so many youngers do well in i.t

i just realised a lot of people in i.t are so young and doing well like most ppl get i.t jobs in late teen years and make a lot, how you guys do it? Any stories?

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kenoo

phaneuf1 wrote: »

It all depends on the location. 50K in NYC is not worth as much as 50K in wichita KS. I'm 24 and I make 51K, but you know what? If I wasn't bilingual and living in Toronto, which is a really expensive city to live in, I would probably make 40K-45K Maximum, and I only have an assiciate's degree. The secret working for large companies like banks and you will make big money. Big company = big money. I don't know for USA, but in canada that's how it works.

Emphasizing the bold for emphasis, I'm 24 and making 6 figures in the financial sector in nyc

phaneuf1

kenoo wrote: »

Emphasizing the bold for emphasis, I'm 24 and making 6 figures in the financial sector in nyc

But you pay $2500 for a bachelor in Manhattan. I mean, of course salary will be higher in NYC but you have to keep in mind that the cost of life is much higher than everywhere else in America. $100K in NYC is probably equal to $50K in Burlington VT.

kenoo

phaneuf1 wrote: »

But you pay $2500 for a bachelor in Manhattan. I mean, of course salary will be higher in NYC but you have to keep in mind that the cost of life is much higher than everywhere else in America. $100K in NYC is probably equal to $50K in Burlington VT.

I live 15 minutes outside the city in a different borough where cost of living is actually sane, alot of people commute from outside. In fact, a majority of the people at my place commute from outside - other boroughs, jersey, and connecticut

jdubb45

The secret is to create your own wealth. Don't wait for a company to pay you 100k. I have friends that make 20k per month, not through a employer but through their own account. People need to learn to put more time into their financial IQ (time management + financial self control + investing 101) more than a CCIE or PHD in plastic bag making. Again and I strees! Don't wait for a company to decide if you are worth 100k/yr.

My.02

stlsmoore

I agree, becoming debt free in a year and then focusing on my website portfolio. I still study during breaks at work, I've been having this internal debate on what to focus more on for the past few months. Vendor specific certs or focusing on securing my income for myself and family for the future. I don't want to work the 9-5 for forever or depend on 401K/retirement.

BigMevy

Many good points here, but I'd like to add something. It's not all about how much you can say you're making a year either, many other factors go into your overall package. What kind of benefits are you getting, how much vacation time, do they expect you to be working 60-70 hours a week or are you actually able to have a life? If there's travel involved, how much time is spent travelling and being on the road? Can you actually go on vacation and not have to take your laptop and cell phone with you? All of this factors into it. Keep in mind you're being paid for your time, if all your time is spent at work, then you better be getting paid 6 figures.

I don't know about you all, but I'd rather make less and only have to work 45~ish hours a week. I've got better things to do with my life then have it sucked up by a company that won't give a crap when I'm gone. That said, with hard work and dedication you can make a pretty good living in IT and have a life too. I probably work 45 hours a week, sometimes more when something is going on, sometimes less. I make 85k a year, but I'm a little older than most of you (almost 40) and it took me a while to get here.

Just my 2 bits.

pusher

For those making over $70K, what position do you hold, your years of experience, and please briefly explain how you got there? From what I can see (at least in the Vancouver B.C market), making over this much requires a tittle of IT Manager or Senior something, working for enterprise. Or being in some kind of management and actually managing people. Also you are probably doing cisco networking, erp, sap, and/or senior system engineer.

Is there a good thread on career path? For example, how does one becomes an IT Manager? Find a decent company and works there for 10 years? And hope they promote you to IT Manager when the current one leaves?

DexterPark

Wow, came kind of late to this thread, but what I wanted to say is that I am 22 years old making 65K. I work in Unified Communications, and my bank comes from two things: 1) I am hungry for information (Which most hiring managers see immediately). and 2) Certifications. I have only been working in UC for roughly 6 months now, but with my strong desire to learn I am already the best in my team. Before all this I was just HelpDesk, but I had to climb three levels of it before I was ready to move on to bigger things. Like Josh I am also trying to break the 100K mark. I estimate that will happen within three years if I keep getting certs at the rate I am going, and finish my Degree at Penn State.

m3zilla

pusher wrote: »

For those making over $70K, what position do you hold, your years of experience, and please briefly explain how you got there? From what I can see (at least in the Vancouver B.C market), making over this much requires a tittle of IT Manager or Senior something, working for enterprise. Or being in some kind of management and actually managing people. Also you are probably doing cisco networking, erp, sap, and/or senior system engineer.

