IT Job Myths Busted: What Is an Average Salary?

comptia salary

This article is part of an IT Career News series called IT Job Myths. These articles break down and explain common misconceptions about a career in IT. Each article will address the myth and explain the truth behind each myth.

Getting a new job is great, right? The butterflies and excitement you feel from being accepted to a new position can make you feel like you’re on cloud nine. But that euphoric feeling can quickly make your stomach drop when you’re surprised with a lower salary offer than you were expecting.

For example, let’s say you were just offered a job as a security administrator. You’ve done your research, so you know that the average salary for a security administrator is $80,000, but you were offered $65,000. You may feel a little defeated and disappointed, but there are some details you should investigate while digesting this information.

What Does Average Salary Mean?

The average salary is a calculation of the salaries reported for a certain job category, location, demographic or other specification. This means that the minimum and maximum salaries that make up the range can vary greatly. The salary data put out by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, is based off wages reported on federal tax forms. But other average salaries may come from self-reported data, like the Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report. So, even though the average salary for a security administrator is $80,000, the actual salary you are offered could be between $40,000 and $120,000, as shown in the table below:

What job can I get with a CompTIA A+?

comptia jobs

What Is A+ Certification?

A+ certification is an entry-level credential designed for those hoping to enter the world of information security. It is backed by CompTIA, one of the most recognized infosec firms in the world. According to CompTIA, “A+ certification validates understanding of the most common hardware and software technologies in business and certifies the skills necessary to support complex IT infrastructures.”

As such, it makes an excellent starting point for those hoping to move up within the world of information security. Note that A+ is vendor neutral, so certificate holders are not tied to one particular software platform, but are certified for their knowledge across this entry-level sector. With that being said, A+ certification is not necessarily right for everyone interested in a career in the IT industry.

What Is the Average A+ Salary?

While A+ certification is an entry-level credential, you’ll find salaries vary greatly depending on a number of different factors. Among those factors are years of experience, the city where you’re employed, the actual job role you fill and even your gender. The average salary for a man with A+ certification ranges from $38,248 to $74,186. However, a woman with A+ certification has an average salary from $38,965 to $68,228. A+ certification holders are primarily male – only 7% of those with A+ certification are women.

What is a desktop support engineer?

desktop support jobs near me

A desktop support engineer's job is to solve the technical problems of a computer user. His/her job is to make the user comfortable, and as the use of computers grows, the positions requiring this expertise will also grow.

This job requires the assembly and installation of desktops, keeping all systems up to date with patches and security fixes, and helping end-users do their job more efficiently.

The other duties of a desktop engineer are training the end-user when new software or IT regulations come to a company, or implementing new strategies and making users comfortable with the technology.

The normal routine is that the software department of the company designs an application that will make the day-to-day operations of the company easier and faster. The other thing a company can do is buy an official enterprise version of the software and let the user work on this. In both of these cases, a team of support engineers will act as a bridge between the users and the new software. They will interact with the users and offer their expertise.

Companies invest a huge amount of money into this, and they want their vision to be achieved. The job of a desktop support engineer is to first get trained, and then train the rest of the users in the company.

One other thing that various multinational companies do is have a meeting for new employees and let them know the various operations of the company. This type of meeting may be called a "New Employees Meeting," "New Employee Training," or "New Employee Discussion," etc. This type of meeting generally consists of each department's representative giving a brief about their operations. As a team member of the desktop support engineers or the IT network department, you might have to give a brief about your department to new employees. This will require good communication skills and a lot of patience.

This job can be complex or relaxed at times. Imagine that suddenly the entire network of computers is down. There should be an immediate and well-informed decision to fix the network. On the other hand, if everything is going smoothly then you would probably be on Facebook.

Likewise, the CEO or MD of the company may have some problem with their laptop. You could be talking and trying to solve the problems of the person who is in the highest position of the company. So, excellent communication skills, along with sound technical knowledge, is a must to constantly thrive and move to higher positions.

To achieve this, you should always update yourself with new technologies and try to improve your software skills.

