Just my take on what MTing has become - Thinking out loud - very long

I used to make $50,000 a year also.  Then it went down into the 40s.  Now, I think it may be something like $35,000 to $38,000, depending on different factors.  I have given this much serious thought because I am in my 50s and would like to hold out for another few years and not have to start a new career this late in life.

I think between the "AAMT" and the offshoring, this profession has been brought to its knees.  The offshoring has not worked out too well for many companies because the work had to be redone, or the client did not want that in the first place.  They wanted good quality work at offshore prices.  So then comes VR, which IMO has not really been perfected yet.  In theory, it is a good idea and the answer to the problems.  However, reality is a different matter.  There are horrid platforms that prevent an MT from moving fast enough to make any money even though it is VR.  No one should be paid less than 6 cpl for VR, even on the best platform.  I struggle making those bottom keys my new "home" for my fingers, but maybe it will come with more time.  All those headings, which we do not get paid for, still have to be done.  It appears they want a lot of key clicking, normals, and cutting and pasting which is much work, and very few lines paid for.

This is indeed a weeding out process of old MTs like me who are used to getting paid for a large production of lines that result in professional quality reports.  This does not seem to matter anymore.  They want to take that away from us however they can.  I do 50% VR and 50% typing.  The system is suppose to only allow reports on VR with 80% or better accuracy, but who decides the 80% - the system, which is usually in error by at least 20% or more.  Even so, this means that the best reports, with easy dictators end up on VR.  This would be okay if the pay were 6 cpl or better.  All of the crap dictators remain on the straight typing, at a higher rate, but it takes you longer to do them. 

The old jobs at 9-11 cpl or better are going fast, as well as the MTs who used to do them.  I have looked and researched.  Clients just don't pay that much anymore.  I only have 7 more years that I need the higher income and I figure with the state of the economy, where I live, where I am in my life, I will accept the approximate $38,000 to $40,000 I am getting.  If that dries up before I do, I will have to work on getting my own clients I guess.  I don't know, but I believe I could work as hard as I do now, getting all the money from the client without a middle-man (MTSO) taking the money that I could be able to afford my taxes and benefits.   I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it, but I will definitely refuse to work for a company who does not provide full time work.  THIS IS A JOB.  We are not here because we have nothing better to do.

I believe that somehow in the next 5-10 years, the companies who off-shore, over-hire, and have MT employees who sit at their computers half the day with no work are going to lose qualified employees, thus making their business fall off.  At some point in the not too distant future, this scenario will just not be acceptable.  Sure, there are MTs who will do it now, and will accept a very low rate of pay, but I don't believe the MTSOs are going to be able to ride that gravy train very long.  The  tables will turn, and the MT industry will evolve into something different again.   It will be too late for me at that point of course. 

MTing is just not what it used to be, and never will be again.  It requires a different mindset, skill, and of course less money, but still good money if you work hard and refuse to accept the situations many find themselves in now.  MTs will demand work - or leave.  The wages????  What is rock bottom?  And how many are going to be willing to take it just to work at home? 

I refuse to let any company/client cheat me out of making the money I know I am worth.  I will not stay.  The account I have - I AM LUCKY.  When is my luck going to run out?  Considering my hours, my schedule of M-F 8-4, no holidays, nights or weekends, my pay, I have good benefits, my company is very fair, and I always have work, I guess I would estimate my worth at $34,000 or above (subject to change). 

Just curious.  What do you consider yourself worth?  What is your rock bottom number?