Is there a good thread on career path? For example, how does one becomes an IT Manager? Find a decent company and works there for 10 years? And hope they promote you to IT Manager when the current one leaves?

Position: Network Engineer
Experience: 4 years

Started in Help Desk for a relatively small company. Was promoted to a Jr Developer role, but was let go due to "restructuring" (what does that even mean?). I got a job in an MSP, again, as help desk. During this time, I started racking up my Microsoft certifications (MCTIP, MCITP:EMA) and got an offer as a system engineer for a small company.

After 7 months, I received an offer as a Network Admin (again, small company). I took the job as it provided me the opportunity to work with Cisco gears. I got my CCNA/CCNP at this job. I now work as a network engineer in a team of 20, managing a large enterprise network. I'm currently at 75k, and is the youngest, and probably the least experience in the group so I imagine the senior engineer or those with the company for 10-20 years are pulling in close to 6 figures.

paul78

pusher wrote: »

Is there a good thread on career path? For example, how does one becomes an IT Manager? Find a decent company and works there for 10 years? And hope they promote you to IT Manager when the current one leaves?

This is actually a very common thread but nevertheless important thread on TE. It also largely varies by locale and industry. Did you have something specific that you wanted to know? - you will probably get more responses starting a new thread with specific questions. Or if you search this forum - there are numerous examples and varied career paths.

emerald_octane

I just turned 23 but while I was 22 and just graduated w/ a BA I got an offer for $49,000. Granted my area is very high cost of living but that's decent and i'll start petition for more $$$ after I get a few certs. I do a lot however; Windows server, networking of course and heavy (read: difficult) mac integration (full scale AD, Encryption), NAS, Virtualization (desktop and data center), aironet wireless, telecom, on call 24/7, asset management. I've shown that what I do and contribute does match up to the bottom line and I've made calls that have saved the company money (i.e. switching to volume licensing, negotiating lower costs on hosted exchange to the tune of $12,000/yr with better uptime). But its a very laid back gig and I have alot of flexibility . I also had about 4 years of experience from a local school system and a large software development company + MCITP Win Server, just took the CISSP (associate) and working on CCNA next.

tprice5

Everyone wrote: »

I'm trying hard to break the $100k/yr mark before I turn 30, only about 7 months left, I'm not too far off either.

Same here. $60k at 22 currently. $100 by 30 is the goal. Currently plan to augment my income by a combination of teaching online, national guard, and my day job.

MiikeB

24, currently making $180k but its in Afghanistan so its not really a fair comparison.

Before this I was working at a DoD agency making $120k a year, $102k base plus overtime as a Systems Admin. (23)

Before that I worked at a private Biotech for $70k. (22)

Before that I worked for another DoD agency making $92k but I traveled my ass off. (19-21, started at $55k)

My first job out of high school I had A+, Net+ and MCSA and made $30k. (1

I think if you live in an area where you can do DoD work it is a golden ticket, most of these jobs pay at least 20% more than a similar civilian job, and once you have extensive experience in some of the specialized applications/networks that go with it you aren't even going to talk to people offering less than $80k.

If you want more money you just have to be willing to look for it and ask for it. Making $35k/yr now and interviewing for a Sys Ad position in a large IT department? Don't ask for $45k ask for $70k. Sure $10k sounds like a nice raise and I am sure most people would love it, but the reality is not that you only need a $10k raise, its that they are asking you to do a job that is worth $55k-$70k.

People tell me all the time I don't know what I am talking about, so I am prepared to hear it, but I ask those same people who is the one that has the results?

jamesp1983

tprice5 wrote: »

Same here. $60k at 22 currently. $100 by 30 is the goal. Currently plan to augment my income by a combination of teaching online, national guard, and my day job.

That was my goal as well. You're ahead of where I was at 22. I didnt make 60k until I was 24. I'm 28 now and now I'm well over 100k. Keep at it!

healthyboy

there is a huge difference in making 100k in new york and making 100k in alamaba what i wanna know is do you make more than the average person in the area thats what counts, and if you have student loans and stuff.

stlsmoore

healthyboy wrote: »

there is a huge difference in making 100k in new york and making 100k in alamaba what i wanna know is do you make more than the average person in the area thats what counts, and if you have student loans and stuff.

