Salary range for SPECIALIST I SUPPORT CENTER position

Zfamilybiz

Does anyone know the salary range for a position like this? SPECIALIST I SUPPORT CENTER thanks

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Disgruntled3lf

Going to vary a ton by location. But around me (Cookeville, TN) that is about 30k a year.

TomkoTech

Like Disgruntled said location will vary. Also the size/type of company it is. In Cleveland, Oh most of the ads are for $10-12 an hour for smaller companies. Larger places are looking for more experienced people and paying around $14-15.

pinkydapimp

There is really no way someone is going to be able to answer this based on just a title. Even with the job description it would still be difficult. Ive seen support positions range from minimum wage to 6 figures. You can look on glassdoor and see if they have something listed for that company. Otherwise, i would ask the company themselves.

Zfamilybiz

It's a large company 5000+ employees. It's also a gaming company. Also I know it would be good experience. I was hoping to here a higher salary above that range. Searching for higher salaries but entry level.

pinkydapimp

Zfamilybiz wrote: »

It's a large company 5000+ employees. It's also a gaming company. Also I know it would be good experience. I was hoping to here a higher salary above that range. Searching for higher salaries but entry level.

Focus on the position and skills your going to gain. Once you have a job and built up some skills, then start looking for ways to increase your salary. Its harder to justify a higher salary without experience, certs and/or a CS degree.

tkerber

I was a Support Specialist and I was about $20 an hour. That was over a year ago..

Zfamilybiz

Thank you all for your replies. I do have a AAS degree in Information Technology. I am now working on certifications and B.S in IT for the next 2 years. I also have experience but looking to get more pay because I have a family of 5. Entry level for me is like I never worked with the programs that I would be working with with that company. I've done diagnosing computers for viruses,and software, printer issues and password resets etc. I have searched glassdoor first, lol. No one listed it. I just wanted to get an idea of the range from people on here. Thanks so far. If offered the position I would have some knowledge of salary range from different people and different areas.

srabiee

What is a Support Center Specialist I? Is that the same as Tier 1 phone-based technical support? If so, $12.50 in my area, and they will generally hire anyone who has even minimal desktop technical skills. No degree and no certs required.

If it's something else, please give a thorough job description and list of daily duties. Otherwise this thread is nothing but blind speculation.

Zfamilybiz

It's basically help desk fo the employees of that company.

pinkydapimp

Zfamilybiz wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. I do have a AAS degree in Information Technology. I am now working on certifications and B.S in IT for the next 2 years. I also have experience but looking to get more pay because I have a family of 5. Entry level for me is like I never worked with the programs that I would be working with with that company. I've done diagnosing computers for viruses,and software, printer issues and password resets etc. I have searched glassdoor first, lol. No one listed it. I just wanted to get an idea of the range from people on here. Thanks so far. If offered the position I would have some knowledge of salary range from different people and different areas.

The most important thing to leverage the skills you have to get a high salary is to learn to negotiate and have a strong resume. If you believe you have the skills for that higher salary dont be afraid to ask the salary range early on. But you will need to justify that. If your making 25k and asking for 50k you better be able to back that up.

My suggestions. Post your resume here so that folks can make it better. Read some of the threads about negotiating salary. then send it out all over the place and get that money!!!

Good luck!

TomkoTech

Why dont you post the job description and listed requirements from the ad. That would give a better sense of what that title actually means. If it is literally "help desk" for a gaming company, depending on the area you are going to probably be looking at the average of $12-13 an hour tops. Most of those positions require little in the ways of actual education, and I'm sure there are hoards of gaming kids in the area applying and willing to do it on the cheap.

Zfamilybiz

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Perform troubleshooting measures and assist end users in a variety of activities including but not limited to providing problem resolution, guiding users through troubleshooting procedures, and password resets.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Must be at least 21 years of age.
High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
One (1) year of prior experience in an IT Help Desk/Support Center environment strongly preferred.
ITIL V3 Awareness training preferred.
Must be knowledgeable in basic computer operation and related troubleshooting efforts.
Must be able to type quickly and accurately, preferably at least 50 wpm.
Must have exceptional customer service, communication, and phone etiquette skills.
Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to effectively multi-task.
Must be proficient in various Microsoft Office applications.
Must be able to obtain/maintain any necessary certifications and/or licenses.

TomkoTech

Yeah this isn't going to pay very well. The growth opportunities and fringe benefits may be worth it though.

