1/6     What would be a reasonable expected salary range for an
        entry-level sys-admin type?  Contracted and/or perma?
        \_ 40$ if you're not very good, but still call your self a sys admin
           \_ That translates to ~$85K/yr.  Pretty high for an entry-level job!
           \_ Entry level sysadmins do not get  $80k a year.  You must be
              talking $40k a year, not $40 an hour.
        \_ Entry level contracting coudl easily be 40/hr if you're not a twit
           and you go to a pass through agency (ie, not taos).  But it doesn't
           have benefits, so might translate close to $65k on annual basis.
           \_ I thought the rule of thumb was $10/hr ~= $10k/yr for contractors.
              \_ No.  Normal rule is yearly salary = 2000 * hourly rate.
                \_ That's just the raw pre-tax, pre-everything amount, though.
                   Just keep in mind that you don't pocket that much each year.
                \_ Also, full timers tend to get much better non-cash benefits
                   than contractors.  You'll have to weigh the value of these
                   benefits vs. more cash as it pertains to your life.  Also,
                   some benefits are never worth it when you can buy them with
                   the higher salary you might make elsewhere.
        \_ Great info.  What contracting agencies do folks reccommend?
                Hall Kinion, EDP, TAC-Temps, etc.  (clearly not Taos)
           \_ Why not Taos?  They never screwed me... -ex Taos Employee
                \_ You signed a contract with Taos?  You got screwed.
                   \_ You sound like a disgruntled ex taos employee.
                        Smart people who have used taos don't seem to have a
                        problem.. Like me.
                        \_ Dummyhead.  You got even more taken than the rest of
                           them.  No, I never worked for Taos.  I got as far as
                           an offer and then snapped out of it and got a real
                           job.  Your error lies in the fact that you think you
                           out smarted Taos or were treated well in some way.
                           I pity you.  -better resume than you, no Taos on it
        \_ I recently accepted an entry-level sysadmin TAOS job for
        \_ I recently accepted an entry-level sysadmin Taos job for
           $70K to start.  From reading the motd, I now feel I got really
           ripped off. True, I am only an Art major, but I had a
           campus job using UNIX and I will learn Pearl soon.
           campus job using UNIX and I will learn Perl soon.  [perl, not pearl]
           I did really well on their online tests.
           When they asked me how much I wanted, I said $70K, thinking
           that I'd work down from there, but they offered me that and
           I already said yes and signed the offer sheet and start in 9
           days. Should I try to renegotiate for more money? Can I
           legally do that? Advice?
           \_ This must be a troll. --dim
                \_ Why?  I got offered the same 70k from Toas with similar
                   experience.
                   \_ [perl, not pearl] is the tip-off to me. --dim
           \_ How many new BMW's have Ric and Alexis bought in the past year?
           \_ You should post your resume with a throw away email address and
              see what offers you get.  In this state, you're an "at will"
              employee.  In non-legalise, this means you can quit at any time
              without penalty and they can fire you at any time without cause.
              "At will" is perfect for employees in the current job shortage
              and will suck if things ever turn around... hmmm... you ever
              think of leaving the tech field and putting that art degree to
              work?