My boss told me today that "typical" pay for contractors in my engineering field at this company is $75/hour. That seemed low considering my hourly rate is already closer to $65/hour, plus 3 weeks vacation, 2 weeks of sick time, standard bonus of 20%, good benefits, employee stock purchase, 401K matching, etc.
Your boss is surely mistaken. It sounds as if he is looking at salary only without any overhead. I work with budgets and have access to thousands of rates for many companies. I've never seen a rate that low for skilled or unskilled labor.
GSA Advantage has thousands of contractor rates that you can use for comparison purposes.
*Edited to include an actual GSA entry with engineering rates and position descriptions. (below)GSA Awarded Rates:
Labor Category / Minimum Education / Minimum Experience / GSA Awarded Rate
Principal/Sr. Program Manager Bachelors 25 $314.11
Sr. Project Mgr/Sr. Systems Engr Bachelors 20 $244.31
Project Mgr/Systems Engr Bachelors 17 $209.40
Senior Engineer Bachelors 12 $167.54
Staff Engineer Bachelors 8 $132.64
Designer Bachelors 15 $104.83
Administrative Support Bachelors 11 $76.70
Labor Category Descriptions:
Principal/Sr. Program Manager
Organization Relationship: Assigned to Project, Program, Task or provides direct support to a Task
Leader. May function as a Task/Program/Project Leader.
Reports to: Principal or Assigned Lead
Knowledge: Senior Technical/Engineering professional who acts as a leader or adviser in complex and
critical client projects. Performs specialized tasks associated with program/project technical and
management requirements. Possesses advanced knowledge of management and program execution
principles as well as methods and techniques used in area of technical expertise. This position requires
well developed leadership qualities, communications, and program/project management skills. Works
independently on efforts. Position requires managing other employees and performing tasking.
Education/Experience:
BS degree in a Technical Discipline; 25 years of experience in related activities;
MS degree in a Technical Discipline; 23 years of experience in related activities;
PhD. Degree in a Technical Discipline; 21 years of experience in related activities;
28 years of directly applicable experience, no degree.
Senior Project Manager/ Senior System Engineer
Organization Relationship: Assigned to Project, Program, or Task and provides direct support to a Task
Leader. May function as Task/Project Leader.
Source:
http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/sinDetails.do?executeQuery=YES&scheduleNumber=871&flag=&filter=&specialItemNumber=871+2