Whats realistic pay?

Hey everyone,

I have been working with computers since I was about 10 years old. For the last 10 years, I have been with the cable company, and am currently a Network Operations Center technician.

I want to do more Network Engineering/Actual work on datacenter gear. Currently I have my Bachelors in Computer Information Systems, A+/Net+/CCENT/CCNA, About to test for Server+, LInux+ then hopefully by end of next year be done with CCNP.

What is a realistic job I should look for/pay I should expect with my experience that will get me in a direction to work with gear and make a living at it?

Any guidance?

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Comments

ccnpninja

Hi, doodguy,
Don't expect recruiters to put red carpet for you. Show them you worked hard for those certs. Get a job where you'll be exposed more to networking stuf. You can always ask the recruiter about your job role and job duties.
Even if you get a network admin job, don't expect them to send you to trainings, although some folks out there are that lucky

You usually have to do the studying by yourself. that's not rare, in an IT job.

Wass

doodguy

Hi there. What do you mean by get a job where I'm exposed to more networking? As a NOC Operator, I provide level 1 stuff for core networking like speed/duplex, simple VLAN joins, setting up/verifying policers. I am fine doing self study; all the studying I have done has been self study, so its perfectly fine if they don't want to send me to training.

ptilsen

This question is virtually impossible to answer without knowing where you live. It's still a crapshoot at that point, but at least we can give some kind of range. Also, whether people like it or not, how much you make now is typically an indicator of your future potential.

doodguy

I'm in the tampa, FL area. I ask this question because I make 40k now, but am wondering what I should be asking when I talk with IT recruiters; I am asking for 50-60k, but I don't know if that is a realistic request at this point.

ptilsen

I think it's very reasonable. Now, you will have to sell your experience and skills well on your resume and your interview, but there's no reason you can't be making a jump to $50-$60K. More certs will only help, of course. I wouldn't wait for the CCNP, either, though it could boost you up even more if you have some real experience to back it up.