[conductr]

I'm talking in generalizations of course. Although I did a quick google search and it seems you are asking roughly 1.5-2x going rates in Germany even for experienced devs. I'm sure your more aware of market rates in your locale than me but it feels like I'm paying a premium at this price. For me, it would have to match up with some specialized skills or some 'reason' to justify it.

The larger view I hold, that many don't agree with, is a) if I've already decided to go remote and b) my budget is $50k then c) I could hire a small team in India/Asia. I've personally never had problems sourcing talent in those locales with my types of workloads; which I admit are rather basic (web apps, ios, devops, etc). I'm not sure if that would be the case if I was building something hard like a new database or something.

[em-bee]

i was looking at the US market. and i am talking about the upper bound of the range that i think i can ask for. for germany my expectations are lower. since so many applications ask for a salary expectations (some requiring a number to be filled in to even be able to submit the application), it matters to pick a good number. it shouldn't be to low, nor to high.

[conductr]

Definitely your choice to make in terms of what salary you'd accept however I don't really understand the strategy of yours. I, or any US company, could just hire in the US if I was paying higher US rates. I could avoid the timezone issues, potential language issues, would be easier to get together in person if ever needed, etc. and I don't have to learn/concern myself with German employment laws.

All things equal, skills and such, I think it would be fairly easy to find a US based candidate at this price for part-time work. So why would I bother hiring from another country unless it saves me money?

[em-bee]

there is no strategy. i see a job that is not limited to US only, that fits my qualifications and i apply. if there is a question about salary, i try to guess what i should put there. i am afraid if i don't put enough it is also a negative selection criteria. so that is what i am trying to figure out now. for jobs that don't even ask for a salary it's a moot point.

I don't have to learn/concern myself with German employment laws

if you don't have a subsidiary in the EU or some kind of employer of record through which you hire someone one from the EU, then the employment laws would not be relevant to you. it would just be a contractor relationship.

why would I bother hiring from another country unless it saves me money?

good point. definitely something to consider. thank you.