My average starting salary

MickQ

If you're looking at Telco work, try some of the T1 carriers such as Level3. They like EEs.
Don't set your sights on only the US, there can be more money to be made elsewhere. Also, the visa system is pricey and can be a pain.
Speaking of such, you'll be needing money for the visa process, job hunting, immigrating and moving. Keep that and the exchange rate in mind.

Toney_1819

Abdul, also be aware that the guys here are either sharing there persona experience as well as a situation experience by someone they know. But realistically, not too many people have all that you have and are making high-level salaries (above 80--90). It's all about getting that first interview.......since picking the right candidate today is done by software that filter key words, your resume' should get lots of hit, which translates, to numerous interviewing potentials. You have to remember that many times these job ads maps the salary to experience; some interviewers are actually engineers as well and if you have to demonstrate, via a lab, something they require for the position you seeking and you execute it flawlessly.......what do you think? If the salary has a range of 75,000-100,000.....and you awed the interviewers you might start at 90,000. So it all depends on the methods use to get the job. Another thing to consider is trying to get a business license and marketing your skills towards contract work. I'm looking pass the actual work experience you're showing here, you've demonstrated one thing-intelligence!That's your selling point.....getting to contracts worth $65,000 puts you at $130,000 a year. Research companies that have started their business using experience gleaned through working those contracts. You have a lot to offer and shouldn't have a problem making the kinds of money you want. I'm saying all of this because I've evaluated some of the certs you possess-wcet, is extremely difficult to pass!

Drackar

Many positions that I see are for x number of years of experience OR x number of years experience with a degree. 70k seems low to me as well. In my area in Virginia, the certs alone would net someone close to 60k. The Masters degree would increase that number quite a bit. Cost of living does play a role but with a Masters degree, you will get paid more, regardless of experience. If he was interviewing in Virginia, he could expect 80k - 90k. Hell, The government would hire him at a GS-13 with a masters degree. That would be 97k-115k per year if you include locality pay.

Hope that helps.

higherho

RIght out of college I started making 40k with only a 4 year degree and a minor. With your creds you can easily top 40k. When I came down to virginia with 2.3 years full time exp and an additional 2.7 years part time I was able to double my pay.

Obtain great POC's (this matters a lot) and market your skills off well.

Toney_1819

Too many untested statements or assumptions are being made here. A CCNP with just 2-3 years of experience does not necessarily translate into less risk.....what experience does the ccnp with 2-3 of experience makes them less risk? Please take a second look at Adul's credentials.....how many people in this discussion have that. We can't make light of his credentials and we can't make assumption of who this man is orwhat motivates him. Okplaya nudged on it a little, it depends on the individual and I add, it's the value the company who is interviewing thinks the prospective employee credential is to there enterprise. Sometimes its reputation and/or nepotism that gets you that high paying job as well.

Toney_1819

Drakar, I concur with you 100000% I live in VA too and USAjobs advertises jobs in the salary range of 80-130,000 frequently!

sieff

didn't read all the posts on here ... just the original post. but impressive credentials. just don't understand how its only 6months experience. i would say with 10 years experience this guy would be at $160K easily. with 6 months hard to guage. with those companies listed i'd say $75K would be within reach. ISP's generally don't pay that much. may be better to go with financial institution, retail, or enterprise type company.

Zorodzai

Have you considered UAE/Qatar etc ? I am made to understand salaries are good. Within Africa The best bet would be South Africa though salaries will be higher in the Middle East

truckfit

starting salary isnt really important.

It is about the growth.

diggitle

drkat wrote: »

Wow, shows how easy these certs really are without actually doing the job. No offense to the OP, but if there was ever an argument against validity of NP level certifications this is it.

I know its a 2 year old post but, in reality; If people put 40 hrs+ a week time into learning vs playing WOW, bar hopping, or working 3 low wage jobs to pay off debt (300+ per month car lease payment, or the for profit college 50k+ student loan) they would be much better off. Envy isn't the answer, you reap what you sow. And the hasty generalization that a person has to have experience to understand something when there are library's for a reason is very telling.

zxbane

sratakhin wrote: »

How did you get all these certifications with only 6 months of IT experience? Are they real or just "paper"?

This would be my question if I was in a hiring position, I know many of the certifications the OP listed are readily available online from **** sites and with only 6 months of experience in IT I would wonder how else he could pass those certifications without extensive home labbing efforts. I guess I would be interested to hear about that.

Edit - Just noticed this is an old post..