Microsoft Programmer Writer Contractor interview questions

They were nice enough. I am sorry I can't get over the fact that they are willing to pay 45 -48 an hour for a programmer level writer when the salaried version of this job would be 120 -150k with stocks lots of time off and many benefits. I did my best to have a good attitude but I kept wondering how the interviewers felt about being part of creating 2nd class citizens at their own company doing the exact same job.