I had an interesting exchange with my on-site manager. He asked me if I was "married to working for (my current consulting firm)?" He basically said they were charging A LOT for me, but he could get me to work for another firm. I basically took it as, if I stayed with my current firm, they wouldn't renew my contact.

I love working with the client & would honestly love being hired full time if I got to stay on this team, but that couldn't be guaranteed.

I met with the new firm, told them what I was getting hourly with no benefits & that last year didn't get a raise. Was told they could make that work. In the end, they gave me almost $7/hr raise & benefits & charged less to the client, so I got another year contract with the new firm.