Jr. Sys Admin Salary Question...

I need some quick input from you guys:

I've been promoted to a Jr. Linux Sys Admin at my company and I'm struggling to figure of if the salary they gave me is acceptible. (I'm going to have to be somewhat vague with the details for confidentiality purposes.) I work for a somewhat large company in Charlotte, NC. I have a college degree in my field along with my A+, Net+, Sec+.

What would everyone consider to be an acceptable salary?

I can't find any solid salary guides online for Jr. Linux Admin. Anyone have any first hand experience?

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Comments

RobertKaucher

I am going to give you the best professional advice that you can be given:

Especially when you are entering a field you should decide what the lowest sallary you believe is acceptable to perform the duties expected of you at your current level of both knowledge and experience. Write this down and when you get the job you want, that entry level job that is going to open things up for you in the future, be happy with where you are. When you then find out that person X is making 10K more than you look back at that paper and be happy.

Once you have been working for a while and have progressed in experience and knowledge it may be time to find another position within the same company or branch out. This would be the best time to negotiate up your salary.

Especially at a Jr. level in the economy we are in, I would try hard not to worry about this. Once you have two years of experience and have gained some professional level certifications (not Linux+ or LPIC-1, but something like LPIC-3 or RHCE) as well as some good accomplishments under your belt - then I would start looking for something bigger. If you have been happy with what you are making and like your job, I would just consider the current salary to be all you need to know about.

But from an informed employee perpective a Jr. Windows Admin in my area (Cincinnati/Dayton, Ohio) you are looking at 35K to 40K. I was being looked at for a Jr. level spot back in 2006 that was 2/3 Linux 1/3 Windows and the pay was about the same.

TNT143

In West VA there aren't many Linux SAs, but in Reston, VA there are tons! It really depends on a few things:

1. Location (major city vs. rural)
2. Size of company (sometimes smaller companies don't have the budget compared to big time DOD contractors)
3. Experience
4. TYPE of degree (BS or MS type)
5. Some places look at where you got your degree and their accredidation stats

To be honest the Jr positions are usually 10k less than seniors and usually rather low anyway (20-40). I haven't ever held a 'tech' job, more of an administrator role, but I have several friends who are SAs and they make anywhere form 60-100k+ with several years experience.

I would 'guess' that 50-ish since Linux is somewhat 'rare' may be acceptable for a Jr. Check this site out: Salary.com Salary Wizard- Do you know what you're worth?

xenodamus

When I think "Jr. Admin", I think $45k-$55k.

That is my baseless, unsupported opinion which is worth exactly what I charged you for it.

That seems to be a fair price in my area anyway (central MS), judging by the job postings. I have no idea how linux affects those numbers, though, and there are a ton of other factors to consider as mentioned above.

Priston

Unless your making less than $40k I wouldn't make a big deal out of it. Next year after you have been in your new role for a year i'm sure you'll get a nice raise again.
But I would agree with the $45k - $55k range xenodamus said

cisco_certs

How much did they offer you?

i think 55k-60k

apena7

Congrats on the promotion! I didn't know "Jr." IT roles still existed in the job market -- learn all you can because those roles are few and far in between.

tomahawkeer

Yeah there is definately Jr. roles out there, and while they obviously make less than Sr. its still a good way to get your feet wet in an area that may not be your strongest.

TNT143, good to see another WV guy on the boards. Welcome!

it_consultant

humbleboy wrote: »

I need some quick input from you guys:

I've been promoted to a Jr. Linux Sys Admin at my company and I'm struggling to figure of if the salary they gave me is acceptible. (I'm going to have to be somewhat vague with the details for confidentiality purposes.) I work for a somewhat large company in Charlotte, NC. I have a college degree in my field along with my A+, Net+, Sec+.

What would everyone consider to be an acceptable salary?

I can't find any solid salary guides online for Jr. Linux Admin. Anyone have any first hand experience?

Look at what Windows Jr. Admins are making and tack on an extra 10-15%. MS is hot but linux pays better.

TNT143

tomahawkeer wrote: »

Yeah there is definately Jr. roles out there, and while they obviously make less than Sr. its still a good way to get your feet wet in an area that may not be your strongest.

TNT143, good to see another WV guy on the boards. Welcome!

PM me whereabouts!

not many 'techy' folk out here!

SteveLord

I saw a craigslist ad recently asking for a Red Hat Admin...up to $40/hr DOE (comes to $83k) . Probably senior though?

humbleboy

Thanks to everyone for the feedback! I feel a little better about my situation after being reminded how lucky I am for the opportunity. With a couple of years of exp I'll be able to name my price I feel. I never heard back if anyone out there had the same position and what they got paid... anyone have any first hand experience with Jr. Linux Sys Admin pay?

Tackle

humbleboy wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for the feedback! I feel a little better about my situation after being reminded how lucky I am for the opportunity. With a couple of years of exp I'll be able to name my price I feel. I never heard back if anyone out there had the same position and what they got paid... anyone have any first hand experience with Jr. Linux Sys Admin pay?

I can't speak for Jr. Linux admin, but I can for Jr. Sys Admin, (which is what I started at out of college). In Minnesota average for Jr. Sys Admin was 30-35k a year. I started out at 25k just out of college with no expierence or certs. After 6 months I have been given a 5k increase and can expect another 5k within another 6 months, so 10k in raise's after 1 year.

Take out of that what you will...

Dryst999

I'm actually about to take a Jr. System Admin role that is basically matching my help desk salary of 35k, I know it's below market value but if a company is willing to train you it's well worth it. Two years in an Admin role and a TON of 50k+ oppurtunities open up for you no matter what state you want to move to. Hell i'd even take a pay cut for the experience, two years of crap pay is nothing compared to jump starting your career for the next 30+ years.

RouteThisWay

Dryst999 wrote: »

I'm actually about to take a Jr. System Admin role that is basically matching my help desk salary of 35k, I know it's below market value but if a company is willing to train you it's well worth it. Two years in an Admin role and a TON of 50k+ oppurtunities open up for you no matter what state you want to move to. Hell i'd even take a pay cut for the experience, two years of crap pay is nothing compared to jump starting your career for the next 30+ years.

Very good advice that many people should consider here

I just accepted a sys admin job for mid 40's... a little low in my area, however.. it is going to be my first sys admin job off a few years as a help desk/desktop support guy. They specifically mentioned tons of training opportunities via classes, vendor training (both on and offsite), etc. I will get tons of experience with them. They even noted my lack of experience but I sold them on my ability and desire to learn- which is what they want.

As you said, sacrificing a bit of pay (still a raise for me) for the opportunity to learn marketable skills is something I think everyone does in the dawn of their career. Good luck with your new job