Am I getting paid enough?

[Kymera]

Originally posted by RIOT:
It's funny that you said tri-state area because where I'm from is also known as a tri-state area (Kentucky, Indiana, and Illionis). I'm not too sure I'd like to move that far away; I definately know that my wife wouldn't go for that. Especially if she gets a teaching position here. I'll probably try to stay around this area for at least a year, then I might move to Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, etc. It all depends on if I'm still at the bank or if I find another job elsewhere. One reason that the bank isn't paying me as much is because I started as a teller and got promoted to the Network Assistant when the new teller computers needed to be installed and configured. Another reason is that the bank doens't use Novell at all; they have an AS/400, a Windows NT server, and a Windows 2000 server. So my CNA isn't worth anything to them in their eyes. When I get my CCNA, they probably won't be thinking that will be useful to them either. Hopefully by next year I'll have another job around here because I've basically decided that this job is just for the experience.

Are you kidding she could get a teaching position in NY in a hot minute. Qualified Teachers are very rare here, plus teachers also get hazard pay (don't quote me though). Tri-State around here means NY, NJ and CT. Though the NY portion really means Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs, who cares about the rest. Anyway, good luck with your new career.

[HIESLanMan]

As a general rule of thumb, when unskilled labor is making the same amount as you, I think it's time to change jobs! You're definately underpaid, and if you've been there a while now, you're probably not even learning enough to make the excuse that its a 'stepping stone'. I'd check out the recruiting sites and see what other people in the region are getting, and then show those numbers to the boss. If you've been there a while and you're pretty good, it's worth their while to pay you what you're worth (and not have to train a new guy!) Good luck!

[ShadowKing]

I think you should start looking also, BUT make a good assessment of your skills, and be aware of what a good hiring manager is looking for. The most important skills will be your non-technical ones.

INTEGRITY: I cannot stress this enough. Have 500 examples of your integrity. I would NEVER trust my company's data to someone that I could not trust.

Communication Skills: In order to succeed in todays IT world you must be able to communicate with both management and users.

Reliability: If you are working for a bank, you probably already come to work on time every day, but that is an important quality.

Traditionally banks tend to abuse the IT department, and underpay them. If you get your MCSE and have the skills/experience to back it up, you shouldn't be working for less than $25 an hour.

[sdrawkcab]

Originally posted by RIOT:
I work in Henderson, KY, but I am within driving distance of Owensboro, KY and Evansville, IN. Currently I'm being paid around $18K/year (roughly $8.52/hour) before taxes.

I lived in Southern Indiana for a long time and never made over $10/hr. Indianapolis is a much bigger market, and I make $15/hr cash in the shop and charge $60 onsite (business only.) Part of the increase was getting my A+, I-Net+, and Network+, but some of it was just going to bigger market, where I get a job offer about twice a week from stockbrokers, real estate companies, etc.

[klenard]

I start all of my bench techs at $11 - $12 an hour. I also start my Tech Support crew at the same rate. This is for entry level poeple though. If you have the experience, I suggest moving near a larger city.

[Pluto]

Here in the UK I don't think salaries match yours across the water. Most people I know started on around $15000 which doesn't go far in places like London. Top jobs pay loadsamoney obviously but PC Support techs on-site can expect from around $18000. Field engineers earn more.

[ChowFun]

I agree you should explore your options. I am working on my Associate's Degree and also a student worker in their IS. Currently i am gettin $10 per hour and that's good for just working part-time and going to school. Also i am gettin my experience..so that's a plus. Hearin from past students, the average salary they are gettin are from high 30's to mid 40's.

[Chosen One]

Dude, Find a new job, if you worked for the company I work for you would be at least, AT LEAST $45000/yr, if not more. Just start looking. The cost of living my be different down by you, so the sallary may differ, but come on, there bending you over and not even giving you a kiss when they're done. Look around or ask for a raise. Good luck!

[King Grover]

they're right. you are getting the old shaftola. I started tech scool for technical support, applied for a entry level helpdesk job and got it. I slowed down and eventually quit school. they started me at $9.50/hr, but i got a raise to $11 after 3 months. I got of the heldesk and started doing desktop support and now(3years later) I am making over $42k. You deserve more.

[Wasaw]

My little brother gets paid that much. He works at Subway Sandwiches. Your getting jipped man I have no certs or degrees, only personel experience building computers granted that I know alot more than the average joe just finishing their A+. I've taken the MCSE classes but not the tests and I went from taping drywall into computers cause it was lots funner. Started out at $9.00 and a year later I'm at 30,000 a year.

[CJK]

Definitely move on. I'm on my third year and am now just making 40k a year and I know I can get more than that I'm just using this job to pay for a little bit more training maybe a year or so more than it is time to move on.

[RIOT]

****UPDATE****

I just had my review. My boss said that he would start paying me $24K/year for my next raise. Hourly, that's about $11.54. I told him that I was hoping for at least $12/hour and that figures to $24,960. I knew the bank wouldn't give me any more than that in one pay increase. He's going to talk with his superiors to try to get $12/hour, but if they won't pay that, he said that he would get at least $24,000. This is a lot better, but I know that I could get more somewhere else. I'll be content with this for the time being, until my next review or job offer. Thanks to everyone for your opinions.

[Stalemate]

Bum deal.

This is not a place where you will want to stay. You have already accumulated enough experience to look elsewhere for much higher compensation.

Try one of the headhunting websites and compare what your experience should be getting you.

Catbert offers a similar evaluation, but I don't find him trustworthy. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[RIOT]

Originally posted by Ad3pT:
<STRONG>This is not a place where you will want to stay. You have already accumulated enough experience to look elsewhere for much higher compensation.</STRONG>

I wouldn't mind switching jobs, but most places aren't hiring around here... This is fine for now. Next week, it probably won't be enough. LOL

[Twisted_Mister]

I live in Lafayette, IN (45 min from Indy) and I make a little better than 60K as a tech. (I do a little of everything, but basically, I maintain about 250 pc's. We have a seperate network administrator - he makes about 60 as well. Screw those losers, man! Your Novell experience IS worth something - it demonstrates you trainability and dedication. Any company who says otherwise is ripping you off. You should not work for less than 30k period!