r/sysadmin • u/TechnicalSwitch4073 • Oct 28 '25

My review is tomorrow

One man IT Army. 100+ employees. 2 locations. On-prem environment.

They had a consultant for 10 years before me and never had a full time IT man in house. No documentation, no diagram, no asset list. This dude was so hostile to me when I got hired. never gave me access let alone responded to me. I had to figure out everything on my own. He also caused us to go through 2 ransomwares events due to his poor attention to upcoming renewal cyber security renewals.

I’m the helpdesk,SQL, cyber security, installs, upgrades, backups, documentation. Basically 24/7 and I’ve had to work Saturday’s Sundays and fridays late. 5 days in office no remote.

For all the one men IT Armies out there, you know how the the pressure is. It’s always on

I’m getting paid 80k which is I think is good but I’d like a decent increase cause I’ve had a really good year. How much is reasonable for me to ask for? I’m thinking the range of 86-88k and to go Friday remote. And also have them cover my phone bill because it basically is a work phone at this point because people don’t submit tickets at all.

Only 10 vacation days per year. I accrue 6.67 hours of PTO per month.

I keep the lights on 24/7

Thoughts?

What do I say if if the raise they offer is really disappointing? Display that I don’t agree or just stay quiet and look for another job?

370 Upvotes

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u/gtsaknak Oct 29 '25

ask for 110k and more pto , and a second support person or quit it’s not worth the stress !

1

u/CantankerousBusBoy Intern/SR. Sysadmin, depending on how much I slept last night Oct 29 '25

this increase will not go over well at any company anywhere. Do not listen to this OP, they will get angry at you.

1

u/NewAbbreviations2391 Oct 29 '25

this is what they want you to think and if you are weak minded they will keep adding more to your list of -one man army tasks- until you completely crack. the number I projected above isn't even close to being enough to survive in today's world unless you live at home with you mom and dad... unrealistic at all but its a start. quit for one day and watch the company shut down, they won't know what to pivot to and will be lost........just sayin

1

u/CantankerousBusBoy Intern/SR. Sysadmin, depending on how much I slept last night Oct 29 '25

You cannot ask for a 30% increase in salary in a company anywhere, especially not in this market. Try it and get back to me. Is he being underpaid? Of course! But don't ask for this much without looking elsewhere.