Man for the life of me I can't leave a FTE position for a contract even 1 year

Anyone else struggle with this?

There is ~12,000 more to make annual and the place is a gold mine, but it's contract right to hire and with kids and all this vacation time it's tough to leave. In my previous life I would of jumped in a heart beat but now with 3 kids and a wife who is staying at home for another 2 months until she resumes work (She makes as much as me when working) it's tough to even consider, even with that much more pay.

Thoughts on leaving FTE for contract work?

If possible I would like to read some experiences.

Find more posts tagged with

SAVE $250 on Your Boot Camp — Use Code "EXAM26"

Exclusively for TechExams members for Infosec Boot Camps starting before April 30, 2026

View Boot Camps

Comments

YesOffense

I'm sure your entire benefits package costs way more than 12k, not to mention the extra pto. Nah. That 12k will be all gone on one surprise medical bill.

TechGromit

Good Medical is worth it's weight in gold. Right now I pay less then 3 grand a year for medical coverage for me and my Wife, the cheapest open market medical coverage would cost almost 9 grand. The best coverage would cost $21,600 a year, and it's still not as good as the medical plan I have with my employer, but its pretty close.

stlsmoore

sschwieterman wrote: »

Not to hijack the thread but...

I am in a similar situation. Wife and kid with another on the way. Have a pretty nice sized emergency fund saved for a rainy day. Have an opportunity to change from 'IT Technician' (FTE, $40k) to 'Network Engineer' (Contract-to-hire, $60k).

Does this change any opinions? I feel like this could be a great opportunity to move forward in my career.

If you've been waiting to move into a network role, personally I wouldn't pass. This is from someone who has a stay at home wife and a kid on the way as well. I had to go the Contract-to-hire route as well to move up within networking, granted I wasn't married and no kid. As long as you're confident in your technical and soft skills you shouldn't have any problems. All of my contract-to-hire roles they typically offered me FTE earlier than what the contract stated once I proved my value. Just my 2 cents.

blargoe

My take, if you live a relatively modest lifestyle, have enough stashed away to cover the deductible on a high-deductible health plan, another 6 months of expenses (note: not salary, expenses), and have gotten a good start already on your retirement savings, jumping on a contract gig that would open doors for you down the line would definitely land on the good side of risk/reward in my opinion even with the wife and kids. Most married with children people seem to be at a point where it would be too risky for them, though.

My goal is to be where contract or perm is completely irrelevant to me within two years, giving me lots more freedom to select gigs that appeal to me; just have to get these expenses down some more.