I have a close friend that does a civilian job in Iraq, and I knew that he got payed some insane wage over there, but I also knew that he used to be in the army, and he’s doing a specific job that only army people are commonly trained for. The other day I found out that there are a lot more jobs over there than I thought, also paying insane amounts of money.
I ran into an article recently about a particular guy that recieved an offer for an IT job in Iraq. Unfortunately the link has been removed.
Being in IT myself, I wanted to take a look at the numbers, and see just how ridiculous the pay was.
Ok, so base salary for the example is $22.08 per hour, already doing pretty well. Not only that though, but they also get danger pay and hardship pay of an extra 35% EACH.. wow, that drives the basic hourly wage up to $38.64 an hour.
So now we’re making almost $40 an hour, which is right at $80,371.20 a year. Here’s where it gets nuts though.
First of all, they have 60 hour work weeks, every single week. The catch though is that they don’t get the pay bonus for anything more than 40 hours per week, so for those extra 20 hours per week, they’re making $33.12 per hour, so technically lower than their regular wage, which I found pretty funny. This adds another $34,444.80 per year, so our tally as of now is exactly $114,816.00 per year. Wow, that’s nuts.
Second, they get a sign on bonus, and a completion bonus, totaling $22,532.00, bringing our yearly salary to $137,348.00. Not to mention, free meals, $3,000 in travel allowance money per year, paid vacation, free housing, sick time, and paid health care.
So, the question becomes, is a hundred and forty thousand a year worth it for you to work in Iraq? And possibly a better question, are our troops making this much on duty, getting shot at daily? I sure hope so, but for some reason I doubt it.
So, who’s coming with me?
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In the life you have nothing for nothing and to live and work in IRAQ, it’s ok for me. In France whe are in Middle Age for CIE and taxe. I work aproximativly 55 or 75 hours per week without bonus and so one and the salaray is for 35 hours,(60K€/Years) and nothing if you work more… For the security in IRAQ…
In United State regarding sécurity, 2006, 21000 death by gunshot, and there is no war … I think not be more insecure in Baghdad. If you have job for me…
This guy has pretty bad english.. but what I think he’s getting at is that where he’s at, he’s getting paid for 35 hours, but working 60+.. and that US isn’t necessarily that much safer than Iraq quoting 21,000 deaths by gunshot in 2006 which might need to be verified.
He does bring up a good point. Maybe you’re actually safer in a bunker working IT in Iraq than you would be, lets say.. in a sky scraper in a random high rise in New York City?
It is far too simplistic to compare 21k gunshot victims in the USA to statistical violence in Iraq, which may have been worse in 2006 than 21,000, for the simple geographical FACT that Iraq is roughly twice the size of Idaho. Also, the largest portion of violence in Iraq would fall in the Baghdad area, which is where most jobs in Iraq are to be found. Now, if all 21k gunshot victims where concentrated in a few American Cities,and you had to live in those cities, then yes, it would be more dangerous.
im interested, but how do you get in-recruited and what info do we need-id like to know-can anyone shoot me an email on this????????????
I am prior service Army. However, I was in ammunition supply. Got any Ideas how I can get back over there? I have hit all the websites (I believe ).
Lets go! I’m with you.
Oh yeah, almost forgot to say that I was there with the army in 98 and again in 2001-2002 as a civilian contractor.
$140K per year…I’m in. I’m an IT guy. I can do it in Baghdad just as well as I can in Houston. I only speak English though.
How do I sign up?
I am currently in Iraq as a network engineer and yes they tend to hire military personal for these jobs but its not because of there Network (Cisco) or MS training, these skills are the same any where you go. These companies typically hire military personal because they know how to deal with the military people in charge, they already know the military standards, they already have security clearances and they know how to live in these conditions. Tell me how you would react to waking up most mornings to gun fire or explosions. I personally have seen guys come in saying this is going to be a peace of cake show me the money but the first time they wake up to gun fire or the building next to theirs being blown up they are the first ones on the next plane out of here which is maybe 3 to 4 days depending on where you are and guess what, you get to pay the company that hired you back the money they had to spend to get you here, around 8K dollars. I have hired some of my friends telling me they can handle anything just get them over here and none of them have stayed and had to pay a lot of money that they did not have to being with and these companies do not play. Also you guys are talking 140K a years, that is money you make in Kuwait or Africa. If you are not getting offers in the 220 to 300 range don’t take the job because someone is trying to take advantage of you unless you are helpdesk or an IMO then yea 140 is probably about right. Most of these jobs are found on dice.com but I worn you its not Houston.
I’m an IT guy living in Denver with eight years of experience and certifications. I would love the service aspect of the position also. How do I sign up?
Where do I sign up?
It’s not like a tour of duty is it or are you tied to a time based contract?
Work is work, if I’m not making it, I’m spending it anyway and with no one hiring currently it may be worth the trouble.
Trying to keep a roof over my family’s head and avoid forclosure and bankruptcy, and worst, the possibility of having to move in with my inlaws if that happened might be worse than a tour in Iraq….
Is there a specefic site to go to in order to inquire on this more?
Thanks,
Doc
You guys that are wanting to go for that little bit of pay are nuts. If you are good at what you do and you are in IT you can make that here in the US. I make that and have had offers to go over there for more than twice that. The offer I got was $230k + 5k upon 1 yr completion of duties. The first $85k are tax free (there is a limit on the tax free money you make outside the US). As far as finding these jobs, for the most part they find you. Yes, I have taken the job and will be leaving a couple of months. Most of these type of jobs require previous mil service and a minimum of a TS clearance.
I make that much here at home without the IEDs
$40/hr for a job in the arse-crack of the world is laughable at best.
Yes interesting conversation. I have too certifications and 12 years experience in companies. Would like to apply in the right place. Who could advice?
Thank you
Walter and anyone can you let me know any contacts re IT roles in IRAQ etc. I am ex Australian infantry but also have 10 years of current IT Technical expericene at a senior level. I am looking for some adventure to add to the day to day role of IT
Cheers
Shrek
i got out of the marine corps last june. got out for family reasons, but the 16 months i spent in iraq were the best of my life. i had a blast over there. i enjoyed being there and being a part of it all. i was a machine gunner. have been trying to get back over there as a civilian since i got out. have been emailing blackwater securities over and over again just waiting to hear back. if anyone out there has any info to help me get back over there i’d appreciate it. good luck to everyone that’s interested.
Hi there been working in IT for past 26 years.. Say when were going ….
Email me