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by petesergeant 836 days ago
> London software engineering day rates are around £400-500

Yikes, really? In that case they’re unchanged in the last 12-15 years.

2 comments

That looks low to me but at least the openly advertised rates do seem to have taken a hit since COVID and the recent IR35 mess. Both caused a rapid and industry-wide shock that seems to have overcome the upward pressure on rates (at least for the good people) that would exist in a normal competitive market.
Moving abroad remains the best "increase your salary" hack.
Where "abroad" is pretty much US or Switzerland?
Singapore, UAE. Even Canada pays better than the UK.
UAE has the advantage of being tax-free too, which adds ann extra 30%ish to take-home, although many people work very long hours. Also the weather is phenomenal 8 months of the year (although unliveable the rest), and your employer is on the hook to pay for exceptional health insurance. For a professional couple without kids, it can be a great way to save money, although costs are comparable to London.

I was doing well living there and doing contract work out of US EST.