Hi all:

I am a Sr. Instructional Designer with 8 years of experience. I currently work full-time; however, I am expecting my first child and am hoping to move to an hourly/contract structure with my employer, with whom I've been for 5 years.

I primarily do needs assessment and design and development of instrutor and student materials for the real estate management field. Our courses (classroom and online) are led by other professionals.

I really have no idea where to begin regarding an hourly rate to propose. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.
-S

You know what your salary is...
There are 2080 hours (more or less) in a year.
So now you can figure what your hourly rate is.

Now, you shouldn't expect that actual number as an hourly rate - that's an advantage you have as a FT salaried employee. In my experience you might be able to ask for about 2/3rds that amount as an actual hourly rate - but that may depend on what the benefits situation is. But at least you have a base to work from.

This page may help:
http://www.hr.arizona.edu/04_cb/comp/fyhours.php

Good luck!
Erik

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CapeMedia,

I would check on things like health care and other benefits like 401K's, etc. You might not continue to get these if you go to an hourly rate. A lot depends on how your organization sets it up and for how long. If benefits drop out you will have to add enough to your hourly rate to make up the difference - just as consultants do. In any case, you should not be losing money on this. There are a lot of factors to be considered in coming up with a fair rate. Normally it is a lot more than your hourly rate as a FT employee.

Thanks for the information.

Regardless of my current salary and benefits, etc., what might be a "going rate" for an experienced instructional designer in an average city market?

Trying to do some comparisons here...I would give up all benefits so I need to account for that too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: designer,

Typically, an hourly rate as a contractor will be at least as much if not more than what you might be grossing hourly full time because as a 1099 contractor, the employer will not be handling any of the paperwork except to process your invoice and print a check. No benefits, no retirement packages, no handling of witholding, etc. There are sites that help you look up typical rates and salaries for positions in a particular geographic area. I think Monster.com used to have something. Try some of the career sites and have a look. Best of luck to you!!