a European contractor's point
     of view (I don't have much reliable information on permanent salary
     scales, other than to say they are low). I have been watching European
     rates recently, and have noted the following:

     UK Rates: <$30-45/hr (based on a 1.5 USD/GBP rate), higher-end
     salaries tend to be for specialist knowledge and contracts in
     expensive areas such as London.

     European Rates: $35-55/hr, common locations include Valbonne (South of
     France), Paris, Holland, Germany, etc.; usually in or around capital
     cities. Cost of living, taxation, etc., moderately high; contracts
     vary and include: larger computer companies, banking, telecomms, etc.

     Swiss Rates: $55-90, lots of working restrictions, high cost of
     living, although taxation is low; contracts mainly in banking,
     chemicals, or insurance; locations: Geneva, Zurich, sometimes Basel &
     Lausanne.

     As with any contract rate, you have to look at the length of the
     contract, the number of hours per week/month, any fringe benefits, the
     rate of taxation and living costs, as well as the job location and the
     nature of the work.

     Any information on common rates in Australia and Japan would be
     welcome.

     Greg Turnbull, UBS, Zurich, Switzerland.