I'm closing in on six fig range at 25 years old in the St. Louis area, which is considered to not have as many IT jobs as other markets. It's possible and really not THAT hard if you put in the work (work smarter) along with being persistent. People think I'm smarter than I really am but I know it's just because I'm willing to keep at it until I get it along with strategically planning my next moves lol. I know exactly where I need to be 3 months from now all the way to 10 years out; so far I'm on track....I think

Devilry

MiikeB wrote: »

24, currently making $180k but its in Afghanistan so its not really a fair comparison.

Before this I was working at a DoD agency making $120k a year, $102k base plus overtime as a Systems Admin. (23)

Before that I worked at a private Biotech for $70k. (22)

Before that I worked for another DoD agency making $92k but I traveled my ass off. (19-21, started at $55k)

My first job out of high school I had A+, Net+ and MCSA and made $30k. (1

I think if you live in an area where you can do DoD work it is a golden ticket, most of these jobs pay at least 20% more than a similar civilian job, and once you have extensive experience in some of the specialized applications/networks that go with it you aren't even going to talk to people offering less than $80k.

If you want more money you just have to be willing to look for it and ask for it. Making $35k/yr now and interviewing for a Sys Ad position in a large IT department? Don't ask for $45k ask for $70k. Sure $10k sounds like a nice raise and I am sure most people would love it, but the reality is not that you only need a $10k raise, its that they are asking you to do a job that is worth $55k-$70k.

People tell me all the time I don't know what I am talking about, so I am prepared to hear it, but I ask those same people who is the one that has the results?

Great post, I wish more folks would have your attitude. When you say previously you worked for DoD agency, does that mean contract or internal government employee?

networker050184

healthyboy wrote: »

there is a huge difference in making 100k in new york and making 100k in alamaba what i wanna know is do you make more than the average person in the area thats what counts, and if you have student loans and stuff.

Exactly! Living in DC $100k is pretty standard. Living in LA (Lower Alabama) it's definitely not.

gadav478

qwertyiop wrote: »

Thats actually true, im 24 and making about 45

Good for you bro. That is where I want to be at 24, I was just saying this last night. I'm not too far off, just bettering my brand to get there.

vCole

vCole wrote: »

Big congrats on that sir!

I plan on certing up this year, learning some new technologies and when I move to my next position I hope to be around $70k-$80k.

Well, an update to this post: my next position has put me over the range listed here. So, mission accomplished.

FloOz

im a recent grad (22) and make low 40s non-exempt

jamesp1983

I'm from DE and cost of living is relatively low here. Median household income here is $53,000.

MiikeB

Devilry wrote: »

Great post, I wish more folks would have your attitude. When you say previously you worked for DoD agency, does that mean contract or internal government employee?

Always contract, at this point in my life I want to chase the dollars and make my own retirement. GS jobs generally pay less and are very stagnant, not to mention the amount of effort required to apply for them. A contractor position that pays $85k will usually be working with GS types that make 50-55k. If you need stability its great, if you have upwardly mobile ambitions GS is not where you want to be.

stlsmoore

gadav478 wrote: »

Good for you bro. That is where I want to be at 24, I was just saying this last night. I'm not too far off, just bettering my brand to get there.

That's a good way to look at it, I consider my self a brand and work as if I'm a business entity

tpatt100

I really hope that IT people starting out don't get the wrong idea about DOD work. The money sounds great I won't lie but there is a reason the work pays a lot. First it's the government so it is recession proof (lol). Second and most importantly is most of the jobs require qualifications NOT available to the general public (from my experience).

I worked in a SOC in the military when deployed to the Middle East, I got DOD work early on as a contractor. The security clearance is very important and usually comes from serving in an MOS that requires it. That alone eliminates 99 percent of the qualified candidates who could do the work if asked.

When that government contract work ends and you are not in an area with a lot of contracts, reality sets in. I know people who got used to the big money and don't understand why the private sector won't pay them 80-100K a year with 5-6 years experience.

Mrock4

Let me first point out I only mention salary figures here for the benefit of those listening- I don't intend for them to sound elitist or anything such.

