As always, prices are determined by supply and demand.<p>A price is too high if the buyer can find the same thing (another programmer considered to be an equal hire, in this case; people are not commodities so this can be difficult to evaluate with absolute accuracy) for less. A price is too low if the buyer cannot find the same thing for even an equal amount.<p>The price is just right, at that moment in time, if there is a mutual agreement between a buyer and a seller.