European Tech-Editors Contract Rates 1998, please.

[Gina Gilson <gilson -at- WXS -dot- NL>]

I checked the archives, and found an overview of European tech-writer
contract rates dated 4 October 1996. Would anyone be willing to share an
updated version of *editor* contract rates and permanent salary scales
for Europe and, in particular, Holland?

Have the rates changed from the time Greg Turnbull posted this message?

Can anyone share with me editing tips and maintaining a good
writer/editor relationship beyond buying Judith Tarutz' book, "Technical
Editing: The practical guide for editors and writers?"

Thank you for your help, Gina

__________Greg's Message from 1996____________

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.


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