Jobs

The number of vacancies in this sector is increasing and jobs are growing in an unprecedented way. The positions in this career path are divided into three levels:

• Level 1 (L1)
• Level 2 (L2)
• Level 3 (L3)

L1 is the entry-level position and L3 is the highest level engineer.https://www.fieldengineer.com/skills/comptia-a-plus

L1 (Trainee) engineers will perform basic jobs such as installing operating systems, helping out users, and assembling computers.

L2 (Sr. Desktop Engineer) engineers are involved in keeping the computer network up to date with essential security patches, interacting with various vendors, and performing small tasks on the server.

L3 (System Administrator) engineers are responsible for everything that is related to the computers and the network. They are system administrators with tasks that involve performing tasks on the server and interacting with other departments regarding changes—or if the network is being updated with critical changes.

Since computers are omnipresent, your job could be in any sector. You could be working in retail or a large hospital. Many businesses also call for contracts with large or medium-sized Information Technology companies. Many times, you will be employed by such a company (for example, Wipro) and work for the third-party (for example, Reliance or maybe Maersk).

Many people start in help desk support. After they gain experience and technical certifications they can move to higher positions such as Systems Administrator or System Engineer.

What Jobs Can I Get with a CompTIA A+ Certification

jobs you can get with a+ certification

If you’re just starting in the IT world, getting a CompTIA A+ certification can be a helpful stepping stone in your new career.

In 2016 alone, there were more than 23,500 jobs that required applicants to have the CompTIA A+ certification. When it comes to filling IT jobs, companies go for higher-quality candidates who take their credentialing seriously.

The IT field is no exception, especially with its ever-changing environment.

With a CompTIA A+ certification on your resume, you prove to potential employers you’re interested in adding to your knowledge base.

So, what is CompTIA A+ good for?

• Getting a higher-paying job in IT
• Adding to your IT knowledge base
• Landing your first IT job with no significant prior work experience or IT knowledge

What Can I Do With a CompTIA A+ Certification?

For professionals who are looking to thrive in IT, staying on top of certifications like CompTIA A+ keeps you competitive. IT is always changing, and showing a willingness to learn, grow, and adapt to new technologies helps professionals with career advancement.

When job searching, looking for entry-level job positions like desk and technical support specialists, and PC service technicians is a good place to start.

Here’s a few more areas to consider:

1. Tech Support

IT Support Technician

Salary: $54,000

Ever watch a coworker struggle with trying to fix an office computer? As an IT support technician, your days are filled with helping people ensure their computer operating systems are working properly. IT support technicians also help with the installation and setup of new computer systems. Essentially, your job is to make sure computer systems are online and working all the time.

Job duties may include:

• Assist office personnel with installation and configuration
• Help with daily operations and systems support
• Verify the process of hardware and software components
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues in person, remotely and via phone
• Aid company employees with computer problems
• Plan daily network backup operations

According to Comptia.org, 29.8 percent of CompTIA-certified professionals work in IT help desk careers. Many of IT help desk and support positions do not require a bachelor's degree, only a credible certification like CompTIA A+.

2. IT Field Work

Field Service Technician

Salary: $46,000

This job role is perfect for someone who loves a change of scenery each day. As a field service technician, you will work with different clients each day who may need assistance with computer systems on-site.

Job duties may include:

• Visit a variety of worksites to troubleshoot
• Assist with software installation and configuration
• Answer customer questions about IT support
• Work under general supervision following IT policies and practices
• Run diagnostic tests on software, updates software security, etc.

There’s no shortage of companies that need onsite help with IT support. Telecommunications in particular offer opportunities to be out in the field for 10.2% of CompTIA-certified workers.

3. Cybersecurity

IT Security Technician

Salary: Starting at $47,000

If you enjoy challenging work, a career in cybersecurity is a great way to develop high level IT skills. Many cybersecurity employees help businesses discover where weaknesses are within IT systems. Working against hackers and fixing software vulnerabilities is one of the more exciting and intense areas of this field, especially for those who work for the government.

