I started the project 3 years ago. He was hired in about a year ago.

If I were on-staff, I'd be the most senior programmer, and I'd be the first person to last more than 2 years in a long time. I think the freelance arrangement actually helps insulate me a lot from the weird culture of the company. I've been on the project the longest, and I have more experience than any of their other developers combined.

I also charge more than twice what they pay them, combined. Which is still not a lot. Turns out they hire these people off of Craigslist and then don't pay them very well.