Salary for unix/network admin 1

[ponetguy2]

Hello everyone, I'm about to start job hunting. I have 9 years experience in IT. five years with unix, 9 years with windows, and also 9 years with network administration. I'm certified with Solaris 8 and CCNA. I don't have a college degree, but I have some college. Five years out of the nine was from the financial industry (focus on electronic trading servers and workstations).

I'm currently earning $74,000/year. How much should I expect to get offered when I go out in to the market. Suggestions on minimum and maximum salary would truly be appreciated.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[langleymass]

RHI Consulting publishes a "salary guide" every year, I think.

 

[kHz]

Try this:

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_newsearch.asp

There are also salary surveys published in the Journal for Unix Administrators and other magazines.

 

[ponetguy2]

thank you for the replies. However, i have another question.

i've been working with this IT manager from one of the firms we support. He told me that they have an opening for desktop support. he knows i'm over qualified, but he said he will be looking for a system admin within six to eight months. plus he might try to groom me as destop support manager. should i go for it? nothing is guaranteed and i think he is just trying to get me for cheap. he is a cool guy to work with, but i'm not sure if i can trust him on this. i don't want to take anything less than what i make now. any suggestions?

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[reliancetech]

I will suggest don't go ..... what is desktop support ..it is boaring ... no fun .. and you don't have guarantee.

Well you can go there when they have actual opening ... But changing job should be your own decision ...

 

[kHz]

he might try to groom me as destop support manager

Might is a pretty strong word. And there would have to be an opening for the position. Does he anticipate an opening? If so, it would probably be opened up to an internal and external search, and there wouldn't be any guarantee it would be given to you.

he said he will be looking for a system admin within six to eight months

How does he know he will need a sys admin in six to eight months? Is it six months or is it eight months?

If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

 

[ponetguy2]

thank you for the replies. i think i might pass on this job, but i will still go in for an interview. if they are willing to pay me more or maybe equal, i might consider it.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[BocaBurger]

Someone who wants to work in desktop support? I hope you have a good supply of Exedrin and Toprol



BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!

 

[ponetguy2]

i know, it's been a while since i've done desktop suport. the last time i was in desktop support was 1997.



Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[sab4you]

i advise against it, its a bad career move.

think of it like this, what will your next company think of it on your resume as your last job - desktop support? With 9 years IT experience? It dont look good my friend...it would look as if you failed as a network admin and had to move back down, or that you never really were catching on to this admin stuff and went back to desktop support which is more your tech level.

stay in an equal career or move up - not down.

good luck!

 

[ponetguy2]

sab4you,

you are definetly right. my wife and my friends told me thesame thing. i think i will pass on this one and keep looking somewhere else. for some reason, i'm having a bit of a hard time finding a unix admin job. maybe because my linux skills are not up to par. all my interviews kept asking me if i've worked on linux. the only time i messed with linux is at home or testing our software at work. nothing major.

linux can't be much different than unix. if so, i'm resourcefull enought to figure it out.

thank you again for the advise.


Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[kHz]

When I was looking at a Unix job and they wanted Linux exp., my answer was over 10 years experience with AIX, Solaris, and FreeBSD, which was countered with, "no linux?", so I invoked the "bite me" clause and continued looking.

 

[ponetguy2]

khz,

BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! that was funny. some of these companies are a little to picky with this. linux and unix to me are very similar. it's not like we can't figure it out.



Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[kHz]

I believe the reason for Linux not using Unix is because of legality and trademarks. However, they are truly similar. If you can drive a Chevy, you can drive a Ford.

 

[ponetguy2]

khz,

given that unix admins like you and i agree that unix and linux are very similar and us believing that it would be an easy transition, does'nt it make you wonder if these employers know what they are talking about?



Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[johnherman]

I used to have this problem with HR at a previous employer. They would screen the resumes. I needed a programmer and the programmer needed experience with the Unix operating system. After HR told me we only had 2 qualified responses to the newspaper ad, I asked if I could see the unqualified responses and, you guessed it, it was full of HP-UX, AIX, and SunOS/Solaris people. A short education session with HR was beneficial to both parties.

If the person doing the hiring doesn't know the similarity of Linux and Unix, and no one has educated that person regarding similar systems, perhaps you shouldn't consider that company as worthy of *your* consideration. Agree with kHz, they can bite me.

-------------------------
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that noboby appreciates how difficult it was.
- Steven Wright

 

[ponetguy2]

Maybe there is a way where techies can make their resumes user friendly



Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[ponetguy2]

I can't believe this crap. I had another interview and they were questioning my RH Linux experience. I told them that the last time I worked with RH was with 7.2 and 7.3. Since then, I've been using Fedora for personal use.

They seemed to be a little bummed that I lack RH experience. However, I kept assuring them that I have a strong Solaris background and it should be an easy adjustment. Despite of my assurance, I don't think they were confident in my Linux skills.

I am sooooooooo bumed!!!

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[BocaBurger]

I love it when they ask for 5 years of experience with Windows 2003 or the equivalent time with other recent products.



BocaBurger
<===========================||////////////////|0
The pen is mightier than the sword, but the sword hurts more!

 

[ponetguy2]

Bocaburger,

Hahahahahaha

that it soooooo true. HR departments need to pull their heads out of their butt holes.

Unfortunately, the people who interviewed me were the actual IT Admins. Alot of companies who are looking for Unix Admins are really big on Linux. We really don't use Linux at work. We did some testing on it with our software, we had a file server and web server, and that is about it. nothing major.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support