What kind of job can you get with a CompTIA A+ certification in the USA?

comptia job

With CompTIA A+ certificate one can get entry-level IT jobs like installing, repairing and configuring PCs, or working in technical support positions.

However, the experience is also a factor which influences your job position and salary. Higher experience means higher positions and better salary.

With A+, you can get opportunities to lead as a professional technician in any of the mentioned job roles with a sophisticated starting salary in the USA:

• IT Support Technician
• Help Desk Specialist
• IT Desktop Support Tech
• IT Service Desk Specialist
• IT Support Analyst Desktop Support
• IT Desktop Administrator

CompTIA A+ might only help you acquire entry-level jobs but If you manage to get other higher level CompTIA certifications like Security+ and Network+ you’ll easily get mid to senior level jobs in IT networking and Security. I would recommend you to get the A+ to build a good fundamental base and gradually make your way to higher level CompTIA certifications.

So you are aiming for an entry-level IT job. Do you know what that entails? An IT Help Desk or Tech Support role can be very different depending on the size, structure and culture of the company. Below is a snapshot of three opportunities on the market.

Tier 1 Help Desk/Desktop SupportContract worker employed by Randstad Technologies (IT staffing and recruitment agency) at an enterprise-sized client company with 1,000 or more employees.

Required skill-set, work experience and/or credentials:

• CompTIA A+ to demonstrate knowledge base and ability to "hit the ground running"
• Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) also helpful
• 2-3 years hands-on IT experience (can include internships or work/study)
• Should have experience working in a large enterprise environment
• Should have experience answering on average 50 inbound calls per day
• Good communication skills

Job responsibilities:

• Answer in-bound user calls for support
• Perform any troubleshooting necessary to help resolve user issue and enter the user's problem into the company help desk ticketing/tracking system
• Escalate tickets to tier 2 and tier 3 help desk levels as needed

Possible shifts:

• 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
• 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (4 days on, 3 days off)

Compensation:
$18 to $25 hourly, depending on experience, plus health benefits at discounted rate and access to a 401k plan through Randstad. Also paid overtime.

Work Environment:
Open office desk environment on site with a contracted company. Typically, the help desk worker will be sitting at a desk, in front of a computer, as a member of a helpdesk team. Team members have similar backgrounds and frequently share information and ideas for solving user problems.

Stability:
"There will always be a need and high demand for this type of position," says Kara Mancinelli, senior technical recruiter, Randstad Technologies. "IT is always changing so there will always be help desk environments needed to support those changes."

Networking opportunities:
Beyond immediate teammates, LinkedIn user groups are also a great resource. "I encourage entry-level employees to network, not only within their own company, but also outside their work environment to learn how other companies operate and share best practices," says Mancinelli.

Advancement opportunities:
A Tier 1 Help Desk worker can advance to Tier 2 Help Desk and eventually to Tier 3. In addition, a Help Desk worker can increase specialization — into network engineering or system administration for example.

Training opportunities:
Randstad offers discounted training through New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. Credentials that can benefit help desk employees' career growth include CompTIA A+, Microsoft's MCTS, MCSE and MCSA; and Cisco's CCNA and CCNP.

What jobs can you get with a CompTIA A+ certification?

 jobs with comptia a+

In today’s fast-paced and highly connected tech industry, seeking out the most relevant and useful career insight into the industry can seem like an intimidating task, especially when innovation in the tech field can change the name of the game overnight.Most newcomers coming into the tech field have little to no experience but are desperately seeking the right IT and computer training. The catch 22 is that most hiring managers will only consider candidates who have the proper IT experience. So, what's the best way to get your foot in the door? Certifications. It’s really just that simple! If you are new to IT and want to break into the field but can't find a good way to do it, certifications are the best place to start.

Here are the five best entry-level IT certifications for newcomers:

1. CompTIA A+

The Computing Technology Industry Association (or CompTIA) is a non-profit association that is dedicated to furthering the education and validating experience with its full line of vendor-neutral certification exams. The best IT certification to start with if you are a newcomer is CompTIA's A+ certification. This will be your initial building block.

