IT Worker Salary Comparison
Luinmac
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've got a few questions about job and salary expectations...
First, I work at a great company in IT. I know I'm not high on the totem-pole, but I make a decent living wage I would say (compared to previous jobs in retail and coffee shops). Anyway, while I absolutely enjoy the job I have, appreciate it for everything it's worth, and love the people I work with...
... I can't help but compare my salary with other comparable positions. First of all, I'm only doing comparisons online at IT Job websites... so maybe those aren't 100% accurate. Second, I couldn't afford to not have this job (or any job, for that matter) for very long... so I'm definetly appreciative of the job.
The thing is, while my title is one thing (technically considered Tier 1), I perform Tier 2 and 3 on a daily basis. I wouldn't go so far as to compare my current salary with a "dedicated" tier 2 or 3 salary... but it still seems like it should account for something.
Also, the people I work with that are technically the Tier 2/3 guys... I don't think any of them have a college degree...? I came in with an AAS in Computer Science (major in network admin)... but that doesn't seem to have had any effect on my salary. Again, just thinking out loud there... I know this isn't a good time to make any requests for salary changes... but it looks like when comparing to other (even tier1) positions, I should be making a bit more... what seems like far too much to just go and request.
Anyway... I figure I'd better stick around and see if any new opportunities show up for me within this company? It's possible that I could move onto one of the tier 2/3 positions... (even though I feel very looked down on and treated differently because of my age [early 20's]).
And on the other hand, maybe I should drop it and just not complain...
First, I work at a great company in IT. I know I'm not high on the totem-pole, but I make a decent living wage I would say (compared to previous jobs in retail and coffee shops). Anyway, while I absolutely enjoy the job I have, appreciate it for everything it's worth, and love the people I work with...
... I can't help but compare my salary with other comparable positions. First of all, I'm only doing comparisons online at IT Job websites... so maybe those aren't 100% accurate. Second, I couldn't afford to not have this job (or any job, for that matter) for very long... so I'm definetly appreciative of the job.
The thing is, while my title is one thing (technically considered Tier 1), I perform Tier 2 and 3 on a daily basis. I wouldn't go so far as to compare my current salary with a "dedicated" tier 2 or 3 salary... but it still seems like it should account for something.
Also, the people I work with that are technically the Tier 2/3 guys... I don't think any of them have a college degree...? I came in with an AAS in Computer Science (major in network admin)... but that doesn't seem to have had any effect on my salary. Again, just thinking out loud there... I know this isn't a good time to make any requests for salary changes... but it looks like when comparing to other (even tier1) positions, I should be making a bit more... what seems like far too much to just go and request.
Anyway... I figure I'd better stick around and see if any new opportunities show up for me within this company? It's possible that I could move onto one of the tier 2/3 positions... (even though I feel very looked down on and treated differently because of my age [early 20's]).
And on the other hand, maybe I should drop it and just not complain...
Luinmac on
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However, you missed "How long have you been there?" As you said, you're young.
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
How long have you been at the company?
Can you actually get a job with a higher salary?
How is your company doing financially (are they laying off people in other depts/your dept)?
Yes, there are layoffs, but there weren't when I came on.
Hope this helps. Right now is an AWFUL time to try to gain an "average" salary range for jobs.
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beforethedarktimes.com
This isn't a realistic title because I handle probably 50% of the calls/e-mails that come in, as well as on-site work... meaning tier 2 and 3. In the short time I've been here, I've completed more tasks than a couple of the developers that have been here for years.
Vintagegamer - Yeah, I figured as much... bad time to seek anything higher, I understand that much =/
Secondly, don't look at online job sites for pay indications, they lie, and inflate payrates and number of jobs available. If you watch these sites for a few months you see the same damn positions advertised and never get filled. Looking at these sites you get the idea there are thousands of jobs out there all paying double or more what you're getting; this is not the case.
The higher payscales are commanded by: those who have extensive project and team management experience, or those who have deep knowledge and broad experience in systems that have either a low supply of experts and/or have a steep and long learning curve, or those that bring in revenue.
