Salary change when going from developer to hired consultant?

Question

I am currently employed at a company as a mobile platforms developer. Just recently I have been asked by HR if I want to be a work as hired consultant at a clients headquarters 6 hours away for a undefined amount of time.

The developers at the clients place has roughly a 50% higher salary than my own. I am already underpaid in terms of my knowledge and current employers location. Am in the wrong to ask for a raise before accepting?

Have you thought about going to work as a consultant for a while there until they get to know you, then asking for a job there where you'll get the better salary? — 2rs2ts, Sep 05 '17 at 19:19
@2rs2ts the thought has crossed my mind, but i am not fully interested in moving there permanently. — Echo Localized, Sep 05 '17 at 19:30
@cdkMoose yes that is correct, understandable as it is a larger city. Even in my current location my salary is below the average. — Echo Localized, Sep 05 '17 at 19:59
do you mean a self employed consultant? if so a good rule of thumb is 3x your rate as a full time employee — Neuromancer, Sep 05 '17 at 20:08
It might be reasonable to request a short term bump for the length of the assignment, but not permanently — cdkMoose, Sep 05 '17 at 20:36
Possible duplicate of How should I properly approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid? — gnat, Sep 06 '17 at 10:22

Joe Strazzere · Answer 1 · 2017-09-05T19:36:19.583

Am in the wrong to ask for a raise before accepting?

Not at all.

If you are asked to work that far away, it's perfectly reasonable to ask if/how you will be compensated.

On the other hand, if you will get such a raise probably depends on their needs and the leverage you have.

Make sure you ask about and thoroughly understand anything else that might change if you accept - benefits, accruals, tax status, housing allowance, travel expenses, etc.

Salary change when going from developer to hired consultant?

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