CompTIA A+ covers the fundamentals of computer technology, installation and configuration of PCs, laptops and related hardware, and basic networking.

CompTIA A+ covers the skills required to install and configure PC operating systems, as well as configuring common features (e.g. network connectivity and email) for mobile operating systems Android and Apple iOS.

The best way to get started is to grab an old desktop PC, open the case and start taking things apart and learning each piece. Begin to figure out what each piece does and where it goes on the motherboard. You'll be ahead of the curve once you set up your A+ certification training class.

2. CompTIA Network+

The Network plus certification is the clear choice for the second best certification for newcomers in the IT industry. While the A+ certification does touch on a few of the physical networking aspects of IT, it doesn't cover it in depth enough to gain the understanding you would need to obtain an entry -level networking job.

If you want the best return on your training investment, and a much better looking resume, you should think of A+ and Network+ as a package deal. Most newcomers will take the combination A+/Network + training in order to save on the individual cost. With both of those certs on paper, your resume will be much strong in a pool of candidates

3. CompTIA Security+

Security plus training is an absolute must for any newcomer to the IT field. There are countless security threats in today's world, so much so that companies pine after a candidate with any security background or certifications. You don't necessarily have to have a CISSP, CASP or CEH training at first but are something you’ll want to look into as you progress in the field. CompTIA Security+ not only ensures that candidates will apply knowledge of security concepts, tools, and procedures to react to security incidents; it ensures that security personnel is anticipating security risks and guarding against them.

CompTIA Security+ certification designates knowledgeable professionals in the field of security, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT. CompTIA Security+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification that demonstrates competency in:

• Network security
• Compliance and operational security
• Threats and vulnerabilities
• Application, data and host security
• Access control and identity management
• Cryptography

This may be the most important certification you, as the IT newcomer could obtain. There are several mistakes that newcomers could make if they don't entirely understand the basics of IT security. On top of that, the government has the DoDD directive 8570 that requires government and contracting personnel to have certain certifications that deal with information assurance and security and CompTIA Security+ is one certification that satisfies the 8570 directive.

4. Cisco CCENT

If you have the Network plus certification under your belt already, or already hold entry-level knowledge of networking, great! Cisco Systems offers the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician or CCENT which dives deeper into networking, specifically focused on Cisco's proprietary hardware and software. To obtain the CCENT certification you have to pass the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 or ICND1 exam. This exam covers everything from installation, operation, and troubleshooting of network devices as well as a few security concepts and the basics of routing and switching.

The CCENT certification will be much more in depth than Network+, but it’s also much more involved. Getting your CCENT and having it on your resume will give you an advantage over the competition, especially if they only have the Network+ certification.

5. Cisco CCNA

Although the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam has no official prerequisites, the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) certification is a great starting point to prepare for the slightly more advanced CCNA certification.

Cisco CCNA assures employers you are able to install, operate and configure enterprise-level switches and routers. CCNA certified individuals can also detect and solve common network problems and have the option of specializing in security, voice or wireless networking.

CCNAs typically have some common key skills, including communication skills, troubleshooting skills, organizational skills, customer service skills, analytical skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Cisco, and the ability to use industry-specific tools. Aside from that, they make a pretty decent median salary as well: In May of 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identified that Network and Computer Systems Administrators earned a median annual salary of $82,200.

Certifications are a great way to validate what you've learned in the classroom, as a newcomer and since IT is and always will be a constantly changing field; IT certifications are the place to start. This should give you a better idea of what to look for in entry-level certifications. Now all you have to do is choose a path and get started!

What job can I get with a CompTIA A+?

comptia jobs

What Is A+ Certification?

A+ certification is an entry-level credential designed for those hoping to enter the world of information security. It is backed by CompTIA, one of the most recognized infosec firms in the world. According to CompTIA, “A+ certification validates understanding of the most common hardware and software technologies in business and certifies the skills necessary to support complex IT infrastructures.”

As such, it makes an excellent starting point for those hoping to move up within the world of information security. Note that A+ is vendor neutral, so certificate holders are not tied to one particular software platform, but are certified for their knowledge across this entry-level sector. With that being said, A+ certification is not necessarily right for everyone interested in a career in the IT industry.

