[alexjplant]

Last I checked $140k is about the going rate for government contractor software engineering work in the DC/Northern Virginia area. Add $10-20k for a Secret clearance or Public Trust and $30-50k for a Top Secret clearance (though you'll probably have to deal with working in a SCIF at least some of the time with a clearance). I'm pretty sure you can push that latter number even higher if you get a TS/SCI and start doing spooky stuff.

[themitigating]

But that's not w2

[alexjplant]

It was two years ago (and according to my friends in the industry it still is).

[dghlsakjg]

Working on a w2 for a private company that contracts with the government is a world of difference from working on a w2 for the government.

[3np]

What’s w2?

[Sohcahtoa82]

"w2" refers to tax form W-2 [0], which is a form given to direct hire employees during tax filing season.

It contrasts to form 1099 [1] which are given to independent contractors.

[0] https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2

[1] https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-misc