What should I be looking at?

I know this is a question with a thousand answers but I just wanted some ideas.

I am thinking of looking for a new job, but I don't really know where I place in the big picture. I work for the government so wages are low. And I work in an IT department that has one part time network engineer (me) who started 3 years ago looking at networking and have learnt it all on my own, so I have nothing to compare my self against.

I am half way through my CCNP and really looking for a full on network position. I am not sure where I place in the networking field. In my current position my work ranges from carry some ones printer to a new room, to Planning, designing and configuring networks of 1500+ users.

Any one got any ideas where some one with 3 to 4 years hands on networking experience and CCNP level skills should be looking at for job specs/postition and wage? I know I am well underpaid at the moment, so I want some idea of what I should expect to be getting / doing, I want to make sure I ask for a fair deal in interviews.

Cheers

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Comments

sambuca69

If you want to see what you'd potentially be worth to another employer, you could always just post your resume on Dice or Career Builder and see what kind of responses you get to it.

networker050184

Keep in mind that all experience isn't equal. Three to four years doing the same things over and over on the same network isn't the same as two years of working with a lot of different technologies. It would be really hard to guess what you should be making with out knowing a little more of what you did for that time. If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere in the $50K range depending on area. There are so many factors that come to play though.

DevilWAH

networker050184 wrote: »

Keep in mind that all experience isn't equal. Three to four years doing the same things over and over on the same network isn't the same as two years of working with a lot of different technologies. It would be really hard to guess what you should be making with out knowing a little more of what you did for that time. If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere in the $50K range depending on area. There are so many factors that come to play though.

Sorry UK here, but what is the average wage for working the help desk over there?

laidbackfreak

DW simply put aim as high as you feel comfortable (or if your like me the next step above that) and see what bites.

networker050184

DevilWAH wrote: »

Sorry UK here, but what is the average wage for working the help desk over there?

No idea man. I've never worked on a help desk before. A mid range networking gig will get you something in the $50k range though like I said. If its NYC or LA its going to be a lot more, but if its BFE Alabama it might be less. That's why I hate even trying to guess what someone can make

chmorin

DevilWAH wrote: »

Sorry UK here, but what is the average wage for working the help desk over there?

Generally anywhere between 28-40k, depending on the job.

earweed

chmorin wrote: »

Generally anywhere between 28-40k, depending on the job.

And the location. It usually balances out due to the difference in cost of living.