Step 01
You bring the role.
Send us the offer letter or the client's MSA / SOW. We don't poach, recruit, or end-run — your client relationship stays yours.
Services / Payrolling
Already offered? We'll be your payroll.
Edition Payrolling lets engineers who've already landed a contract role get on a vendor payroll — W-2 or C2C — without standing up an LLC, hunting for an EOR, or accepting whatever margin a random firm asks for. Fast onboarding, transparent margin, every state where classification rules permit.
How it works
Four steps from offer to first paycheck.
Step 02
We pick the engagement mode.
W-2 in any of the 50 US states. C2C in most states (California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois excluded under their strict ABC classification tests).
Step 03
Onboarding, fast.
Standard contractor agreement, W-9 (for C2C) or I-9 (for W-2), direct-deposit setup. Typically 2–3 business days from MSA signed.
Step 04
You bill, we run payroll.
Weekly or bi-weekly cycles. Pass-through expense handling. Transparent margin off the bill rate — quoted at intake, never hidden.
W-2 vs. C2C
Pick the mode that fits your tax setup.
| Dimension | W-2 | C2C |
|---|---|---|
| Tax handling | Edition withholds federal / state / FICA | You manage via your LLC |
| Benefits | Group medical / dental eligibility (details at intake) | Self-funded |
| 401(k) | Edition's plan (where eligible) | Self-funded |
| State coverage | All 50 US states | All states except CA, NJ, MA, IL |
| Best for | Engineers without their own LLC, or who want benefits coverage | Engineers with established LLC and tax structure |
What we need from you
- Offer letter or signed contract from the end client
- Government-issued ID
- For W-2: I-9 documents, direct-deposit ACH info
- For C2C: your LLC's W-9, EIN, and certificate of insurance (we'll advise minimums)
What we need from the client
- Master Services Agreement (MSA) — Edition has a standard template; we can also countersign theirs
- Statement of Work (SOW) for the specific engagement
- Net-30 (or shorter) payment terms
State coverage
W-2: all 50 states. C2C: 46 states.
California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois enforce strict ABC classification tests that effectively rule out 1099 / C2C for engineers physically working there. We'll W-2 you in any of those four states. C2C engagements are limited to the other 46.
FAQ
Common questions, short answers.
Can you payroll someone for an existing W-2 offer?
Yes — Edition becomes the employer of record; the engineer is on Edition's W-2 instead of the client's. The engagement terms and rate stay between the engineer and the client.
Will Edition ever poach the role to another firm?
No. We respect the client relationship — same posture as our Sub-Vendor Partnership terms. Your role is yours.
What if I'm placed in California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, or Illinois?
Those four states enforce strict ABC tests that effectively rule out 1099 / C2C for engineers physically working there. We can W-2 you in any of them. C2C engagements are limited to the other 46 states.
How does the margin work?
You see the bill rate (what the client pays), the pay rate (what you take home), and the margin (what Edition keeps). No hidden deductions, no fee surprises. Specifics are quoted at intake based on the engagement length and complexity.
Send us the offer. We'll send back the engagement options.
Pick 'I have an offer and need a payroll vehicle' on the contact form. Same-day reply.