I didn't read the last couple of pages but in none of the post in the first 3 pages did anyone actually think about the numbers. Everyone is talking about cost of living going up so they deserve it.
Now before you start flaming me keep in mind that while yes I personally feel rates for most providers is higher then they should be, I also stand by the fact that if they can get $250 to $400 an hour then more power to them. They are obviously doing something right.
Now with that said lets look at the numbers, mind you some of this is rough since I did a quick search on the net. The Average annual salary for a single women (+25) in the US with some College is roughly $30k. The Average annual salary for a single man (+25) in the US with some College is rougly 40k. So lets take the average provider (what I consider average) at lets say $150/hr. Lets say this provider sees 2 clients a day, 5 days a week. That's $78k a year. Even if you say they need their time off and family stuff and what not it's easy to make up a week off. And lets get real that's fucking outrageous for 10 hours of work a week.
So it has NOTHING to do with the cost of living, you can stick that in your pipe and smoke it. It's all about what the women think they can get and what we are willing to pay. You think if BJ was charing $400/hr and wasn't getting business she would stay there, hell no. I've been hobying for awhile now and I've seen EVERY provider on here go up to some degree and I've seen some come back down and I'm sure that was because they couldn't get the rate they were HOPING for.
When it comes down to it a SMART business minded woman can get in this business for a short period and with wise investments live very nicely for a long time. I'm no expert by any means but I would think the "Average" provider sees 3 clients a day for a average of $200/hr. Say a min. hour visit per client at 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year, that's 156k a year. Some times I wish I was born a chick... LOL
Oops sorry girls I forgot to take into account the one week a month, but I think I clearly showed if you are smart with your money a woman can make a killing in this business for far less they most providers are asking for lately.
BTW when I first joined ECCIE the high end providers were $250 to $300, there were far more providers for $200 or less then, and that wasn't very long ago.
I'm not going to proof read this so deal with my typo's