What Is the Average A+ Salary?

While A+ certification is an entry-level credential, you’ll find salaries vary greatly depending on a number of different factors. Among those factors are years of experience, the city where you’re employed, the actual job role you fill and even your gender. The average salary for a man with A+ certification ranges from $38,248 to $74,186. However, a woman with A+ certification has an average salary from $38,965 to $68,228. A+ certification holders are primarily male – only 7% of those with A+ certification are women.

How Much Can I Make with a CompTIA A+ Certification?

comptia a+ salary

IT support offers countless paths to fulfilling jobs and rewarding pay – you determine the direction and, ultimately, how much money you can earn with CompTIA A+. Not everyone has the same reason for getting certified. In general, you can apply your CompTIA A+ certification in these ways:

• Attract the attention of employers with an endorsement of your skills that is respected globally and industrywide
• Position yourself to launch your IT career
• Confirm to yourself that you've mastered the latest skills and concepts that act as the foundation of a career in IT

In all scenarios, CompTIA A+ can serve as a springboard for a career in IT. CompTIA A+ is the only industry-recognized credential with performance-based items to prove IT pros can think on their feet to perform critical IT support tasks in the moment.

It is trusted by employers around the world to identify the go-to person in endpoint and technical support roles. CompTIA A+ is regularly re-invented by IT experts to ensure that it validates the core skills and abilities demanded in the workplace.

Jobs That Require or Benefit from a CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. Jobs like support specialist, field service technician, desktop support analyst and help desk tier 2 support use the skills validated by CompTIA A+ certification.

Furthermore, companies like Intel, Dell, Ricoh, Nissan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and HP all look for CompTIA A+ certification in hiring.

Other CompTIA A+ job titles include the following:

• Service desk analyst
• Technical support specialist
• Field service technician
• Associate network engineer
• Data support technician
• Desktop support administrator
• End-user computing technician
• Help desk technician
• System support specialist

What does A+ salary mean?

a+ salary

There is no legal/official definition for A+ salary. It is a comparative term and it varies across companies and different professions.

• Average salary in Juniper Systems is around 14lac per year. This is one of the highest salary paid in the engineering domain. Hence, it is a A+ salary for the Software engineers in the Market.
• Now it can also be for a particular company. IBM pays around 8 lac per annum. It is the highest salary paid to in IBM. Hence, it is the A+ salary for IBM. But it is not the A+ salary for the market.
• A+ Salary, as it may seem, refers to a certain salary level, most possibly paid to professionals who have an A+ or equivalent certification in IT. The A+ certification was introduced by CompTIA in 1993, and since then has become an industry standard for hiring employees in hardware and network industry. Most big employers like Dell, HP, Lenovo require candidates to have it. I searched for the specific term "A+ salary" on the web but nothing conclusive turned up in the search results. I would like other Quora users to come up with their version.

• Benefits of investing in a CompTIA A+ certification

  • Credibility – the credential is widely recognized and respected; it is a powerful validation of your proficiency.
  • Prerequisite for training programs – a number of corporate and vendor-specific training programs list A+ as a prerequisite.
  • Improved career opportunities – it opens many new doors that boost your career. Many top IT companies, including IBM only hire CompTIA A+ certified service technicians.
  • Increased salary earnings – IT salary surveys show that A+ certification helps increase earnings when compared to non-certified individuals.
  • Higher levels of confidence – A+ certified candidates are more confident when applying for jobs.
  • College credits – CompTIA A+ certification earns you credits in many colleges in addition to other top certification programs offered by Cisco, Microsoft, Certport and Hewlett-Packard.

How Much Does CompTIA A+ Certification Cost?

computer building jobs near me

CompTIA A+ certification plays a key role in the careers of more than one million professionals around the world. It validates relevant skill sets and knowledge of software technologies and hardware. Employers use the credential to select candidates capable of supporting complex information technology (IT) infrastructure.

