[JMTQp8lwXL]

When you're employed by someone else, they'll cover their half of FICA taxes (6.2% each), offer health insurance, HSA contributions. It might be possible in Atlanta to secure a compensation package that includes RSUs or access to an ESPP plan.

I'm not sure if you are covering both halves of FICA or not, but the above benefits could explain the difference, e.g., $120k + benefits = $160k.

Financials aside: If you're the type of person that likes switching companies once every 12 to 18 months, contracting could be a good fit. In my personal view, to really master a role, you need to be in it longer than that. It takes a junior engineer a couple years to become mid-level; the same for mid-level, to senior, and so forth.

[r3vo]

I'm actually a W2 through an agency, so the other half of my FICA is covered by the agency. The agency also provides some health insurance.

> likes switching companies once every 12 to 18 months

This does kind of resonate with me. I'm kind of restless now having been working on the same project for a year.

I don't think the benefits adds up to a 40K difference a year. As I said, I get health insurace, but no 401k matching. If I got something like 10% 401k matching I'd get about $400 per pay period ($400 * 12 = 4800).

I'm worried that these salary guys are going to be in some wildly better position in 10+ year because they committed to a company. But I don't really see how they will be.

Thank you so much for the response.