Average Salaries for MCSE's

[Methodman85]

I'm just wondering what the average Salary range for an MCSE is.
I saw a job posting the other day requiring the MCSE cert, and the salary was only 24000-30000.
You can make more working for best buy's geek squad... I'm guessing this isn't the norm? I hope not!

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by Methodman85

I'm just wondering what the average Salary range for an MCSE is.
I saw a job posting the other day requiring the MCSE cert, and the salary was only 24000-30000.
You can make more working for best buy's geek squad... I'm guessing this isn't the norm? I hope not!

Not sure what Best Buy you live near, but the ones near me don't pay Geek Squad techs anywhere close to 30K.

A certification doesn't enable you to make a certain salary; your experience enables you to make a certain salary, and that salary is dictated entirely by the job. For example, let's say that a network administrator job pays $45K. You could get that job if you have experience administering networks. Without that experience, you might have a tough time getting that job, even if you have the MCSE... because there are plenty of experienced techs out there who are applying for jobs like that.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think that certifications are useless. After all, I wouldn't have left a job administering networks for a job creating certification exams if I didn't believe in certifications. But certifications must accompany the proper amount of real-world experience, or they're not very useful.

What I'm saying is this: getting the MCSE will not automagically enable you to make x-thousand dollars per year.

Regarding the specific job posting you saw... one of two things is happening:
1) The employer doesn't really need an MCSE for the job, but the MCSE buzzword is all he/she knows, so they blindly stick it on the job requirements.
2) The employer really does need an MCSE for the job, and they're offering waaaay less than market value for an experienced network administrator.

[sunn]

What BM said...
Also note, the salary surveys aren't very reliable. There are many people with MCSE certifications, some with lots of experience, some with little to none. Just becuase a survey states a MCSE earns $70K /yr, may not show the whole picture.

The average MCSE earning that salary may have 7-years of experience; works for a well paying industry; and/or has much more knowledge than what the MCSE states (proficient in UNIX, Exchange, Networking, etc...).

The point being, there's more to a salary than just a single certification. Experience counts.

[greenbrucelee]

what they said.

I know someone who is an MCSE and is on 60k a year but he has 10 years experience in managing servers over a multi site environment.

[Crito]

Just like the price for anything else, it depends largely on demand in your particular market.

[Methodman85]

Ah very true guys thanks! I figured that job posting was kind of iffy.

I know there are many other factors you have to consider, experience being a huge one, I just thought the salary listed was kind of low to be asking for an MCSE. And now I know it is.

The BestBuy's in Toronto, Canada. Geek squad employees start at 17 bucks an hour. But they stay at that rate for 2 years with no raises If i'm not mistaken.

And all they need is their A+ and or Experience.

Oops, I guess you guys probably thought I was talking UK currency? Nope Canadian dollars, which is pretty much equal to the US dollar right now

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by Methodman85

The BestBuy's in Toronto, Canada. Geek squad employees start at 17 bucks an hour. But they stay at that rate for 2 years with no raises If i'm not mistaken.

And all they need is their A+ and or Experience.

Wow, that's pretty good money for an entry-level tech!

[ryanthelion84]

Geez! That is good!!

Correct me if I'm wrong....but they are tech support for computers purchased through best buy right? So they kill the odd virus and backup/restore data and attempt to show the old couple who have just been conned into buying a dual core beast how to check their emails...

I'm salary paid, but if you take into account my contracted hours im on £13.80 an hour, and im a app support specialist with 5years industry experience...they earn nearly as much as me! LAME!

[Luddym]

Hey, where can I apply!

I'm on 3rd line support and I'm currently bringing in the staggering fortune of £9.34 an hour.

[ryanthelion84]

Naah! You wouldnt want my job, its full of politics and red tape! I work in Healthcare which explains why the wages are so grossly inflated! Between the Department of Health, the hospital trusts and Cerner the software provider its like looking after a creche full of toddlers! Hence why im using certs to reskill and move out of the industry!

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by ryanthelion84

Geez! That is good!!

Correct me if I'm wrong....but they are tech support for computers purchased through best buy right? So they kill the odd virus and backup/restore data and attempt to show the old couple who have just been conned into buying a dual core beast how to check their emails...

Best Buy will work on any PCs, not just PCs purchased from Best Buy. Whether you purchased from there or not, it's still an hourly rate service.

[sunn]

Originally Posted by Methodman85

The BestBuy's in Toronto, Canada. Geek squad employees start at 17 bucks an hour. But they stay at that rate for 2 years with no raises If i'm not mistaken.

You sure about that? I'm in the Toronto area and had no idea of that. Is it the going rate for all GS staff, or ones with certain background (education / work history / experience)?

[Methodman85]

Yeah tell me about it. It's usually around 10-11 bucks an hour here.
Best Buy's in house service techs start at 10.50 last time I checked. I don't know why their geek squad starts at so much more.

Yup I'm sure about the geek sqaud rate, my lab partner in one of my classes worked as one for 6 months.
Only geek squad though, their regular service techs don't make that much. I guess because geek squad makes house calls, it's a bit more demanding.

[Methodman85]

You also have to work less appealing hours.. Like weekends... since that's when most people buy electronics and are home for you to service them.