The way the ecomony is anymore especially in the tech sector, be glad you have a job reguardless of what you make. I make $15 an hour which isn't great, but it's better than what I have made in the past trying to keep my house afloat. I have spent too many months out of work living on credit cards that I am just thankful to have a job. But i know what you mean about contract work, you pretty much get nothing and work hard for it and the places I have been will get rid of you if you make the least little mistake. They know there are plenty of people out there to take your place.