There is no parity between formal education or training and "rank" in IT. It's all what you can do, what's your experience, how's your capability for solving novel problems and how well you can pitch this in a job interview. Assuming you're being hired by someone who knows how to fill the position (IT/Operations) and not someone who's working from a list of buzzwords and acronyms (HR).
Your training/education has no value in the job you're currently at, it only has any value when you're applying to jobs, but your experience and how well you can dovetail that to the interview are more relevant to your landing the job and commanding higher wages.
Back in late 2000 I got a job doing level 1 support at Capital One in richmond, va (larger than many midwest cities, but cost of living is very similar whenever I've checked, although house prices seem to have been more expensive the last several years). I started at $15/hr and within a couple years was making $16.25/hr - basically low to mid-30ks range. I moved from there to level 2 support at Capital One - the actual hands on work at $18/hr. While I was there earning $18/hr, new people were brought in for that same position at $12-$13/hr.
After that I went to Infineon doing what was unofficially considered tier 2.5 work. I worked closely with the tier 3 support guys analyzing tibco rendevous messages realtime, some entry level software development, entry level apache web server admin, etc. still at $18/hr. while doing that.
I'm currently a sr developer at a small company pulling in $52k/yr. This is low, but I've got companies trying to offer me even less at $40k-$50k.
So, while you're potentially on the low side, you're probably not super far out of line especially with the current economy.
I'm with ya Jimmy, my rez is on Monster right now and I get some lower offers too. Just when you want to say "what are you smoking, offering me that piddly ass salary??", you see another update on CNN where another company is laying off X number of employees blah blah blah. It makes me chomp painfully on my tongue..
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beforethedarktimes.com
Other than that, what Djeet said.
PSN: Broichan
They do little to actually advance you by themselves, but they do help expose you to things you haven't seen before which can aid you in an interview when your interviewer decides to grill you on problems that "may" arise.
Thanks guys, you've put this into a better context for me to be satisfied with. I'll continue to do the higher work, and just hope I'm noticed and/or promoted in the future.
As far as your age goes and feeling "looked down on" - don't let it get to you. In a field that changes as rapidly as IT, being younger can actually be a boon if you keep up on continued knowledge/education. I just turned 27 and work for a billion dollar corporation. I am leading the development practices and techniques for a lot of developers, almost all of whom are older than me. As long as you don't have a problem with it and project confidence in your abilities, others won't have a problem and will come to respect you, regardless of age. Any people that continue to judge you based on age and not skills are simply insecure.
It's possible that taking the first route will make you obsolete for your job function for which you were hired, but in my experience this is a valued outcome by employers and they will find more difficult things for you to do. You may want to make personal logs of completed projects or how you resolved interesting or troublesome issues right after you've completed them. It's good to go into performance reviews or job interviews with concrete examples of how you add value.
At most work places, people don't go around poking into your file to find out how old you are. If there's a drastic age difference between you and the others in the office (IE: its clear they are all 30+) then play up to that. Listen to them and pretend you want to learn from them. People love that feeling. And hey, you might learn something.
If the people around you are still in their 20's, there's something you're doing to make your age clear. Dress like your boss, don't play pokemon on your break (lol!) and the more professional you appear, the less your age is even going to become clear.
I am extremely young for the position I am in at my current company. Most people assume I'm over 30 because I take care to dress professionally and speak seriously on the phone.
Yeah I know what you mean there. I try to live up to those expectations as well as I can. I dress very nicely, I speak very well, both to people and on the phone. I write very well in e-mails. I'm always showing an interest in what everyone else (30+, some 50-ish) is doing, and always willing to help.
But, at the same time, I'm "The Kid" and "Junior" around the IT group... And yeah, when we're acting casual, I really don't care... but after a while it becomes apparent that they don't respect my knowledge and experience (which I would say surpasses some of them). I know it'll take more time to earn the respect of everyone, but I don't agree with it affecting how my possible movements/shifts of position/paygrade through the group may come about.
In 2005 I was working for a defense contractor in FL making 30k a year. A buddy in MD offered me a gig working for him doing IA work, so I moved and graduated up to 44k a year. In 2007 our company did some wierd salary adjusting, and got bumped up to 52k a year - basically for tier 2 support and below. I switched in 2007 to a big defense contractor, and while my job duties didn't change much, it jacked me up to 77.5k a year as of now. The things that got me where i'm at are 1) A security clearance. 2) 10 years in the biz. 3) A mercenary attitude of following the money.
