Spot on! I was on the verge of writing almost the same reply only to find yours.
Let's crunch the numbers:
52 weeks/year - 4 weeks for vacation = 48 weeks
$500,000 / 48 weeks = $10,417 / week
$10,417 / 1 week * 1 week/ 100 hours = $104.17/hr
As a freelance developer, in the US, and particularly in this startup economy (bubble?), it is entirely possible to earn 500k/year working 100 hours/week. Most modest freelancers I know these days charge at least $100/hr -- and many of them are clearly under selling themselves.
jasonkester above asks what I consider the better question: do you want to work 100hrs/week?
As a freelancer, you'd be better off charging a higher rate than $100/hr, if you have the skills and marketing to back it up, and working fewer hours.
Me? I'm with jasonkester. I'll stick my "anemic" 25-30 billable hours/week and retain some semblance of sanity.
Oh, and not working for the fat cats on Wall St? Priceless.
I recently quoted $100/h for a side job I am doing for somebody. Though, we decided on a second option where I'm working for less, but get to GPL the deliverable code when I'm done.
Let's crunch the numbers:
52 weeks/year - 4 weeks for vacation = 48 weeks
$500,000 / 48 weeks = $10,417 / week
$10,417 / 1 week * 1 week/ 100 hours = $104.17/hr
As a freelance developer, in the US, and particularly in this startup economy (bubble?), it is entirely possible to earn 500k/year working 100 hours/week. Most modest freelancers I know these days charge at least $100/hr -- and many of them are clearly under selling themselves.
jasonkester above asks what I consider the better question: do you want to work 100hrs/week?
As a freelancer, you'd be better off charging a higher rate than $100/hr, if you have the skills and marketing to back it up, and working fewer hours.
Me? I'm with jasonkester. I'll stick my "anemic" 25-30 billable hours/week and retain some semblance of sanity.
Oh, and not working for the fat cats on Wall St? Priceless.