5/25    Let's say I have a day job which brings in $Y/hour.  I have
        been asked to do consulting for another company on the side.
        What should I charge?  $(1.5*Y)? $(2*Y)?  Any suggestions on
        places to look for finding how to set this rate?  Thanks.
        \_ ((ln e) * Y) / i)
        \_ supply & demand.  You can't charge more than what the
           other company willing to pay.
           \_ Do you work at Microsoft Technical Support?  That was a
              perfect completely true but totally worthless answer!
              \_ just to answer a stupid question.   You can charge 2x or 10x
                 if you want to.  It all matters to what the company willing
                 to pay for your work.  If the company don't think it can find
                 someone reliable or capable, heck, they're willing to pay
                 2x, 3x or 5x.  The key is to do your market research and
                 find out what you're worth.  To say that you're worth 1.5x
                 is so bogus.
        \_ The full-benefits cost of an employee, including overhead, is about
           2x salary.  If you're not using their facilities, you could probably
           argue 2x, but if you're at the office and using their equipment
           (which means you're not a contractor in the strictest sense of the
           word), then 1.5x is more appropriate, since you're only saving them
           benefits, not overhead.
        \_ On-the-side jobs are a lot of work.  How much is your spare time
           worth to you?  If it's not enough money, you won't be motivated to
           finish it.
        \_ I did an on the sire job for a few weeks at 1x.  It was a huge pain
        \_ I did an on the site job for a few weeks at 1x.  It was a huge pain
           in the ass and totally not worth it so I dropped it.  At 2x it might
           have almost been worth it.  At 4x I would've been happy.  Remember
           that people think you're worth what they're paying you.  That's not
           as trite as it seems.  I mean it literally.  Whatever you do, you
           should not charge under $100/hr for real IT work.  If you're just
           installing windows patches in some office, then less is ok.  Nothing
           with skills for less than $100.  Remember, it costs them a shitload
           more to hire fulltime to do it and they don't have to pay your
           benefits, etc.  Your current salary is only an amusing tidbit and
           shouldn't have much effect on what you charge since it's likely
           you're underpaid right now.  When did you get a raise?  How much
           would someone with your skills make today in the open market?
           Probably a lot more than you think.  The CSUA salaries I've seen
           posted over the years are always pathetically low.