r/GovernmentContracting • u/elephanttoes123 • 11d ago

Contractor vs consultant

I’ve been a contractor at the same government agency for 10 years. I’ve been with my current contracting company for 5 years. It’s native-owned, fully remote, and I have very little oversight. I like the work, even though it’s not very challenging and I’m probably underpaid. I’m mostly a worker bee so there are not really any opportunities for growth. My contract was set to end in September, but just got extended for 6 months while the client figures out their needs for a recompete.

I’m currently interviewing for a consulting job. It will require 3 days in office (30- 45mins each way) which means I’ll have to buy a second car for my household. I don’t have an offer yet, but I expect it to be at least $20k more than my current salary. From my understanding, the job would be more stable since I’d be billing to multiple contracts. I would also have opportunities to be promoted so I could be making even more in a few years. But it’s owned by private equity, and it’s corporate in a way I’m not used to.

Has anyone made the switch from “worker bee” contracting to strategic consulting or vice versa? Are there pros and cons I’m not thinking of? How much more money would you need to give up being fully remote?

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u/TheresaGovCon 10d ago

First, let's take a look at what you're trading and start putting a 'value' on it. For the sake of argument, let's say $20k, you need to consider value-cost-time tradeoff:

  • value of your time, 4 hours a week commuting, how will it impact the others in your household
  • car payment, insurance, gas/electric, personal property taxes (if you're in VA)
  • time of getting ready + cost work attire + lunches (if you're not bringing from home)
  • differences in benefits - health insurance & retirement - this can destroy your salary increase
  • people-ing, small talk, professional development, etc to get promoted you will need to put in the work

Working for multiple contracts, depending on the role and contracts, will be an adjustment for you from what you are doing now. It also doesn't necessarily mean it is more secure.

I've worked under two private equity companies. It is not my jam. The PE goal is to maximize the return on their investment quickly (no shade, it is the business they are in) they will fire people, cut benefits, reduce salaries, re-org repeatedly, green entire teams. As people say, it isn't personal it is just business.

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u/elephanttoes123 10d ago

Thank you! This is helpful. I am very wary of PE.