Charges to Industry for NMR Time

Boylan (Boylan@hermes.bc.edu)
10 Jun 1996 10:35:44 -0500

Thanks very much for all the responses to my inquiry about how and how much
to charge for NMR/operator time when requested by local Industry. I received
14 replies which are summarized below.

Average Hourly Rate - $73.54 (n=12, range $22,50-$125.00)
Average Carbon Rate - $150.00 (n=2, range $100.00-$200.00)
Average Proton Rate - $88.00 (n=3, range $15.00-$200.00)

Most everyone said they billed through the department against a PO or blanket
contract with the client. (One or two had informal agreements in place with
some clients). Also, most said that the money generated was used by the
department or NMR lab for NMR related expenses. (One said that this type of
business resulted in over $30,000 per year)!

Finally, a number of people pointed out that it is not lawful to compete
unfairly with industrial analytical labs if the instruments were purchased in
whole or in part with Federal or State funds. The hourly rate charged must
exceed the going industrial rate in order to avoid this scituation - Acorn
NMR reported their rate to be $120.00 per hour for reference.

Again, thanks for all the help.

John Boylan
Boston College
boylan@hermes.bc.edu
Tel (617)552-4766
FAX (617)552-2705