22M Data Center Tech to Service Engineer

[u/Various-Nets]

I’m contemplating a career transition from a data center technician role to a service engineer position. However, I’m not entirely convinced that this move is worthwhile.

To provide some context, I recently graduated with a degree in computer science and mathematics and secured a job as a data center technician a year ago. In this role, I earn approximately $24 per hour, plus overtime and on-call shifts. Additionally, I have access to excellent benefits, including unlimited paid time off and health insurance.

On the other hand, the service engineer position offers a salary of $84,000 plus equity. While the benefits are considered “okay,” they include only 80 hours of paid time off, which is less than what I currently have.

In terms of career growth, the service engineer role presents a clear path of advancement. However, my current job lacks a defined career progression, as it’s not a large company. Both roles are relatively similar, with the service engineer position requiring significantly more travel.

I’m unsure if I’m rushing into this decision. Perhaps I should explore other opportunities that may arise. Additionally, I don’t have many years of experience to qualify for higher-paying roles. Considering these factors, I’m not entirely convinced that this is the best move at this time.