CompTIA A+ helps both entry-level and experienced professionals gain an advantage over their peers. It is based on industry-wide job task analysis (vendor-neutral). The credential is designed to establish best practices when it comes to security, troubleshooting, and networking on a wide array of devices. It also validates communication skills, which complement technical competency.

Organizations in the public and private sectors trust A+ certified professionals to handle their mobile and cloud technology. The credential is developed and maintained by qualified IT experts and it is compliant with the ISO 17024 standards. Subject matter experts are responsible for developing exam content and they draw insights from industry-wide survey feedback. CompTIA A+ is undoubtedly worth the effort and money.

Benefits of investing in a CompTIA A+ certification

• Credibility – the credential is widely recognized and respected; it is a powerful validation of your proficiency.
• Prerequisite for training programs – a number of corporate and vendor-specific training programs list A+ as a prerequisite.
• Improved career opportunities – it opens many new doors that boost your career. Many top IT companies, including IBM only hire CompTIA A+ certified service technicians.
• Increased salary earnings – IT salary surveys show that A+ certification helps increase earnings when compared to non-certified individuals.
• Higher levels of confidence – A+ certified candidates are more confident when applying for jobs.
• College credits – CompTIA A+ certification earns you credits in many colleges in addition to other top certification programs offered by Cisco, Microsoft, Certport and Hewlett-Packard.

About the CompTIA A+ certification

a+ certification salary

A+ (A Plus) is an entry-level computer certification for PC computer service technicians. The exam is designed to certify the competency of entry-level PC computer service professionals in installing, maintaining, customizing, and operating personal computers. The A+ certification is sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). CompTIA is a large trade group, founded in 1982 and made up of resellers, distributors, and manufacturers. It sets voluntary guidelines dealing with business ethics and professionalism, and is involved with many issues including product returns, warranty claims, and price protection.

Historically, A+ Certification was a lifetime certificate, but as of 2011, the A+ certificate must be renewed every three years by retaking the A+ test. Otherwise, certificate holders must pay a CEU (Continuing Education Units) fee to maintain certification.

The A+ exam contains situational, traditional, and identification types of questions. All of the questions are multiple choice, and there is only one correct answer for each question. The A+ exam is open to anybody, although it is designed to be taken by those with at least six months of job experience as service technicians.

Currently, A+ is the only major non-vendor-specific hardware certification available for IBM-compatible computer systems. Increasingly, many help desk positions as well as service centers are requiring A+ certification or similar experience as a basis for hiring.

CompTIA also sponsors certification for document imaging (Certified Document Imaging Architech [CDIA]) and a network certification exam (Network+). The CompTIA certifications are in general more basic and less product-specific than other certifications, such as Microsoft's MCSE or a Novell CNE.

CompTIA formerly offered a Macintosh module and certificate in the repair and installation of Apple computer systems. This module has been discontinued for several years, and currently the only hardware certification for Macintosh computer systems is available through Apple. For more, see Apple's Training and Certification page.

For more about A+ Certification, visit CompTIA.

You can take the A+ certification exam, as well as exams for many other certifications, at a number of testing centers around the world. To register for an exam via one of these centers, see the Prometric scheduling page.

For more about certifications at IU, see EdCert.

What jobs are in a data center?

data center technician salary google

Google Data Centers are the large data center facilities Google uses to provide their services, which combine large amounts of digital storage (mainly hard drives and solid-state drives), computer nodes organized in aisles of racks, internal and external networking, environmental controls (mainly cooling and dehumidification), and operations software (especially as concerns load balancing and fault tolerance).

There is no official data on how many servers are in Google data centers, but Gartner estimated in a July 2016 report that Google at the time had 2.5 million servers. This number is changing as the company expands capacity and refreshes its hardware.^[1]

As 2018 comes to a close and people start assessing their situations, some people who are data center professionals might consider getting new qualifications or otherwise preparing to fill some of the data center jobs that'll likely be among the most important in 2019. Here are five of them.

1. Data Center Project Manager

A look at the headlines shows that data centers are popping up all over the world, and that trend isn't likely to fade in 2019.