IMHO, the days of company loyalty are over. You find a good company, and if they'll pay you more, move. If you're a contractor, it's expected, and doesn't reflect poorly on your resume. If your a corporate salary type, it's probably best to stay with your company. Things that reflect pay depend on where you live too. I doubt I'd make 77k in FL, 68k would be more consummate with that state, which has a lower cost of living (and no state income tax - Fuck you MD).
Trust what this man has to say. He trained me. I went from making 35k to 60k. Couldn't be happier.
That sounds typical for Tier One support.
If you weren't fixing problems, you wouldn't be IT, you'd be a receptionist.
Tier One support should be able to handle more than 50% of the calls they get, because the vast majority of helpdesk calls are "my printer doesn't work!" (turn it off and on)" and so forth.
I think you're doing fine. Get some server or network configuration experience, maybe a certification, and then look for a promotion to the next tier, or as a team leader.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
During university I worked a coop/student job doing actual dev/programming work at a nuclear power plant, making $38k/year. Immediately after university the dot com bust was in full swing and I couldn't find work. I took a low-ball crap job as tech support at a small company for $25k/year. In my first 6 months I programmed a new Tech Support Database application, custom made for the company, which helped prove my abilities. I had kicked some ass as tech support too and was promoted to supervisor/manager of the tech support department and also made an official developer, pay increased to $40k.
Over the next 1.5 years my pay increased to $55k (though I had to fight for it). During that time I had nice opportunities to develop my skills by doing some enterprise projects and project management. I felt I had gotten everything I could from that company (things were starting to get tedious), so I applied at another small company where I negotiated very cockily ("I'm the best, I don't care if you don't hire me, this is what its gonna cost you"). I demanded $70k, and they countered with $62.5k and better vacation. I went for it.
After 1 year I went to $70k, and a year later to $75k. I've somewhat plateaued for now due to company revenue and the economy.
My point is, as long as you remain a tier 1 tech support, you will be paid accordingly (it sounds like your pay is appropriate for your job). If you want more you have to get a more .. impressive.. job. If you don't have the skills for it, then find a way to get them. The sad fact is that level 1 tech support jobs can be filled very easily (outsourced overseas, for example), so companies aren't willing to pay much since they don't have to.
But keep your ear to the ground anyway. If you get a solid job offer you can always use it for leverage.
Hey what's up "I got cornholed by the recession" buddy?
Join the Army like me I guess.
This surprise me that you aren't making closer to/above 100k a year in MD as a contractor.
Here in the Washington DC area I would say the average cleared contractor in IT makes 85-105k a year.
In comparison the starting federal salary is between 45-55k.
This will be rapidly changing - right now, with the shit ecomony and all, most companies are dishing out raises or salary adjustments.
And surprisingly, it depends on what you do, and at what level you're cleared. A TS/SCI guy who does logistics probably won't break 80k on a first time hire, but a Tier 3/IT engineer can wrangle upwards of 120k easy enough. I'm a Tier 2/sysadmin, who dabbles in Tier 3 - but I work big time projects that go to the very top echelon's of the DoD - so that gives me leeway on my pay. Soon as this damn recession buggers off, i'm getting a gold plated ferrari - fo sho.
onsite work with my shop pays $25/hr, inhouse fixing is ~$16/hr, it's kinda comission based cause you can multitask.
and in my freetime I do freelance work, my starting rate is $65/hr.
knowing people in a medium-smallish town is awesome.
Another thing is that a lot of companies will offer huge salaries for a cleared contractor who is only to employed for the life of a contract. In a lot of cases (especially now because of the economy), you can make 80-100k a year but you only have a job for a short span (usually varies anywhere from 6 months to 5 years).
I took a smaller salary (compared to others with contract gigs) to be a permanent fixture in a company. Plus I have no degree which hinders me as well. As a matter of fact I think I'm damn lucky to make what I'm making. I've seldom met people who can command that kind of salary with no degree.