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

 

[rliebsch]

well, yeah it is demanding. its rough. we like to refer to this place as the
"golden handcuffs with diamond inlays"

I am almost to the 100K mark. so the pay isn't that bad. Of course, honestly, it is exhausting and trying. That is why I am trying to build a team. Its just baffling that I have to hire 2 or more folks to do what I have been doing alone for years.

I can't wait for my team though. I desperately need a vacation.

Granted whenI took the job, I made amply sure there was money in the bank to cover my salary...

Robert Liebsch
Stone Yamashita Partners

http://www.stoneyamashita.com/

 

[ponetguy2]

Honestly, my job is not that bad. If anything, our system is very stable and I rarely need to work over 40 hrs. a week. The reason I am looking is because I'm bored.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[rliebsch]

I dream about 40 hour work weeks. I haven't had one of those since before the dotcom boom.


Consider yourself lucky. Take up some hobbies, take some classes. Then take it from there.

I realize your are comfortable yet bored. So, this is also the point to figure out what you want to do. You have sufficient time to score a BS or an MA, or even Certs. Any would be great for your personal and career growth. School is great. Good books, great networking, great educational experience.

Or screw the career growth, and look consider things you only dreamt about doing.

For instance. I am a musician. Have been since about 5, but we all know it doesn't pay well, except for the fortunate few. However, I am 30 some years old, I am still in a band. I play out about twice a month (I love going to work bleary eyed telling folks, yeah - I had a gig last night). Also, I am working on buliding a recording studio. I have spent a bit of cash and I have been getting help from others who I know do sound/record engineering, buy books, etc - trying to learn how it is all done.

So, fill out your life. Fulfill a dream. Kill your television, start something.

Maybe you have an artistic side. Maybe you have a geek deep inside who wants to work on hardware or software innovation. Whatever it is you wish you were doing, do it.

You are not just what you do for a living. You are what you do while living.

Anyway, enough preaching. Got work to do.



Robert Liebsch
Stone Yamashita Partners

http://www.stoneyamashita.com/

 

[ponetguy2]

haha, thank you Robert. I'm already signed-up for a CCIE class. I'm still in the process of getting my CCNA. I should be ready for the exam in three weeks.

As a hobby, I a sweet lab at home. I have two sparc machines (ultra 10 and ultra 2), four routers (cisco 2500 and 26000), three switches (cisco 1900, and 2900), four PCs (linux and windows), and two laptops. Obviously, I am a geek. LOL

I've been with thesame company for over five years. I really feel like moving on. I know that 40 hour weeks sound great, but boredom can really get to you after a while. Shooting the breeze everyday for six hours sucks.


Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[gbl]

After reading this thread, I think it should be mandatory for all IT managers and all HR personnel involved in creating job descriptions and requirements and performing interviews to read this thread and really understand the candidate side of the picture. Overall, a very informative exchange of information for me when I decide to make the next move.

 

[ponetguy2]

I have another interview on Friday. I was on monster and figured to just give it a shot. Wish me luck.

I hope it goes well. They keep telling me on the phone interview that they need a go to guy for Unix. Does this mean I'll be the only Unix guy in the company? That statement made me a little nervous. I'm confident with my skills, but I've never been the go to guy for Unix. I'm more well rounded than anything. I'm pretty good at Network troubleshooting and windows as well, but I've always been part of a team that works together to fix a problem. Additionally, they keep asking me if I have experience with clustering. Unfortunately I don't. I hope I'm not going over my head with this job that I'm applying for. :|

This is a much smaller company. They only have 30 something Solaris Enterprise servers. We have hundreds, but these are electronic trading servers. totally different from regular servers.


Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[dennisbbb]

It means they are looking for an Expert level candidate in Unix. They also have clustering. Better read up.

Don't get too nervous. Trust yourself and be confident. Go in with all you got. If you land the job, then it means you are their best pick after they weighted all the options.

