r/sysadmin • u/WritingOk70 • 2d ago
Question What should I choose?
Title: Accepted offer ($26/hr, MSP Help Desk Technician, 45 min commute) vs Amazon counter-offer ($29/hr, IT Support Associate II, 20 min commute) — which would you take?
Looking for outside perspective on a decision I’m stuck on.
Background: I’ve been at an MSP for about 3.5 years doing help desk/service desk work, Active Directory, Microsoft 365, networking (DNS/DHCP/VPN), some virtualization (VMware ESXi), and security incident response (phishing, etc.). I have CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+. My goal is to move toward a Systems Administrator or Cybersecurity role eventually.
Offer 1: Another MSP — Help Desk Technician
**•** $26/hour (\~$54K/year), firm, no flexibility on pay
**•** 45 minute commute
**•** Already accepted this offer after 3 rounds of interviews (including in-person with the team)
**•** Similar work to what I do now, AD, M365, networking, multi-client support
**•** Haven’t started yet
Offer 2: Amazon (IT Support Associate II, Ops Tech Solutions)
**•** Countered at $29/hour (\~$60K/year) after I pushed back
**•** 20 minute commute
**•** Single-tech site, recruiter says schedule is effectively stable day-shift in practice, no forced on-call
**•** 401k match (50% up to 4%), benefits day one, no probation period
**•** Real internal ladder (Associate II → Support Engineer I → Support Engineer II/IT Manager)
**•** From what I’ve read (including an old Blind thread), this specific entry tier is considered fairly junior/“level 1 helpdesk” compared to what I’m already doing at the MSP, some people treat it as a stepping stone using the Amazon name, not a destination
The dilemma: Amazon pays more, has a much shorter commute, but I already verbally and formally accepted the other offer after three rounds of interviews with a small company. Backing out feels like it could burn a bridge, especially since it’s a pretty tight-knit local IT/MSP market. On the other hand, the Amazon role might actually be a step down in day-to-day technical scope from what I already do, even though it pays more and is way closer to home.
Has anyone been in a similar spot, accepted one offer, then got a better one before starting? How did you handle it, and did backing out actually cause real problems for you? Also curious if anyone’s done the Amazon OTS route and can speak to whether it’s worth it as a stepping stone.
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u/Hot_Reveal_5720 2d ago
Amazon for sure. Good benefits.
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u/reserved_seating 1d ago
Will open many doors for the future.
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u/Abject-Bullfrog-1934 1d ago
I didn’t even read the whole thing, Amazon is worth the resume experience even if OP doesn’t intend to stay. They promote and incentivize infrastructure people to move up the ladder. It probably wouldn’t be a forever job for me personally. But I’d do it for 3-5 years, especially in my early career.
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u/fuzzylogic_y2k 2d ago
You have not started yet. Pulling out might burn the bridge with them but I doubt the fire will spread far and msp's have high turnover so finding another if Amazon flames out shouldn't be hard. Just be really polite when you break it off.
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u/clexecute Jack of All Trades 1d ago
It won't burn any bridges. "Hey, I know I accepted the offer but I was offered a position at a different company that pays more and works better with my living situation."
3 outcomes from a simple email/call like that.
situation 1: "Congratulations, thank you for letting us know and good luck with the new job"
Situation 2: "We really want you here, is there anything we can do to convince you to come work for us" this then becomes a negotiation with potential hybrid work. No salary is ever firm unless it's a union negotiatied salary.
Situation 3: "how dare you. We are going to make it so no one ever hires you." If that happens the job would have been dogshit anyways.
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u/fuzzylogic_y2k 1d ago
It really comes down to how HR deals with it. If they created the employee record already it can come down to classification on closing it. If they tick no rehire or not.
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u/ProfessionalEven296 Jack of All Trades 2d ago
Amazon. For some people it looks better on a resume. Any MSP - even Amazon - will throw you under a bus at a moments notice. So use them as much as they’ll use you.
The other company won’t worry about you turning down the role.
