I did that for several years for a contract research firm back in my last years as a physicist. I was 100% pure lab-rat techno-geek until I found out they were billing the client ~ a half-million/yr for my time, of which I saw only a tiny fraction.

I quit, went back to school for an MBA, bought a suit, and started a web development company....

updated for grammar

Comment on Re^2: Consulting firm, job-based consultant, or hourly contractor?