What is on Your Mind?

Have any IT consultants here been on a project where you knew the bill rate was really high but you only got a tiny piece of it (like paid $60/hr and billed out around $200)? Does anyone know of a company that pays consultants well - like 70-80% or more of what they're getting?

Well, first make sure there is only one layer! Then, deal with the limited number of approved vendors for each major customer. Finally, negotiate. Taking more than a third is pretty greedy, but not uncommon. Watch out for other ways, like goofy 401-K's selected and managed by the personnel manager's father that only sell wrappered securities and take management fees, match but vesting takes forever. I had some unvested match, which I would vest in instantly if disabled, but they terminated the plan to reel it back in.

Which companies limit the number of layers? Any recommendations? Now that you mention the 401k, if a company can offer a higher % of the bill rate AND 401k, insurance, etc... that would be great!! What about other "full-time" perks like regular pay periods?

If you expect to be treated like an employee, expect to be paid about 40% of the rate the customer is billed.
If you want more, be prepared to find your own clients, and have only 20 billable hours per week.

What about IQ Tech Pros or Comsys? Does anyone have experience with either of them?

It is easiest to find a job when you have a job, as they know they have to outbid your current employer. The trick is to not jump around too often. A contractor can be like the Lone Ranger (dating my self here, Tonto), "My work there was done." Really short durations many times looks bad, regardless.

Sadly, businesses will pay to keep a silver bullet on hand for peace of mind, even if there are no monsters, only rats, to kill. So, in addition to pay, you might target some good tech and places where you build something impressive. That boosts your next pay. Avoid becoming a museum keeper, although that pays well, too, but is always a way to end up dry like a mummy.