Okay, let’s tackle this. So Hideo has 10 years of IT experience, which is a decent amount. Location is Santa Monica, California, which is a high-cost area. IT professionals with similar experience in this location typically charge around $75-$125 per hour, according to national averages. Considering the cost of living in Santa Monica, I'll estimate his hourly rate to be on the lower end of this range, around $75. This is also influenced by the fact that his experience is not in a highly specialized field, but rather general IT, which may also impact his earning potential.