Just started a new/my first IT job post-military, questions about salary/promotions.

Last Monday was my first day working as a civilian in IT. I came from 5 years in the Army as a 25U. I currently have no certifications and no degree, but am fairly tech savvy with a passion for learning in the IT field. I think this is why I got my job, they saw I enjoy what I do and want to learn.

Anyway, the company I'm working for provides IT and business services to small medical practices in the area. They have converted a lot of practices to EMR (electronic medical records) and I was hired for a new service they're providing. I go to locations and install a probe that monitors temperatures in vaccination refrigerators. This probe communicates wireless with a network and provides a web interface/logs data so that the practices can make sure their vaccines are being handled correctly and report when there's any kind of issue. So I'm basically the only one on this job and through 6 months I'm going to be going around to 80 different locations in the area installing and configuring these devices and communicating with office managers throughout the whole procedure. I will also be configuring the wireless network at each location to communicate with the company's network. All in all, nothing too difficult and a good foot in with the company and a good way to show I'm capable.

During the periods of time that I will have between installations I will be working at the office learning bits and pieces for the "Jr. Windows Systems Administrator" job I have been hired for after completion of the field tech job. I don't know what the responsibilities are of a typical "Jr. Windows Systems Administrator" but this one seems pretty demanding. I don't have exact numbers and details of the responsibilities, but it seems the one current windows systems admin (one senior admin currently, hiring one more jr other than myself) keeps busy dealing with an endless stream of trouble tickets escalated beyond the 50+ helpdesk reps, handling server issues of all kinds, active directory, etc. The great upside of this job is that I believe I was VERY lucky to get it given my lack of degree/specific experience and it seems to be a job where I will learn a lot of very relevant stuff. I spoke with the senior admin a bit on Friday and he basically confirmed that it's a great company to work for and tons of room to move up. Everyone is extremely cool and laid back and flexible with hours, for ex. one guy comes in an hour early every day and gets every other Friday off. Also said they'd work around my school schedule no problem.

All that said, I'm a little curious on what kind of salary expectations I should have in the future and how long I should expect to last in job positions. I basically low balled my salary request starting out just asking for "at least $600/mo" (I had expected to land a job making $13-15 an hr). I was offered and accepted $45,000 with $.50 per mile on the road. They've given me a Blackberry and my boss ordered me a new $2500 Dell laptop for the road and told me to just use it like it's my personal laptop.

The job is in a pretty high cost of living area.. currently paying $1000 rent for a one bedroom average apartment that is nothing special. My question is, should I expect a substantial salary boost moving from the field tech to jr. window systems admin position in 6 months? How much time would I typically be looking at to move from the jr admin spot to sr admin assuming I perform well? What kind of pay increase would I see then?

Just trying to kind of map out my future and stuff.. considering purchasing a house in the area and whatnot after 7 more months when my lease is up.

Thanks in advance for the info

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Comments

Mrock4

Well, congrats on getting out man. I'm a former 25B (actually..my last day on terminal leave is TOMORROW!), and I'm enjoying civilian life so far.

That salary seems low for someone who probably has a clearance. Have you considered gov't work for a little bit? I have certs and no degree (working on it..), but I'm doing pretty well by virtue of the certs and military experience. I'd highly recommend working on those two though..they will improve your chances at a higher paying job dramatically.

ck86

I plan to work on certs. Right now I'm going to school 4 nights a week and just trying to get back in work mode after a handful of time "recovering" from my deployments. I'm using the post 9/11 GI bill and getting BAH from that, so my income + that is putting me close to $60k/yr. I've asked pretty much everyone in the admin area at the company I'm working what kind of certs/degree they have and what they would suggest me to do with my education. A few have CS degrees but said the education was practically worthless. Others have completely unrelated degrees or none at all. The guy who is one level below the CIO doesn't even have a degree, so I'm kind of feeling like getting a bachelors degree is just something that I'll slowly earn over like 5-6 years due to working full time and not a huge level of importance for it right now.

I do have a secret clearance, but it's not at all necessary for this job and there aren't any jobs in my area that would use it outside of Lockheed Martin, which never contacted me after I submitted my resume.

For my job responsibilities and the cost of living in this area I feel a little underpaid, but that might be my fault with throwing them such a low figure in the beginning. I think they prob would have easily paid 50k if I had attempted to negotiate, but again I was just happy to be getting a real job rather than having to take the $12.50/hr Comcast helpdesk job.

Do company's often start employees at a fairly low salary and give a nice bonus after 6-12 months of proving themselves? Should I expect to see a 5-10k salary boost in 6 months moving from a field tech to jr windows systems admin or is that unrealistic?

tpatt100

My only significant jumps in pay came from getting a new job.6-12 months is not a significant amount of time to your current employer. Only helps to a potential new employer who might think your worth snatching from your current employer

Mrock4

kasel23 wrote: »

Do company's often start employees at a fairly low salary and give a nice bonus after 6-12 months of proving themselves? Should I expect to see a 5-10k salary boost in 6 months moving from a field tech to jr windows systems admin or is that unrealistic?

Don't discount the degree at all. You mentioned those you speak to has CS degrees. Well, don't get a CS degree! I'm not knocking on those who do, but I wouldn't. Why not a business degree, marketing, etc? Something different, that will not chain you to the IT profession forever. My job now "required" a BS/BA, and although I did get it, they've made it clear if I ever want to move up into management (I really don't know if I do or not), I'll need a degree...which I'm working on.

You mentioned the guy below the CIO doesn't have a degree. Well, what about the CIO? How long do you plan on being in IT? If it's for a while, you might as well shoot for the top.

I agree with tpatt, your best outlook on a nice raise is going to be a new job. But, that doesn't mean this one is worthless. Gain valuable experience there, learn everything you can, and you might open some doors. Additionally, I've heard of more than one person who got a really healthy raise at 12 months..so that could happen too.

Either way though, if I was you- I'd keep doing what you're doing with your education (degree IS forever), and maybe dedicate a couple of hours a week to working on a certification. Just my $.02...