Thread regarding ConocoPhillips layoffs

Total benefit package convert to Equivalent hourly rate working domestic & overseas

I was laid off a year ago and now finally was looking at a 2-months contract consultant job in Congo. I was asked how much is my hourly rate. I have not seen any website hinting the equivalent pay working as an employee as compared to a consultant. How much would be a reasonable hourly rate (no other benefits offered other than a returned plane ticket and a place to live) compared to being employed with COP, considering now that there is:

No group accident insurance coverage

No 401(K) contribution,

No Social Security contribution

No pension,

No medical health care (family with 2 kids)

No dental and vision care plan,

No holiday pay,

No vacation pay,

(any other benefits I left out??)

(For oversea assignment)

No expatriate premium,

No transportation allowance,

No tax assistance or tax preparation assistance

If I was making $130,000 a year, what would be the hourly rate equivalent for oversea consulting?

If I was making $170,000 a year, what would be the hourly rate equivalent for oversea consulting?

If I was making $130,000 a year, what would be the hourly rate equivalent for domestic consulting?

If I was making $170,000 a year, what would be the hourly rate equivalent for domestic consulting?

However, to make apple-to-apple comparison, what is your calculated total benefit package that comes up to be converted to hourly rate (I used 2100 working hours in a year). That is the question for this posting.

I understand that for the last few years a consultant can fetch $1200 to $1500 per day (so called 8 hour day but consultant worked 10 to 12 hours but charged for 8 hour). With the current oil price environment and the great supply of hungry consultant this day rate sure decimated.

Thank you for your discussion and wise comment. To summarize, my questions is:

$130,000/yr domestic = ? $/hr

$170,000/yr domestic = ? $/hr

$130,000/yr in US but worked as expatriate = ?$/hr

$170,000/yr in US but worked as expatriate = ?$/hr

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| 3071 views | | 11 replies (last October 20, 2017) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+PEgiA5z

11 replies (most recent on top)

A problem with one the previous poster's scenario is that he/she is a temporary consultant to an consulting firm. It's a shame, but the only way the consulting firm makes money by marking up your labor. The lower they get your pay the more money they make. You can bet they pass the bill for your time to their client at >$200/hr. Ideally, you'd like to cut out the middle man - it's the only way to make your previous salary.

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Post ID: @cgns+PEgiA5z

to the original poster: you can calculate all you wanted to the exact cents and scenario or assumptions, however the real world out there is not paying what you wanted.

I am a drilling engineer with 30 years experience. Three weeks ago I interviewed with Sofomation to work with Kuwait Oil Company for 28/28. The daily consultant rate they offered was $600 per day or $75 per hour and I had to turn it down.

Yesterday, I interviewed with Quantum Reservoir Impact, a consulting company in downtown Houston for a 4 weeks gig. They were impressed with my resume but when I asked for $1000 a day (or $125/hr), they say I had to reconsider to much less than that. I figured they are expecting 30% to 40% less than what I asked for. So, the interview ended with me rejecting the job offer without a second meeting to negotiate with their HR.

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Post ID: @cqbv+PEgiA5z

I've recently had reason to do these same calculations.

Depending on your base pay, It's between 1.75 to 1.9 x your base divided by 2080. The higher your base, the lower your overall multiple due to fixed cost such as social security wage base and health insurance. Travel is separate.

To equal a base pay of $130,000, you should anticipate an hourly rate of around $115. For $170,000 it should be around $145.

Consulting engineers and geologists with 20+ of very specialized experience are getting from $150 to $200/hr.

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Post ID: @bloo+PEgiA5z

Ex-ConocoPhillips Laysoff consultants are ready to work for $ 30 /hour..domestic and $ 20 / hr Overseas..

Cell phone/Food/Transportation is all yours

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Post ID: @4sir+PEgiA5z

I'd go with the average cost of a consultant (150$/hr = $1200/d).

It usually covers all expenses of the consulting company but it all goes in your pocket, so it should work. It might be on the low end, but it could give more chances at the beginning in this depressed environment.

Anways, it looks like you are well started doing the math.

Good luck

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Post ID: @3nhf+PEgiA5z

If you still want to work in this industry I'd take it as long as you're net positive. You can always negotiate again after a few months.

I too was laid off a year ago, and I quickly grew weary of the dearth of opportunities in O&G. Now working PT, just to bring in a few bucks, while taking classes FT in another field.

Best of luck

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Post ID: @3kuf+PEgiA5z

Too complicated, go with $5/hour.

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Post ID: @3hkn+PEgiA5z

Contact the recruiter and express concern with the hourly rate. No equivalent employee / contractor rate of pay. A layoff 12 months prior and prospects of a 2 month contract on the other side of the world in a 3rd world country does not indicate a high level of leverage one way or another. Time to get back to work.

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Post ID: @3plr+PEgiA5z

If you are not smart enough to figure this out yourself, you're probably not smart enough to be a contract worker.

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Post ID: @2brk+PEgiA5z

It's more than just hourly rate you need to think of. Three's nothing worse than getting to a job and realizing you've contracted yourself to 1/2 the pay of those around you. Worse would be pricing yourself out of a job. Best to call around to Brokers to see what they would pay if you went through them.

But, if you're wanting to do it yourself... Let's play with numbers:

$130,000 / 50 weeks (assuming you want to get paid for a 2 week vacation) / 5 days per week = $520/day (I'd round it up to $650 to make up for days not worked, health insurance, and other perks you are no longer getting).

Now add:

Cost of unlimited cell phone useage /20 days - $20/day?

Cost of internet / 20 days = $10/day

Meals per day = $30/day

Per Diem = $65/day

Lodging = $65/day

Make sure to contract in IRS mileage rate for your drive time (from home) $.54?/mile

Or, you could just figure out what you need to make to support your lifestyle.

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Post ID: @arb+PEgiA5z

You could start with $10/hour.

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Post ID: @kao+PEgiA5z

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