Just thought I'd forward this wage scale for a recent job opening to give readers an idea of what the programmer job market is like outside of San Mateo:
Hourly Rates (Introduction):
Intern $10-$12 / hour
IC $12-15 / hour
Hourly Rates (Experienced with Drupal Theming):
Intern $15-$18/ hour
IC $18-$20 / hour
Translation: Intern == student, IC == independent contractor. Location? This is in the San Francisco Bay Area. Suffice it to say that things are different on the other side of the GGB.
I won't say who's hiring because I don't need the competition. I'm asking for $15/hr. Wish me luck.