I'm 25, and literally today- got an offer letter for well over $100k. Around here, $70-80k is pretty standard. I'm a lead engineer where I work, and manage a team of approx 8 engineers. All of my engineers are older than me- some of them twice my age. BUT, we have fantastic working relationships, and I attribute that to the fact that we focus on performance, not age.

I honestly think it depends on the person. One of my engineers (twice my age, again), spends his time finding ways to get out of work, and refuses to commit any time to self-study, or learning new things. Then I have another three engineers (mixed ages, from 'young' to 'old'), who are all "hungry" and work hard every day- not just at their job, but to make themselves better engineers. Since I am the one recommending pay raises, I know first hand, if you try to better yourself, people notice. Guess who got the highest raises on my team? Those who were constantly learning, and teaching others (in addition to doing a good job).

I refuse to believe it's an age thing. You are either motivated, or you aren't. If you are motivated, someone will notice eventually, and your pay will reflect that. If you're not, your pay will also reflect that.

Edited: removed exact salary. Don't mind sharing it, but would rather share it privately.

MiikeB

tpatt100 wrote: »

I really hope that IT people starting out don't get the wrong idea about DOD work. The money sounds great I won't lie but there is a reason the work pays a lot. First it's the government so it is recession proof (lol). Second and most importantly is most of the jobs require qualifications NOT available to the general public (from my experience).

I worked in a SOC in the military when deployed to the Middle East, I got DOD work early on as a contractor. The security clearance is very important and usually comes from serving in an MOS that requires it. That alone eliminates 99 percent of the qualified candidates who could do the work if asked.

When that government contract work ends and you are not in an area with a lot of contracts, reality sets in. I know people who got used to the big money and don't understand why the private sector won't pay them 80-100K a year with 5-6 years experience.

I will agree for jobs that require TS or higher, but a secret isnt very hard to, especially if the position allows interim secrets.

someasiandude

The IT people in my workplace are aged 35+ .... this is in Kentucky derpy derp!

stlsmoore

Mrock4 wrote: »

Let me first point out I only mention salary figures here for the benefit of those listening- I don't intend for them to sound elitist or anything such.

I'm 25, and literally today- got an offer letter for well over $100k. Around here, $70-80k is pretty standard. I'm a lead engineer where I work, and manage a team of approx 8 engineers. All of my engineers are older than me- some of them twice my age. BUT, we have fantastic working relationships, and I attribute that to the fact that we focus on performance, not age.

I honestly think it depends on the person. One of my engineers (twice my age, again), spends his time finding ways to get out of work, and refuses to commit any time to self-study, or learning new things. Then I have another three engineers (mixed ages, from 'young' to 'old'), who are all "hungry" and work hard every day- not just at their job, but to make themselves better engineers. Since I am the one recommending pay raises, I know first hand, if you try to better yourself, people notice. Guess who got the highest raises on my team? Those who were constantly learning, and teaching others (in addition to doing a good job).

I refuse to believe it's an age thing. You are either motivated, or you aren't. If you are motivated, someone will notice eventually, and your pay will reflect that. If you're not, your pay will also reflect that.

Edited: removed exact salary. Don't mind sharing it, but would rather share it privately.

That's pretty wild, lead engineer at age 25, I'm slacking lol.

healthyboy

How did you become this?

Mrock4 wrote: »

Let me first point out I only mention salary figures here for the benefit of those listening- I don't intend for them to sound elitist or anything such.

I'm 25, and literally today- got an offer letter for well over $100k. Around here, $70-80k is pretty standard. I'm a lead engineer where I work, and manage a team of approx 8 engineers. All of my engineers are older than me- some of them twice my age. BUT, we have fantastic working relationships, and I attribute that to the fact that we focus on performance, not age.

I honestly think it depends on the person. One of my engineers (twice my age, again), spends his time finding ways to get out of work, and refuses to commit any time to self-study, or learning new things. Then I have another three engineers (mixed ages, from 'young' to 'old'), who are all "hungry" and work hard every day- not just at their job, but to make themselves better engineers. Since I am the one recommending pay raises, I know first hand, if you try to better yourself, people notice. Guess who got the highest raises on my team? Those who were constantly learning, and teaching others (in addition to doing a good job).

I refuse to believe it's an age thing. You are either motivated, or you aren't. If you are motivated, someone will notice eventually, and your pay will reflect that. If you're not, your pay will also reflect that.

Edited: removed exact salary. Don't mind sharing it, but would rather share it privately.