average hourly rate for MCSE?

[xchangx]

I'm still in college and will be MCSA soon (over Thanksgiving), and soon after that (maybe Christmas) MCSE. What hourly salery should I ask for? $14/hour? I'm also A+ certified, with lots of experience.

Chang

 

[khtm]

$8/hour

 

[xchangx]

$8? are you serious?

 

[Nitemare]

With work experience (1 yr plus 16/ hour is fair)

With no work experience or less than a year 10-12/ hour

I've got the MCSE, but have 8+ years of work experience...and I am between 20-30/ hour

 

[khtm]

<< $8? are you serious? >>


Yes.

 

[AzAbyss]

I've seen anywhere from $8-9hr to $15-16hr here in Boise, ID. It depends where you are and what kind of practical experience you have under your belt.

Az

 

[ShadowHunter]

I'm an MCP, not MCSE, and I make $7.50

 

[Ellhnas25]

when you guys are talking about work experience, are you talking work experience related to the field? or work experience in general?

 

[Nitemare]

Ohhh... You are in Alabama...yes...8-9 with no work experience sounds reasonable.

 

[vi edit]

Hell, I don't have a single cert, and people are actually thanking me for charging *only* $30 an hour.

 

[Nitemare]

<< when you guys are talking about work experience, are you talking work experience related to the field? or work experience in general? >>



1 1/2 years software support on various OS platforms, primarily UNIX
1 year in network applications testing
2 years tech support
1/2 year building computers from ground up
1/2 year software/hardware testing
1 1/2 years administration and departmental computer guy
2 years trainer on RF mobile devices

and that is just things that I actually report for tax purposes.

 

[DuBobD]

I change $50/hour outside of work on my own business. I am an MCP (Win2k Pro/Server) and make $16/hour right now. When I reach MCSE 1q next year, I have a position slated for $26/hour. I have 5+ years experience.

 

[Slap]

You should easily get $14-16/hr.

 

[goldboyd]

Ummm instead of listing a fairly worthless certification and asking how much you deserve, why don't you list the position you are applying for? I mean if you work at taco bell, you're going to make minimum wage, MCSE or not. On the other hand, maybe you already have your CCIE and 5+ years doing cisco stuff and just added your MCSE you should be asking for 100k+ if you're applying for some kind of senior network engineer position.

 

[Descartes]

It really depends on your abilities. A lot of people will say, "I have lots of experience", and what that means is that they've built machines for their grandmother, built their own machine to play quake, and know how to maybe network a few of their home computers. If you have *real* experience, that is, experience supporting an enterprise, then $16 is a joke. I don't know of a single professional in my area (Tulsa, OK) charging $16/hr. Rates are anywhere from $75/hr-$150/hr. Keep in mind again, that these rates are for serious professionals. Our systems engineers do everything from server builds, exchange configuration, cable runs, router configurations, software configs, ad nauseum.

On the other hand... if you're young, then it will be difficult for you to demand a high rate. If you've never worked in an enterprise, then charging a high rate is no less than thievery, I don't care how many certifications you have, or how much you think you know.

 

[xchangx]

I agree with you. I've built servers and installed and setup networks for various businesses.

Goldboyd: I understand what you're saying, but I found out that the A+ cert actually helped me out with a few jobs. So I wouldn't neccessarily call it useless. If I was applying to Taco Bell, why the heck would I ask this question. Use your head.

 

[LAUST]

It used to be worth a lot of money till Job Councelors *Morons* told everyone to get it cause there wasn't any.. then came "THE FLOOD" I don't even elaborate on my MCSE in my resume now, I point out my 9 years experience I just reached this month actually

 

[cornbread]

Alabama here, no MCSE, less than 1 year industry experience, 15/hr.

 

[Rudee]

The shift in supply vs demand has caused the IT sector to be completely flooded with certified workers. 3 or 4 years ago you could of named your price, now it's a different story. Too many people competing for too few jobs is an advantage to the employer, thus salaries drop. Don't expect much until you've got several years experience under your belt. $8-$12 is about right.

I think the gas station across the street is giving free MSCE certs with every tank of gas purchased.

 

[Nemesis77]

MCSE is a dime-a-dozen certificate, it doesn't really tell much about persons abilities. You do seem to have good experience in the field, so you should get a decent wage, but not because of MCSE, but because of your skills and work-experience.

 

[2canSAM]

I only have MCP in Windows 2000 Professional and Server and A+

First IT job was 13.00/hr
Second IT job 18.00/hr
Third IT job 27.00/hr

BTW I am in Birmingham, AL. Don't waste your time on getting the cert to get a job. Get the job get the experience and prove yourself then get the certs. With A+ go through a Consulting Firm and look for around 12.00-14.00. I liked RHI consulting in Birmingham. Avoid Tek-Systems at all cost. PM if you need any help with any thing.