Reasonable Salary Expectation for Level 2 Support Position

bugzy3188

Hello all,

I have an interview tomorrow for a level 2 Support Specialist (HelpDesk) position in MN. A bit of background, I have been in the field for a year and a half now, started in helpdesk at a very small MSP and worked my way up to field tech/level 2/3 helpdesk which is what I do now. I expect to have my CCNA in Dec. and have a MCITP in Windows 7 support. Based on this information would you say that $50,000 would be too much to ask for should I get in to salary negotiations? I would be happy with $45,000 as I make much less than that now. I realize that the actual salary can be subjective based on many different variables. My real question here is should I ask for more or less? what are the pluses and minuses to each side of the argument (if there are 2 sides). Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Bokeh

It depends on the company and what they feel the position is worth. When I had to look a few months ago, I was seeing T2 positions here in Minneapolis from 29-60k. You would think with the 60k it would be more work, but it seemed the opposite. I saw companies asking for admins @ 30k, others wanting desktop support folks in the mid to high 50s.

Can you give us an idea on the company, what they do, etc?

Ismaeljrp

I would say the larger the company, the better the pay will be relative to the amount of work you'll be doing. A network admin for a small-medium business might earn around 50k, and then you look at a help desk guy working for a hedge fund and he is making the same.

MSP-IT

I've interviewed with roughly 5 recruiters and 3 direct-placement hiring managers in the Twin Cities area this past month. I wouldn't take home less than 47-50k if I were you. Have you talked to a Robert Half recruiter in Bloomington or Minneapolis yet? From all the interviews I've had, the highest paying jobs were from them, at anywhere from 22-26 p/h.

LarryDaMan

Ask for the most money you think they will possibly pay, that way if they negotiate down, you'll still be happy. As long as everyone is in the same general range, it'll all work out. If they say yes too quickly, you probably should have asked for more.