Which is better, a full-time position or a contract position as a Java Web engineer? I want to know if there are good opportunities for Java Web engineers in Taiwan/Taipei. Let's get straight to the point without hesitation!
Table of Contents
Salary Range for Java Web Engineers (General Reference)
Full-time
If you are a junior Java web developer, you can expect a monthly salary of around 40,000 TWD. Senior professionals with extensive experience may earn up to 80,000 TWD per month. Mid-level positions typically range between 40,000 and 80,000 TWD.
Contract
Relative to full-time positions, junior Java web developers earn approximately 50,000 TWD per month. Senior talents with 10 years of experience can earn up to 100,000 TWD per month. Mid-level positions fall between 50,000 and 100,000 TWD.
It sounds like contract positions may offer higher salaries, right? Next, let's explore the key differences between full-time and contract roles!
Full-time vs. Contract
1. Salary and benefits
Full-time: Stable monthly salary, with company benefits such as retirement funds and paid leave.
Contract: Paid according to the contract, typically without company benefits, requiring self-management of retirement insurance.
However, comparing a full-time salary of 75,000 TWD per month to a contract salary of 100,000 TWD per month, the full-time annual salary would be 75,000 multiplied by 12 months, totaling 900,000 TWD. In contrast, the contract position yields an annual salary of 1,200,000 TWD. The difference between the two amounts to 300,000 TWD!AssumingNT$10,000 per month for labor insurance and retirement funds, that amounts to NT$120,000 annually.
300,000 - 120,000 = 180,000 yuan, which is roughly enough to let you take an extra two months off each year. In this situation, how would you make your choice?
2. Stability
Full-time: Severance pay is provided upon dismissal, but foreign companies may terminate employment immediately.
Contract: The end of the contract may lead to unemployment, requiring you to seek new opportunities or wait for contract renewal.
There isn't a definitive answer as to which is more stable.
Full-time employees looking to switch companies often have interview opportunities biased towards current full-time employees. Because you hold a full-time position, it may be relatively challenging to transition to another company.
Contract employees, on the other hand, need to adjust to new environments frequently, which is a disadvantage. However, a benefit is that when you are informed two weeks before the contract ends, the outsourcing company will help arrange the next project. Additionally, because you are a contracted collaborator rather than a full-time employee, interviews for the next job location are usually more relaxed.
3. Career development
Full-time: Offers opportunities for internal promotion and job transfers, with a higher salary ceiling.
Contract: Typically fixed in one position, with monthly salaries ranging from 100,000 to 120,000 TWD being quite limited.
Conclusion
Based on this information, you can plan your career more clearly. Do you want a stable job with long-term development opportunities?
Or do you prioritize earning a higher monthly salary to invest? Whatever your choice, I hope these considerations will help you make a wise decision. Now is the time to start thinking and preparing for your future!
Minimum skill requirements:
Backend: Java, Spring Boot, Spring Data JPA
Frontend: JavaScript, jQuery, HTML
Database: MySQL, MS-SQL, SQL syntax
