What's my hourly rate?

[ciphergoth]

Just got an email. "I'm after a Perl programmer - what's your hourly rate?"

I haven't the faintest idea.

If you work it out from my gross salary, you get £18.82, but is that the right amount to charge? I have never charged an hourly rate before, but I would like to quote something reasonably plausible. Eek, that's like 31p a minute - I go to spend a penny, and get paid about 62p for it. That sounds OK. But I'd like to hear that confirmed from someone who's done contract work before.

I'd be grateful to hear from anyone who knows...

Update: many thanks for the many helpful answers!

Comments

Is this to an agent, or direct to client ?

[kitty-goth.livejournal.com]

Bear in mind the market price for contract work is now shit. Perl has also been evaluated as the 81st most-sought after skill (down from 6th this time last year) according to some survey I got sent.

I'd say 35-50/hour if you're going through an agent, +20-50% if not.

Re: Is this to an agent, or direct to client ?

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

I don't think he's an agent. I quoted GBP 45 /hr.

I think the market price for all of my skills is now shit, but will get better, so I'm going for contract work partly because I'd rather get paid shit for dull work for three months than for two years.
Thanks!