Zfamilybiz

OK I have an interview for the one I listed above and the following one:

Position Information:
The Support Coordinator supports technical and procedural fist line response in support of internal/external customers via phone or email for products, processes and systems. This position relies on experience and judgment as well as pre-established procedures and instructions to identify, resolve or escalate incidents and changes.

Responsibilities:
Provide work direction to less experienced team members
Participate in the development and maintenance of Support Center procedures
May represent the Support Center in meetings
Prepare service level reports for management
Assist in coordinating the Support Center staff schedules
Provide technical and procedural support to those who report an incident or request a change
Be familiar with technology and understand system functionality to accurately prioritize and escalate issues
Knowledge of company-wide business functions; telecommunications, hardware and software concepts
Interpret a wide variety of symptoms; relying on experience and judgment as well as pre-established procedures and instructions to identify, resolve or escalate incidents and changes
Dispatch support or vendors to resolve system issues
Adapt to changes in technology
Reset system passwords and function as the single point of contact for all technology related requests
Regular and predictable attendance is a condition of employment and is an essential function of the job

Minimum Qualifications:
This position requires three years of experience in technology, customer service and/or help desk support. An associate's degree, technical computer degree or technical certifications are preferred or equivalent work experience.

This position also requires knowledge of company-wide business functions (data security policies and procedures and I/S standards); telecommunications, hardware, and software concepts; complex problem solving techniques; escalation procedures; customer relations skills; verbal and written communication skills.

Note: Must be able to be ON-CALL and must be able to be contacted and respond for emergency duty.

Salary Details:
Hourly Rate: $21.19 - $27.91

Nersesian

In my neck of the woods, folks are shelling out between 45k and 50k for for Tier 1 candidates. Of course, you're going to have to figure out how to live on that so best of luck.

Zfamilybiz

Thanks for the luck everyone! I'm just trying to do my part to help support my family and trying to climb the corporate latter in the process. I am hoping for favor with both. I'm doing everything that I can now to move up in the IT industry.

Danielm7

Zfamilybiz wrote: »

Searching for higher salaries but entry level.

You and everyone else unfortunately. On the plus side, in IT, if you work hard and change jobs you can increase very quickly. There are a number of people here who are probably less than 3 years in but specializing and working their butts off and already making more than people with 10 years of experience.

techfiend

Here are the national averages for help desk analyst/technician
indeed= $36K
salary = $48K
glassdoor = $41K
simplyhired = $56K

Large range there and I'm not sure if they include all tiers. Simplyhired seems unrealistically high. Does anyone have any ideas on these?

Salary.com allows to choose state, experience and education but it doesn't change much.

hustlerb01

dont trust salary sites.

a foot in the door is a foot in the door non the less

Zfamilybiz

14.25 after 90 days and passing training goes to 15.50.

TomkoTech

That's not terrible for entry level work. Do they pay for your certifications or is this in house training? If they do pay for certs are you under a non-compete/have to reimburse if you leave before X amount of time?

techfiend

Bummer salary sites aren't usable. Could this position also be considered support desk analyst? I'm currently deep in the interview process for that position and I'm seeking a suggestion if salary range comes up. It's an entry level, which I think the OP is as well and salary here is a bit above national average but it's a tiny company. Is $15-20 about right? Or should I be more precise at $18-20?

I was planning on asking a little higher than expected to begin with, if counter offer is $15+ take it, if <$15 split down the middle, is this good practice? I'm mainly looking for a livable wage while adding a career starting job to my resume.

tkerber

I find salary sites to not be accurate at all for some positions. Because (for example) a technical analyst at one company may be helpdesk and at another may be more of a systems administrator. I live in the Midwest and the COL is relatively low, and I've never heard of anyone getting even close to 50K for helpdesk unless you're a lead or escalation....

50-60K where I live is a low-mid level Systems Administrator, Network Administrator, etc... I would think you could see anything from $12.50 to almost $20 but anything over would be a lot for helpdesk. To answer techfiends question---have a smaller window but don't go too high. If you ask for too much some companies might just see it as a red flag. For entry level support positions in general I can say that $15-$20 an hour would be average / fair.

MeanDrunkR2D2

That's a downside to an entry level position. They know you need the experience, and they know what the going rate is in your area. If you are in the TC, I'd expect around $15 a hour to be a pretty good starting point. If money is the main factor for you and you worry about being able to make ends meet, you may have to have a temporary solution of having a 2nd job in an unrelated field to help jump that gap s oyou can get the experience you need for a year or two, then jump at a better pay in Desktop/NOC/etc when you feel like you have good knowledge and comfortable. That's the downside to entry level as they know that they are in control as there are many fighting to get that opportunity to break into IT and are able to accept that level of pay or willing to accept lower pay. Lets say their range for the position is 14-16 /hr and if you come in requesting 18-20, they may just pass over you as they aren't willing to pay that much for the position. Just make sure that the range you give them is something you are comfortable taking and accepting and working with while you build up your experience. Like I said, if money is the main factor, a 2nd job to help fill that gap temporarily is a good idea so you get that experience. Being a entry level, you should be able to work around this and will have set days off every week to make it work. May be tough initially, but in the long term it will pay off.

