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JoAnne Chalom, COMS, Ed.S.
How do you determine a reasonable and customary fee for your services?
The cost of living for a geographic region impacts determining fee structure
Experience and expertise are also components of determining a fee structure
Market Research 101 includes Geography Comparative Markets Quantity of Experience vs. Expertise
A new orientation and mobility specialist may negotiate a lower rate
Compared to a veteran orientation and mobility specialist with over twenty-five years of experience
States such as New York will typically have a higher fee basis than states like Georgia
A contractor in New York state charges $135 per hour
Another contractor in Alabama charges $58 per hour
Comparative markets within a geographic region should be considered when determining a fee structure
Determining for example, the base salary of an orientation and mobility specialist who works for a school district
Keep in mind that you are comparing apples to kiwis not apples to apples
A private contractor would need to consider other factors such as expenses
gas vehicle maintenance office supplies other expenditures
Professional Errors and Omissions Liability insurance
General Commercial Liability Insurance
Business coverage for your vehicle
Determine what competitors charge e.g. other private contractors
What state(s) have the lowest paid private contactors ?
Hint: Location, location, location
Alabama ($58) Georgia ($75) Florida ($80) New Mexico ($85) Texas ($90) Washington ($90)
What state(s) have the highest paid private contactors ?
Hint: Location, location, location (with a twist)
Ohio $290 New York $135 Massachusetts $125
Some contractors charge a separate fee for travel time
Others incorporate it into their hourly rate
Travel time rates range from .51 per mile
50% of the hourly rate for travel time
Georgia ($25) Texas ($30) New Mexico ($40)
What is the average beginning salary of a teacher in the great state of Michigan?
What state has the highest average beginning salary for a teacher?
Michigan ($34,724)
New Jersey ($48,101)
Typically a school board employee’s salary is based on a ‘school year’ that is ten months long
School Board employees also have benefits
It can include medical, dental, retirement
What is the typical school year a school district employee ?
Is that factored into calculating base salary?
What state has the lowest average beginning salary for a teacher ?
What is the median range for beginning teachers salaries ?
State with the lowest average beginning salary (Montana) ($26,000)
Median range for beginning teacher salaries ($37,000)
Another benefit would be either the use of the company vehicle for work related travel
Reimbursement for mileage (personal vehicle)
Wear and tear on your car is not typically reimbursed
Depending on the company private contractors may not offer benefits
They may offer a limited array of benefits such as medical coverage
What fringe benefits are provided to employees ?
Are they as prevalent for private contractors ?
Pension Plans Group Errors and Omissions Coverage Paid time off (sick or personal) Paid Holidays Leaves or Sabbaticals
Group Health insurance Groups Dental coverage Group Life Insurance
Texas ($60,034) Illinois ($55,488) Colorado ($51,568) New York ($51,268)
California ($30,000) Nebraska ($31,603) Texas ($31,729) Kentucky ($32,042)
Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists at the Veteran’s Administration
Credentialed in at least one area, COMS, CLVS,Etc..
Many positions have factored into their base salary a locality adjustment based on the cost of living in specific geographic regions
Locality Adjustments can range from 4.72 (Alaska) percent to 35.15 percent ( San Jose, California)
San Jose-Oakland-San Francisco, California (35.15%)
Indianapolis-Anderson-Columbus, Indiana (14.68%)
Rest of the United States (14.16% ) State of Alaska (4.72%)
Congratulations, you have decided to go out on your own and become self-employed
Give yourself a pat on the back
Now exhale (after you have figured out what you have just done)
Take a moment to say good bye to Dependable paychecks
Fringe Benefits
Paid time off
Paperwork…. oh what fun
Monthly deposits for federal, state and reemployment taxes (unemployment taxes)
Keeping current with all licenses required to have a business in your city, county and state
Ensuring that invoices are paid in a timely manner
Ensuring that business expenses are paid on time
GS-11 requires ACVREP COMS (at least one area of certification more than one is preferred)
Salary Table 2012-GS
Rates Frozen at 2010 Levels effective January 2012
Annual Rates by Grade and Step http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2012/general-schedule/saltbl.pdf
Teacher salaries by state
http://teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state
The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB)
http://www.ncsab.org/director-list.aspx Emailing every state that has a vocational
rehabilitation program or a contractor facilitating that need