Many well-known companies — Google among them — hire people to oversee data center construction processes. These people must understand how to meet and set expectations, plus have future-oriented mindsets that ensure the new data centers are ready for 2019 and beyond.

It's also likely that data center project managers will be sent to building sites in cities that are gaining momentum as data center hubs. For example, analysts expect that 2019 will be the year Dublin surpasses London as the biggest data center market in Europe.

2. Compliance Officer

The role of a compliance officer is under the umbrella of data center careers that aren't yet well-known, but it's a career that'll become increasingly important as states and countries iron out how to treat different types of data to be in line with the respective laws. This role is especially crucial for people who work in on-premise data centers associated with major companies.

Not being aware of a lack of compliance is not an excuse any business can use to avoid fines or other repercussions. However, bringing a compliance officer on board lets companies proactively steer clear of problems related to improper data handling. Compliance officers can also communicate with the respective bodies that publish the minimum requirements for data center compliance, ensuring facilities stay abreast of updates.

IT compliance is a complex topic that will only become more detailed once states enact laws related to the treatment of data. The rollout of the GDPR happened in May 2018 and forced many companies to change their data storage practices, often by speaking to their data center providers. California will implement data protection measures in 2020, so 2019 is an ideal time for data centers to hire compliance officers.

How much does a IBM Data Center Technician make?

ibm data center technician salary

A Data Center Technician at IBM earns an average of $60,447, ranging from $51,608 at the 25th percentile to $67,923 at the 75th percentile, with top earners (the top 10%) earning more than $76,861. Compensation is derived from fewer than 20 profiles, including base salary, equity and bonus.

What skills do you need at IBM as a(n) Data Center Technician?

Do you meet the bar? Data Center Technicians at IBM tend to know the following skills. Check out individual skills to view our evaluations and insights, along with similar skills and a number of skill building learning opportunities to expand your own potential.

What degrees do IBM Data Center Technicians hold?

There are 9 times more applicants with a Undisclosed Degree than those with a Bachelor's Degree. 90% of applicants have a Undisclosed Degree. 12% have a Bachelor's Degree.

How long have IBM Data Center Technicians worked?

90% employees have 0 to 2 years of experience. 10% have 10 to 20 years of experience.

Data Center Technician Tasks

• Troubleshoot for network, hardware and software problems.
• Maintain hardware and software inventory and maintenance logs.
• Adhere to and update documentation and user guides.
• Support users and escalate problems to ensure customer service.
• Set up, fix, maintain and patch technology in the data center.

What Do Data Center Technicians Do?

what is a data center technician

A data center technician oversees server centers and other centralized banks of computers for data-, cloud-, and information technology-dependent companies. He or she helps ensure that networks stay up and online, that data is accessible, and that the processing and performance speed and power maintains efficiency at all times.

Much of a data center technician's job involves actively monitoring server and network performance and then analyzing this information. The technician determines what areas, if any, are falling below efficiency standards and works to isolate and address them. He or she also performs troubleshooting for customer and client problems as well, seeking to isolate those problems within the server and processing structure.

In most cases, a company expects the technician to be able to perform routine hardware repairs, replacements, and upgrades, as well as upgrade and augment existing hardware while causing minimal, if any, downtime for users and clients. In some cases, data center technicians may be asked to create detailed reports illustrating efficiency bottlenecks and offering upgrade solutions to solve them.

Many companies also use the job title of data center technician for first-line customer support of software, applications, and network services. This job may encompass the areas already discussed, but is typically focused more on individual client and customer problem-solving, and it requires more extensive knowledge of the software applications sold by the employer.

To work as a data center technician, a person typically needs at least an associate's degree in information technology (IT) services or a similar computer-focused disciplines. Additionally, employers look for a variety of network certifications specific to a position and frequently want entry-level help desk experience.

Data Center Technician Tasks

• Troubleshoot for network, hardware and software problems.
• Maintain hardware and software inventory and maintenance logs.
• Adhere to and update documentation and user guides.
• Support users and escalate problems to ensure customer service.
• Set up, fix, maintain and patch technology in the data center.