Pay in Iraq?

[Kalrock]

I'm was approached by a company that is hiring in Iraq or Afghanistan and they asked me what would be my required minimum to deploy over there.  What I would like some help on is what kind of figure should I give them.  I just got a pretty substantial raise where I'm at now so I'm for the most part content.  Should I ask them for double my salary or what?  Any suggestions?

[Smokey]

I was contacted as well, most likely the same company I am sure. I told them a minimum of 120K depending on hours worked and leave schedule meaning I would expect at least 30 days off at a minimum and for them to pay for travel back and forth. I am sure I still probably low balled myself. I know some companies over there were trying to get people for less than a 100k.

I was originally approaced 5 yrs ago for 150K, now it seems the pay is going down. I just figured 120K to be a starting point to where I could at least hear what they were offering rather than scaring them a way with an extremely large number. PM me if you find out for sure what they are offering, maybe we can both push them upward,lol

[triumphdawg955]

So there are at least three of us that got a reply yesterday!  Guess we should at least try to be in the same ball park.  Thanx for the idea for pay to reply with.

[Duckbutta]

I was recently contacted twice about positions in Kuwait. They asked me for my salary requirements as well. Years ago, these contractors were up front with what they were offering and were basically throwing piles of money at people to try to get them over there. As Smokey said, those days are over. Now they are trying, as many employers are, to get you to put up the first offer. Personally, I won't continue discussions with any prospective employer unless  they tell me what they are willing to pay for my services first, especially if they initiate the contact. I think it starts the relationship off on the wrong foot. It sends the message that they are trying to be cheap and that they hope that I lowball myself. That basically says to me that they are willing to take advantage of their employees. Not exactly a good way to start a lasting partnership. They obviously have a range that they are willing to pay (based on experience), and I think they should be up front about it. If they are a good employer and proud of their company, they should be proud at what they are willing to pay to obtain quality employees. I'm curious to hear other opinions on this phase of the negotiations.

[pontiackid]

The number I got 2 years ago was 100K with 3 R&Rs per year up to 112K with no R&R working for KBR.

[Smokey]

"The number I got 2 years ago was 100K with 3 R&Rs per year up to 112K with no R&R working for KBR. "

When I first got contacted it was back in 2004 by KBR, the total package was about 120-130k if I remember correctly, but that included hazardous pay, some other type of pay adjustment, and 10 days off every 120. Not very good by any standards considering they only put forth $500 toward your travel on r&r and any days you flew were considered part of your leave which meant if flying back to the states you probably spen 4 days going and coming so you only ended up with 6 days off and you had to pay the difference in airfare which at the time I researched to be about $1200 out of pocket.

When you broke down the pay you were making about $17 an hour at 84 hours a week, then with the hazard pay and some adjustment you ended up at about 120k, and then I think it was tax free minus your fica and medicare up to 84K, basically you would have brought home close to 100k.

I have heard many different things now, and Duck is right I think if they want to be fair and at least negotiate in good faith disclose the pay range and pay DOE.

THEY ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO GET SOMEONE FOR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, I cant blame them, but in the same respect they surely cannot blame me for not accepting it. I think a lot of the companies try to play on whatever patriotism you might have, I have spent my time in the Military and served proudly but now I am out and should I go somewhere it will solely be based on whether or not it is a good deal for me.

I am especially frustrated with stateside job negotiations, I think they are worse. If your pay range is 20-28 then say so and I will tell you my years experience, we can interview and if you want me then make an offer and I like I willl take it. Dont try to get me to ask for a low salary hoping that you get me for the lower end, it wastes their time just as much as my own.

We have a large turnover in our career field simply b/c most are simply at a job until they find somewhere that pays better instead of these companies realizing that this is a very specific field and good techs are not in abundance so they should do whatever they can to keep the good ones where they are.

If I sound greedy it is because I AM, and I should be because noone else is going to pay my bills.

Ok so maybe I got a little off subject!

