After 13 years being full time employee among a few companies. It all depends, but my specific experience was great to be a contractor - not only learned new things, new people, also got 30 percent more pay. Then they asked me to turn perm after 2 months. Not sure I will stay forever, but short term I gained a lot. Of course, this job is much busier, yet I am more motivated. So it all depends your personal situation and motivation.