How much should I get paid - contracter versus employee?

[davester]

I see, but I don't understand the use of the term "contractor" for an agency employee (or "temp"), which is what greg is. Traditionally (and legally), a contractor is someone who contracts directly with the client, receives no benefits, is liable for all employer and employee taxes and liabilities, and therefore bills more than an employee. When working for an agency you are not a contractor. You are an employee who is hired by a middle man who absorbs all the usual contractor expenses. The agency is the contractor, not you. The presence of a middle man is why you get paid less.

[olnacl]

Davester, I'm sure what you say is right and I won't argue it, but in our organization, contractors are what we're called - as we're listed:

XXXXXX, XXXXXX *CONTRACTOR*
non-XXX employee, Contractor


I've been here almost 10 years and that's the description used since I started. Previously ran my own business for 34 years, retired for 15, and took the new temporary (?) position to pick up a few bucks for Christmas. Just haven't left since.
This is the only outside (as in not self-employed) job I ever had except for a couple short ones in high school/college and again shortly after getting out of the service in '67, so I really don't know what the industry standard definition is for "contractors".