TomkoTech

There are literally a hundred names that can be used. If the job duties/roles are listed and they equate to a help desk position then the title is sort of irrelevant. At least as far as pay is concerned.

As far as a salary range really you need to decide what you are willing to work for. Only you can decide what your time is worth at the entry level stages. If you have zero experience and they offer you a job for $10 an hour are you going to turn it down? What happens the next time you get an offer and it too is $10 an hour? Based on having zero job history and an A+ are you going to turn it down again? You can walk in there saying that $15 an hour is the minimum you will take, but you may very well find these small companies aren't willing to pay more than $12-13. Do you change your minimum at that point?

BradleyHU

Location & type of firm will determine this mostly...

techfiend

If it's a career starter I'd take any salary at this point but also have read not to leave money on the table. Which of these would be most appropriate?

1. Open, Ask what salary do you usually give new hires in this position?
2. $18-20 and bargaining down
3. $15-18, hoping to get at least $15
5. $12-15, hoping to just get the job and salary over with

pinkydapimp

techfiend wrote: »

If it's a career starter I'd take any salary at this point but also have read not to leave money on the table. Which of these would be most appropriate?

1. Open, Ask what salary do you usually give new hires in this position?
2. $18-20 and bargaining down
3. $15-18, hoping to get at least $15
5. $12-15, hoping to just get the job and salary over with

When its your first job, you take what you can get(as long as it is reasonable). Once you have built some skills, then you can truly negotiate your worth. But number 1 would be your starting point.

SouthSeaPirate

I believe the question cannot be answered correctly. Not without adding 'in Las Vegas' to these type questions.
Consider this, I don't even make it's minimum range and I currently manage a team whose abilities are well beyond it's requirements; location is everything.

MeanDrunkR2D2

techfiend wrote: »

If it's a career starter I'd take any salary at this point but also have read not to leave money on the table. Which of these would be most appropriate?

1. Open, Ask what salary do you usually give new hires in this position?
2. $18-20 and bargaining down
3. $15-18, hoping to get at least $15
5. $12-15, hoping to just get the job and salary over with

I would state that your range is market rate for the position requirements. That way you don't sell yourself short. Of course don't make that one of the first things you ask about, and if they ask you, answering market rate is an acceptable answer.. They may ask for a specific range or pay you are looking for. If you give a range, make sure that it's a number you are comfortable with. If you know market rate is between 12-15 a hour for the position, it won't hurt you to say 15-18 an hour. Now, if you are desperate for a job to break in, you can just leave it open and suck it up if it's a lowball offer they give you for the job. If you give a range too high, they'll likely end up putting you aside as they know that you will want the high end of their range (whatever that may be) and not pursue you even if they really like you knowing that you won't be happy with the pay that you do get if it's less than you ask for. Since it is entry level, it sometimes is ok if you leave money on the table because you need that experience prior to getting a better position.. Once you've put in your time and are experienced enough to move forward, then you can be more straight forward with your salary requirements. That is the main place that you'd end up leaving any money on the table.

For me, when I interview for a position, I have a good idea what the range will be for the job and try to put it right in the mid range of that if I am able to figure it out ahead of time. Knowing your area and what the market rates are can make it easier to figure out what to ask for. If it's a desktop position I'm going for, I know what my bottom dollar would be and start slightly ahead of that, and then for the higher end of the range it will usually be what I don't expect to get offered, but it's not ridiculous.

When I lived in DFW, I told them for Sr Desktop positions that I'd be looking at 60k a year and didn't give a range. I did mention that if it's close I would entertain the offer and move forward. I knew what I was making in my current role at the time and for me to move forward and leave them I'm thinking in my head that I need at least a 20% bump in pay to make that move. If they offered me similar to what I was making, I would have turned them down.

In the end they really liked me and were going to send out an offer to me (a strong one I was told) but the position got the axe before they could send it out. The only other person they considered was much more jr than I was, and wanted far less than I'd take, but they still valued the experience and knowledge that I had. It was probably one of the best interviews that I had and I completely knocked it out of the park impressing them all.