IT folks. What should I be getting paid?

daver676 · 05-11-04, 01:21 PM

Hello All. OK. Since I'm having no luck other places, and I know a few of you here are seasoned IT pros, I need help.

I've been offered a job as an ISP troubleshooter/help center guy, but the job includes long hours, and other responsibilities, such as off site network installations and troubleshooting, and, well pretty much anything an ISP providers offers support for, I'll be doing it. I have a college degree in Computer networking, but very little experience. Most of my experience since I've been out of college has been MS office related, with some VB programming thrown in. A little printer troubleshooting here and there. I have very little idea of what I should be getting paid, so I was hoping you folks could help me with a ballpark figure, or a good link to a website that could help me out in calculating it. Thanks a lot.

Invictus · 05-11-04, 01:30 PM

Look for the Mercer Salary Guide for 2004. As far as I know, entry level techies are only getting in the 25k/year range these days, and even then, if you're lucky.

Vengeance · 05-11-04, 01:35 PM

If you are just phone support, then yea 25 - 30K a year sounds about right. But if you going to be doing feild work 35 - 40K would be decent. Also take into account the fact the the IT feild is back on the rise again so, it will never be what it was back in the .com days but if you can get 30 - 35K to start your on the right path.

daver676 · 05-11-04, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I'm currently sitting at 28K before taxes at my current job (programming/occational tech support). My understading is that along with phone support, there are other network related responsibilties.

Invictus,

Is that guide available online somewhere. I need something fast, cause I think I'll be negotiating in less then 2 hours.

Cruciform · 05-11-04, 01:46 PM

When I was doing Y2K contracting, all I had were a couple of MCPs and I was 2 months short of an MCSE when I got hired. Starting salary was 39k. This was for hands on work. As above, phone support will pay considerably less, and you need a special brand of patience to do it

If you're out in the field, a diploma is good, but any place worth it's salt will put you through a couple of practical tests to make sure you can actually get things done under pressure.

Mess around with everything you can and shoot for the 30s

Invictus · 05-11-04, 01:47 PM

www.mercerhr.com

Cruciform · 05-11-04, 01:48 PM

by the way, if you can add knowledge of linux, wireless (with encryption), and SSH support to your repertoire it will also make you worth more to their business customers.

klein · 05-11-04, 01:53 PM

i currently have 4 year experience and work for a company as there sysadmin, i do phone support, network support, in charge of the win 2003 server, all the pc's, so on and so forth and i am currently making 45k, if that helps at all.

i would say just straight phone support with the odd network issue off site would be good around 30k-32k/year ... JMO though

daver676 · 05-11-04, 02:01 PM

This has got me flustered a bit. I think I want to shoot for about 34K. I have very little on the job experience regarding the responsibilities for this position, not to mention I'm just a young pup trying to scratch out an entry level IT job. There is probably a line a mile long for this position.....

Cruciform · 05-11-04, 02:03 PM

If you feel cornered ask the amount you want, eg. 34k, with a probationary period of 3 to 6 months at an amount which you think they would find acceptable.

Provided you think they wouldn't screw you over in 3 months and say you're not worth the extra cash

reptiguy · 05-11-04, 02:04 PM

Man I wish I was making those numbers!!!! I'm an onsite network technician for a large computer company and I make a piddley 28K. Then again I live in Kelowna BC where there is a "sunshine tax" -> you live in paradise but get paid crappy.
I'm sure that anywhere else in Canada I would make more

-Reptiguy-

klein · 05-11-04, 02:08 PM

go for what you want, i am just a young guy as well, 24 to be exact, and everyone has to start out somewhere ... if you can get 34k i would say that is good, my first job i started at 31k being a sysadmin, but i didn't have as many responsibilities as i do now ...

klein · 05-11-04, 02:10 PM

daver you also have to look at what city this is in, the closer to TO the more you will make, i was in hamilton for my first job and now in Burlington, so that helped a bit as well

daver676 · 05-11-04, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cruciform
If you feel cornered ask the amount you want, eg. 34k, with a probationary period of 3 to 6 months at an amount which you think they would find acceptable.

Provided you think they wouldn't screw you over in 3 months and say you're not worth the extra cash

Well the bottom line is I'm a newb, but I just don't want to get screwed because of it.

I've got a little checklist going here that should hold me on the path I want to be.

klein · 05-11-04, 02:11 PM

good luck in your dealings as well, that has to be one of the hardest things to do ... let us know what you end up getting if you want to, just curious to compare