 

[ponetguy2]

Thank you Dinnisbbb. I was planning on going in there with what I already know. I am some what familiar with clustering, but I don't want to pretend like I know it either. Last thing I want to do is get a job I am not qualified for. I will read-up on it, but I will tell them that I really don't have experience in clustering. I've just read a few docs on the subject.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[crystalized]

It is an interesting problem. On the one hand you are bored with what you are doing, but on the other hand you are a little scared of the challenges of the potential new job. I can definitely empathize with that feeling, I have been there before!

Just remember that if you really want to get out of something boring you are going to have to leave your comfort zone - the question is, how far out of that comfort zone are you willing to go?

Is there any possibility for leaving that comfort zone with your current employer by asking for some variation in your current job/work plan etc.

Good luck!

Crystal
--------------------------------------------------

Experience is one thing you can't get for nothing.

-Oscar Wilde

 

[ponetguy2]

Great analysis Crystal. I do have a comfort zone at my current job and I am bored. My real fear is loosing my skills at my current job. About a year and a half ago, I was constantly building new servers and sending them out. Now, I can't even remember the last machine I built. I really feel like I'm loosing my skills. I find myself going to my notes more often than usual. Secondly, there is no room for growth at my current job. I've been hear for almost five years and I'm still in thesame position. No one is getting promoted.

I need to just bite the bullet and find a new job. Thank you for your analysis and opinion.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[dennisbbb]

When you say "promote" do you mean "salary increase", "Title change", or both?

IMO, a promotion is a "change in position Title entailing a new set of tasks, hopefully along with a salary increase."

In your current position, the new tasks are up to you to create. You are at the top of the food chain in your department.

While most IT people are bored with their work environment and want to move on, the subject matter is never boring to begin with. It is the same subject matter everywhere you go. It's a never ending learning experience.

 

[ponetguy2]

I work for a foreign company in Chicago. Every time a management position is open, none of the locals get promoted. They usually ship someone from their native country for the management position. I'm not bitter about it, but this is how they handle things. However, they do pay us well and have great benefits, but I still don't feel fulfilled.



Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[dennisbbb]

So it's not salary and subject matter, it's company ethics. I can't say another company won't have a better or worst ethics. The result is, you simply want to swim in a bigger and cleaner fish pond. I totally understand.

Tell us how the interview go?

 

[ponetguy2]

I had my interview today and I nailed it!!! They grilled me with unix questions and I was able to answer all of them and then some. They said they were impressed. I hope I get the job. They told me I should here from them next week.

Questions:
1) installing a new hard drive procedure
2) how to configure a NIC
3) file sharing questions
4) how to add/delete/modify users
5) Solaris installation options and procedures
6) hardware monitoring commands
7) where do I find the explorer output
8) how to add/delete packages and patches
9) Network trouble shooting tools
10) file security
etc.......

They pretty much grilled me.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[ponetguy2]

thank you for the reply dennisbbb.

i really need to work for a company where i can excel. they do pay us well, but i also want recognition for my achievments and dedication. people need something to strive for. yeah they pay us pretty well, but promotions make me feel like i achieved something special. it motivates me.

i am not the only one who feels this way in our company. alot of good people already left.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[johnpoole]

with the exception of items 5 and 9, those are handled by our desktop people. our network side makes about double the money as desktop. ?

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[ponetguy2]

I GOT THE JOB!!!!

I am sooooo happy, excited, and a little scared. It's a Senior Unix System Admin position for a small financial firm in Chicago. My background is in electronic trading servers, but my primary job will be administering unix servers running sendmail, apache, and samba. This will truly be a challenge. I worked briefly with sendmail, apache and samba before, but I would'nt consider my self an expert. Plus I told them during the interview that I need to re-familiarize my self on apache, samba, and sendmail.

I guess i better start reading up. If anyone has any cheat sheet to get me going, I would really appreciate it. Also, a suggestion for a good book to read would be great.

thank you to everyone for participating in my thread. it's been fun and educational.


Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[kHz]

Congratulations

 

[ponetguy2]

thank you kHz.

Carlo Reyes

Technology/Systems - Delivery
Networks and Infrastructure

Chicago Customer Technical Support

 

[dennisbbb]

Congrats!! now you can change your title signature on this forum.