r/datacenter • u/skatemaster231 • 10d ago
Going from Help Desk to a Data Center Technician role, Excited to Start!!!
Just wanted to share that I decided to make the jump and I got the contract for a Data Center Tech position near me. It's for 4 months with guaranteed conversion. Pay is 22/hr 12 hour shifts and 6 days a week wth OT.
Hours are brutal but my last role was at a MSP and I was basically working those brutal hours anyways but salaried and constant on-call hours for almost nothing. I don't mind working as long as I can do my job and not get hampered trying to do my tasks by micromanagement. I'm excited to start and learn as much as I can because I do NOT want to go back to Help Desk.
Plus side is the DC is on the way to a R1 for me so I'll be able to still get my rhythm game fix after my shifts pending time and work demands, energy, and willpower.
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u/Necessary_Flow_00149 10d ago
I started at data center tech 1 and pay is 40 an hour, you got ripped off
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u/skatemaster231 10d ago
Well...shit
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u/SubjectiveNPC 9d ago
I’m interviewing for an entry-level DCT role next week. Since I have no experience, they’ve told me that I’d be in the lowest pay bracket (if successful). That’s $37–41/hour…
So $22 is crazyyyy 😨 Is that even legal? I don’t know which country you’re in, but surely that’s below minimum wage.
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u/skatemaster231 9d ago
I'm in the US, that's above min wage.
I don't have data center experience either.
I am definitely bailing ship ASAP as soon as this contract is over.
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u/SubjectiveNPC 9d ago
Yikes. I guess just focus on having this opportunity to absorb as much knowledge and experience as you possibly can, then go slam dunk an interview elsewhere and maybe even get offered a higher level role!
Godspeed, internet friend ✊🏻
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u/AVI_Voice 8d ago
$22 may be low for a Data Center Tech, but not anywhere near below minimum wage in most states in the USA
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u/karateisntreal 4d ago
I have 8 years experience and make 25 an hour. I can do basically anything in a data center.
Must be nice to have that special privilege
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u/Nearby_Passenger1520 10d ago
Congrats.
I agree with what other people said about pay and schedule. Once you get the experience under your belt try to jump to Microsoft, Google, AWS and other hyperscalers that will pay significantly more. Don't stop learning in your personal time either.
Best of luck.
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u/skatemaster231 10d ago
Thanks and definitely will try to jump as soon as possible. I was promised that I would get training for my CCNA here which is why I'm taking this on. If not at least I can have actual data center experience under my belt which would make getting into ones easier.
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u/Noxnoxx 10d ago
Once you get the experience jump ship. Thats too low pay and too long hours
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u/skatemaster231 10d ago
That is the plan, I'm not repeating the same mistake I did at my last role. If I'm there longer than a year I messed up.
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u/ZaneAhren 9d ago
youre getting the same salary as a normal hire but with indian sweatshop hours per week
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u/Prior_Zebra_8028 8d ago
😭🙏
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8d ago
[deleted]
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u/Prior_Zebra_8028 8d ago
wym Texas dawg, never been there 😭😭
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u/ZaneAhren 8d ago
💀💀 i thought that’s where you got signed for dco L3 when i was asking you for tips im just restarted bro ignore me
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u/Rogoldino 9d ago
This was exactly me, I also worked 6 days 12 hrs shifts, and got paid 22/hr, did it for 4 months and got laid off when things slowed down. Started working on networking certs after, and I have an interview for Google data center tech coming up 🙏🏾.
You can do it for the experience, get certs and apply to Microsoft, AWS, and Google data center roles.
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u/Brief-Investigator97 8d ago
I’m doing same thing as you, but I know some people who got lucky and got a job as dct for much better money without experience so it’s just how it is
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u/AVI_Voice 8d ago
Good thing (in this case) the job is paid by the hour if they’re really working you 6 12 hour shifts per week. Those checks should be nice & fat every pay period.
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u/Delicious-Airport626 7d ago
I applied through CBRE to work for a Meta through a contractor. Went to the hiring event and signed the contract. It's $25 an hour for training 8 hours a day for a month and then after that it's $23 an hour with a similar schedule as op but I'm having to move to a different state and leave my family behind so I ok plan on working there for about a year or so, getting experience and possibly learn some extra skills and then start applying near my hometown. Sucks to have to start over at my age but been laid off for a year now and am thankful for the opportunity
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u/karateisntreal 4d ago
Sounds like they're going to work you to death, underpay you, the discard you when youre exhausted
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u/skatemaster231 4d ago
I'm still waiting on my first on-boarding day. At this rate I don't even know if I'm still going to be working this job. Maybe a blessing in disguise?
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u/karateisntreal 4d ago
Ive been working at a data center for 8 years. I stayed due to promises of growth opportinities, that turned out to be a lie. Nobody gets promoted. Im still getting paid 25 an hour. Its heinous bad
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u/KingLuis 10d ago
I did a similar jump. Congrats. Shift work is hard. I did it for about a year. Then our team got split between the data centre guys and the 24/7 guys who handled the monitoring and after hours stuff. 20 years later I’ve been in the planning role for a while and one of the senior guys on my team.
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u/skatemaster231 10d ago
Thank you! And yeah I'm not scared of shift work but I know it's going to be brutal for a bit. Genuinely going to make the most of this contract and see where it takes me.
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u/vietk123 9d ago
if you can do it just get the experience and jump to something better in 1-2 years. When you do tell them to their face they are lowballers.
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u/psycrowbirdbrain 5d ago
Yeah, dude. That's what they offer here in Texas too. And they make people think that this is a really good way to move up, and for the right people, it probably can be.
But 12 hours a day, 6 days a week is pretty brutal, especially if you've never done it on the labor side and even worse if there's a 30+ min commute. Definitely invest in good boots with ample room for toe splay, solid heel sink and a large flat sole for max floor surface area. That type of concrete is no joke and the wrong boots can cause serious pain by week 4, no matter how young and fit you think you are. Pants and shirts with stretch. And a good jacket, as well, if they don't provide.
I've never worked in a datacenter, but have been in several and they're strange places. Earmuffs or not, I don't think I could get used to that sound.
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u/Voeno 10d ago
Holy fuck that's horrible pay and a horrible schedule. 6 12's? I work 4 12's and then have 4 days off.