[ale] pay rates vs. experience

[Lightner, Jeff]

On the most recent posting on the Ale jobs list I had to laugh when I saw a pay range of 65k-75k for everything THAT job entailed such as SAN administration, managing 5000 domains in BIND just to name a couple.   Even funnier was that it was 6 months CTP – Really?  They can’t figure out whether someone is worthwhile in 3 months?   True you don’t really get fully up to speed in a new complex environment in less than 6 months but it should be obvious long before that whether you are CAPABLE of getting up to speed or not.






________________________________
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Jim Kinney
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 10:44 PM
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts - Yes! We run Linux!
Subject: [ale] pay rates vs. experience

One of the things I see as the admin for the list is the postings for the ale-jobs list before everyone else. I've never rejected a posting for having a crappy pay rate and never will.

BUT....

Given the state of things, economy, growth in demand for Linux skills, number of qualified admins in the field, etc., maybe it's time for a knock-down, drag out discussion on pay vs. experience.

The last time I saw a usix pay chart was probably 2005. At that time a RedHat EL admin wiiht a solid 5 years experience on the job was worth an average $80k/yr with decent benefitsw (company health insurance, retirement fund other than stock options, dental, etc).

Windows admins with 5 years were around $65k.

Solaris with 5 years got $90k.
IRIX admins were looking for a new OS to use.

Oracle DBA with 5 years could grab $95k anywhere.

Any professional certification added 5-10k to the above. Thos numbers were nation-wide averages so no are specific cost of living differentials.

Atlanta is cheaper than LA or New York and has a large and growing IT presence and a similar demand for Linux skills.

Lately, I've seen startups pay more but the risk is higher. Lower risk jobs pay less but the check always clears the bank. I recently took a lower pay job than I'm accustomed to just for the lower risk of short-term with a large corp. I have "stuff to do" that scratches some of my geek itches but leaves many untouched.

Is the current economy eating admin pay grades? I didn't take my current position because i wanted the main job function. I took for purely "gotta eat and pay bills" reasons (sell out but not starving does cause me some sleepless nights - then I go get something to eat and forget about it).

--
--
James P. Kinney III

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- 2011 Noam Chomsky

http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/





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