Posted on Apr 10, 2015
Do you think US contractors make a lot of money overseas?
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I am currently considering a position in Kuwait and I have done some research on the salary being offered. What I found was as a US Government Worker (GS) you receive per diem which is $130,000 per year, plus salary, plus bonus, plus overseas/separation pay. The salary I was offered was $109,000 minus about $4,000 for benefits you MUST take. Also found out the average GS gets over $250,000 in total pay. I always hear from government workers how little they make and how contractors get paid so well.
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SSG (Join to see) SFC Mark Merino @Cpl Anthony Pearson
@MSG Brad Sand @MAJ Carl Ballinger
@SPC Christopher Smith
@MSgt Curtis Borders
@LtCol David Durcsak
@LTC Stephen Curlee
@MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
@SgtMaj James Kuiken
@MCPO Gene Treants
@SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas
Posted in these groups: Contract Professionals
General Contractor
Contractors
Independent Contractor
General Contractor Contractors Independent Contractor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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Compared to the servicemembers that are serving overseas yes contractors make good money, however not as much as they would like "us" to think, I had several working in the EOC/S-3 shop in Kuwait and they got paid better than us by farm, but were far from rich! But, if I could I would take the position in a heartbeat.
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SFC Christopher Feathers
The bad really isnt bad at all. I have been overseas twice with General Dynamics, both contracts paid close to $200,000.00 a year. But honestly, when you take in to consideration the quality of life, risk to your life (depending on the locale) and just being away from the family. It sometimes doesnt add up to enough money in my opinion.
I did 15 months in Kuwait, other than the heat the location wasnt bad at all.
I did 15 months in Kuwait, other than the heat the location wasnt bad at all.
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PO1 Lloyd Brett
interested in know what was your break out in pay. I want to take a position in Kuwait and don't want to get short changed its a 6 month deployed and 6 months conus. my pay here is 100k the hours there should be 12 hour days for 180 days. are there any extra pays I should be getting like hazard pay and if so how much should it be
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SP5 Ron Rosario
Lloyd what is the position / company. Hazard pay is gone. But you can check that for yourself online. All hazard, per diems etc are posted online. Just do some googlin
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My sister got RIFed from the navy and went to Afgansitan for a year as a contractor and made three times as what she was making in the navy
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Cpl Brett Wagner
OK everyone please listen to what I am saying here. I was in the military as an enlisted man. Back when I went in I got paid $500 a month and worked 70+ hours a week. I've been a government contractor for $20+ years. My point was I thought I would be paid closer, I knew it would not be as much, to my GS equivalent. Turns out to be $100,000+ less than they get.
Starting five years ago I had to take pay cuts to keep working over the five years I lost $15,000 in salary. That is why I have no sympathy for a GS when the government shuts down. They eventually get their money after the shutdown and don't lose any leave. As a contractor during a shutdown you take leave or unpaid days, you never the money back and you hope you still have a job when it's over. The GS workers complained because they got 0% pay raises for 3-4 years the same time I $3,000 pay cuts each year.
I should stop complaining I a long way from the government powdered milk cheese & peanut butter. I'm not sleeping in a shelter half not taking incoming etc. it's just that I am seeing the difference between the haves & have nots more & more. Not just between super rich and super poor but like what I described above. Two people doing the same job requiring the same certificates & education but being paid so much differently.
Starting five years ago I had to take pay cuts to keep working over the five years I lost $15,000 in salary. That is why I have no sympathy for a GS when the government shuts down. They eventually get their money after the shutdown and don't lose any leave. As a contractor during a shutdown you take leave or unpaid days, you never the money back and you hope you still have a job when it's over. The GS workers complained because they got 0% pay raises for 3-4 years the same time I $3,000 pay cuts each year.
I should stop complaining I a long way from the government powdered milk cheese & peanut butter. I'm not sleeping in a shelter half not taking incoming etc. it's just that I am seeing the difference between the haves & have nots more & more. Not just between super rich and super poor but like what I described above. Two people doing the same job requiring the same certificates & education but being paid so much differently.
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When I discharged back in the early 90's, Raytheon offered me a job in Saudi to work on the Vulcans we sold to the Saudis. The pay was decent, for most guys it would be significant. But, as I'd just gotten back from my 2nd deployment there, I opted out, was ready to get out of the BDU's and 11 months back at Khobar? Ah.... No.
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