Money for IT freelancers: Age discrimination in fees? {Trend! Study}

The fees of IT freelancers seem to increase a little bit every year and are not only dependent on the economy, but also on Age dependent on the specialist. An exciting topic because the development is also an important indicator for others Industries and professional groups.

Criticism of the analysis

First of all: the polls spiegeln not necessarily back what the freelancers get. The basis of the analysis is formed by the hourly rate requirements that the more than 85.000 IT / engineering freelancers entered in the GULP profile database in your profile.

It is evaluated as what people would like to have - not what they actually get afterwards. It may be assumed that in reality this value is about lower - everyone is more beautiful than he is. The annual GULP hourly rate evaluation also includes only those freelancer profiles that have been updated in the last six months. This time 26.300 profiles.

But since GULP is the most important Internet-job exchange for IT freelancers and also collects this data every year in August, the results of the study can at least be seen as a benchmark for the current development on the market. And in this context, the results are also a signal for other sectors.

Fee depends on the age

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Because this is about age. GULP has looked at the age distribution in the fees more. And interesting facts: The fees of the IT specialists are not only related to the economy, but also depend on their age.

Although more experience does not necessarily mean more fees, because their highest hourly rates have been achieved by IT / engineering freelancers from the age of 40 to 50 years. They then demand with 78 Euro as much as no other age group.

Five years ago a freelancer, who is 45 years old today, demanded 74 Euro, at the age of 35 years were 71 Euro. The fee for the age group in question therefore rose by EUR 7.

Young talent is demanding more

But even the “youngsters” want more today to earn: In August 2013, IT engineering freelancers aged 35 asked for 74 euros, which is (only) four euros less than their 45-year-old colleagues.

The 25-years freelancers are separated from the 40-years 15 years and currently 16 Euro (hour requirement with 25 years: 62 Euro, with 40 years: 78 Euro). In these 15 years of life, the hourly rate rises sharply.

From 50 the fees will be deducted

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The 60-year-old freelancer is also 45 years apart from the 15-year-old – but only three euros. The hourly rate increases beyond the age of 50 with increasing age light - but by far not as much as he has increased in the previous years. Is that age discrimination?

One can only speculate about the question of why the elderly demand less again: Apparently, this is also shown by various discussions on Best of HR - Berufebilder.de®, clients trust them less because they believe that from 50+ you can no longer keep up with all the new developments.

The results are age-spreading

Across all age groups, the result looks like this: On average, GULP registered IT / engineering freelancers claim an hourly rate of 2013 Euro per hour in August 75.

This is a new peak that continues the trend of recent years. In the year 2009, the average fees for freelancers had to accept a slight setback as a result of the crisis. They decreased from 71 to 70 Euro. Since this short backward step, it has been steadily increasing year after year.

Update: Yesterday, my multi-faceted contribution to age discrimination on fees showed how important our readers are to this topic. The question is always the question: are older workers in the labor market still in demand or do you have difficulties finding a job?

No - but with restrictions!

The GULP survey among IT freelancers had shown that these from the 50. A slightly lower fee. Since such studies also represent a trend for other sectors, this could indicate that specialists from 50 are less in demand on the labor market. Is that so?

No – but the answer could be with restrictions – at least if you follow the members of the Karriereexperten.com network. To the question “Is it for Candidate Harder to get a job over 45?” Of the 55 coaches and consultants, 45 (approx. 80%) answered “no” and only eleven answered “yes” or “yes”.

Where does the discrepancy come from?

How does this discrepancy come about, which contradicts the results of the GULP study and also the popular opinions of applicants? Looking more closely at the answers reveals that the qualification must correlate with the age of the applicants.

All interviewed experts are the Opinionsthat the profile of the applicant is crucial. Older applicants in particular could hardly compete for jobs that only made low demands on qualifications and experience. Gives an example of this Network-Founder and Best of HR – Berufebilder.de®-Author Svenja Hofert:
“If an office worker only needs presentations and simple Excel spreadsheets draw up the 50-year-old experienced secretary cannot compete with the newly trained office clerk, especially if she has poor computer skills. On the other hand, is it about the customers on eye level counteracting, de-escalating conflicts or professionally controlling processes, experience and knowledge play a much greater role. "

What are the benefits of older workers?

Some of the experts even see applicants over 45 clear at an advantage over younger job seekers - such as career advisor and management consultant Günter Flott:
“Matured enough to have developed routine and methodology from which the graduate is still years away and not too old to start with a new one Companys to be able to start properly again. 45 year olds People in the best years of my career.”
He also sets the simple rule: if only a low qualification is required and personal abilities are not important, younger people score - also because of their usually lower expectations of salary. If, on the other hand, experience, industry knowledge and personal strength are required, older people have an advantage.

Job hunting problems - often homemade?

The Problems, the job seekers of the appropriate age nevertheless at the Job Search remark, according to the experts, are often homemade: Often it is because older applicants do not have the qualifications that are now standard, such as computer and language skills.

They are also not used to having one a year Further Training to complete, which is quite normal in the Scandinavian countries, for example. Furthermore, older applicants often select the wrong job offers and then have to compete with younger applicants because little experience is required.

Other focuses in the IT area

Perhaps this is also an explanation for the discrepancy to the GULP survey: Especially in the IT sector it depends on technical know-how and speed like no other. Perhaps, in some cases, keeping pace with progress is no longer thought possible for older workers?

What older applicants can do about it - we will publish some tips in the coming week.

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