[Kalrock]

I was told by a friend that the pay could be around 120k and the work week was 12 hours a day 7 days a week.  I don't know about you but that sounds pretty crappy.  $27.47 an hour seems pretty cheap considering where you are and how much you're working.  I've also heard some some bad stories so I want to be a little cautious and I'm not talking about stories of working in Iraq, but stories about the company.

I sent them a reply asking information about the job before I could make a decision about my pay and I haven't received a response yet.  I'm fine with making the initial offer as long as they are up front with me.  We will see if they even respond to my email. 

It would be nice to make that much money, but I'm not going to short change myself and then be stuck there.  It's not like taking a job anywhere else.  I hope whoever takes the job is satisfied with the pay because otherwise they're going to be hating life.

[Rocket]

I was recently contacted twice about positions in Kuwait. They asked me for my salary requirements as well. Years ago, these contractors were up front with what they were offering and were basically throwing piles of money at people to try to get them over there. As Smokey said, those days are over. Now they are trying, as many employers are, to get you to put up the first offer. Personally, I won't continue discussions with any prospective employer unless  they tell me what they are willing to pay for my services first, especially if they initiate the contact. I think it starts the relationship off on the wrong foot. It sends the message that they are trying to be cheap and that they hope that I lowball myself. That basically says to me that they are willing to take advantage of their employees. Not exactly a good way to start a lasting partnership. They obviously have a range that they are willing to pay (based on experience), and I think they should be up front about it. If they are a good employer and proud of their company, they should be proud at what they are willing to pay to obtain quality employees. I'm curious to hear other opinions on this phase of the negotiations.

I agree with you. Many companies want to do the bait and switch, but stating the salary range can let a potential employee know if it is even worth pursuing. I have gotten to far in the interview process before, only to find out that the pay was way below what I could work for, and what they thought my skills were worth.

[Limey1966]

Another consideration is how much longer will the Cal Lab be there in Iraq given the draw down of troops, you'd probably be better off going for a job in Afghanistan.

[Guppy]

Hello all,  well sounds like the pay in the desert is really crappy for what you have to put up with.   I know as a contractor for ACC and now that we are union we are getting almost $29/ hr and going to $30 in Oct.  for 5/8's a week.   That doesn't include benefits which are $5/hr now.   
I did do a stint in the comercial world for a while.   Low pay,  and everything is based on their profit margin.  So  what can a person say.   Good luck, 
It might be a good deal for a single guy, but an old fart like myself,  nope, had enough of the short tours while active.   And where i was at there was that wonderful stuff called beer.   

[Reverand.Duke]

I was told by a friend that the pay could be around 120k and the work week was 12 hours a day 7 days a week.   I don't know about you but that sounds pretty crappy.   $27. 47 an hour seems pretty cheap considering where you are and how much you're working.   I've also heard some some bad stories so I want to be a little cautious and I'm not talking about stories of working in Iraq, but stories about the company.

KBR no longer has the contract.   The pay through the current subcontractor is running about $99. 5k.   Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance, 3 R&R's (12 days per with 1 day travel tacked on each end) @$890 per R&R.   The subcontractor is one of those "disadvantaged" small businesses, woman-owned with a disabled vet as a silent partner.   They're majorly low-balling the pay.

Don't know what stories you've heard about the company, but if they're less than flattering, they're probably true in this case.

caveat emptor

[Winterfire2008]

I  have friends in Kuwait who say the cost to fly from Kuwait to the US averages about $1000 round trip to Washington DC on United.  Then add on what ever the domestic flight is.  That's economy class.  The flight's 12 hours just to DC...awful long time to be crammed into a cheap seat.

[Limey1966]

That pay is really low given that you are at work for 12 hours a day seven days a week (unless that changed as well)

[Reverand.Duke]

That pay is really low given that you are at work for 12 hours a day seven days a week (unless that changed as well)

No, that hasn't changed.   

[step30044]

My question ......did any ever hear back fro these folks