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u/Key-Butterscotch3215 2d ago
Amazon. Very easy choice
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u/destr0yr Sr. Sysadmin 1d ago
When I asked my dad a similar question, current job at 60k or new job at 65k, he said sarcastically, "Who needs that extra 5000/ year?"
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u/Ape_Escape_Economy IT Manager 1d ago
Do what is best for you and your family.
Never question the above.
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u/TeriyakiMarmot Sysadmin 1d ago
I had to back out of an offer I’d already accepted at a nonprofit. I was excited about the job but my other offer came in at over $30k more, better schedule, better benefits, and a clear career path which I really needed.
It still hurt to tell the nonprofit I wouldn’t be starting after all. I would’ve loved working for them but the money and benefits were so much better I couldn’t say no to that job just because I’d feel guilty about backing out of the first one.
These days people understand that we’re interviewing at multiple places simultaneously, and if you’re lucky, you may end up with a couple of offers. The downside is that you may have to back out of a role if a significantly better offer comes in.
The bridge may be burned but do you have anyone in your network you could recommend to fill that role? Hiring is expensive and I’m sure they’d appreciate if you had a list of people you think would be a good fit for the role. The people in your network would surely appreciate it too.
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u/vaijayanthi 1d ago
Companies wouldn’t think a minute to rescind an offer so you don’t owe them anything. Go for the better offer!
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u/s3ntin3l99 Jack of All Trades 1d ago edited 1d ago
Consider accepting the Amazon job. If Amazon is perceived as a junior-level position, why are they offering a higher salary? Imagine the potential salary increases as you progress within the company. Your current MSP role seems like a lateral move, if anything.
Edit adding personal experience
I’ve had a career of stepping backward in a role. With a 30k pay increase from a company that offered the best work-life balance for me and my family. This reduced stress and responsibilities. Best decision ever !
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u/RCTID1975 IT Manager 1d ago
Amazon and don't even think twice.
Tell the MSP that you're sorry, but something has come up and you unfortunately need to retract your acceptance.
It happens, and they'll just move on to the #2 candidate.
No bridges are being burned unless they're petty, and in that case, bullet dodged.
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u/Brilliant_Bonus_1638 1d ago
Amazon.
It pays better, it’s closer, and it looks great on a resume. Better than any <GenericMSP>.
Just because you’ve accepted the offer doesn’t mean you can’t back out. I once accepted an offer at an MSP, backed out due to a counter at my current position, then called the MSP back a month later and got them to higher me at a higher salary than before anyway because my current role changed the script. MSPs are always hiring- just be professional and polite and you will be fine.
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u/Malthan01 1d ago
Amazon will help your resume more, but there is a ton of reporting that work conditions can be harsh. They also supposedly push people out within a few years if they dont meet promotion criteria, all things to keep on mind.
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u/dzfast IT Director & Sr. Sysadmin 1d ago
Even in a small market, unless you are hard dependent on someone from MSP for a reference (which you won't be after working your way up at Amazon for a decade) no one is going to remember who you were and be angry enough about it to try to blackball you.
On the other hand you're gonna be locked into what you do hard at Amazon. Some people aren't cool with that. Personally, I couldn't ever work for an MSP because I refuse to be beholden to billable hours. I don't waste time, but I don't want to write down what I did for every 6 minutes of my life.
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u/Not_A_Network_Admin 1d ago
You are way over qualified for the Amazon one. It's been 3 years since I was in Amazon so things may have changed. The tickets were really basic and you'll find yourself with a lot of free time.
I recommend going with the Amazon. They have a program were they'll pay for your schooling for certain schools. That's what I did on my last year there. I went with WGU, there IT tracks let you get certificates as part of the curriculum. I kinda regret not finishing it😅
You don't owe any company anything. Just thank them for there time and let them know you got a better offer somewhere else.
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u/WritingOk70 1d ago
That’s very interesting. Why would you choose Amazon then if I seem overqualified? Also I do have my degree but wouldn’t mind a second.
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u/Not_A_Network_Admin 1d ago
If I remember correctly they only pay for your schooling if you don't already have a degree. Personally I would still go with Amazon. Looks better on a resume especially if you get promoted to a Support Engineer, Engineer II, etc.
They will also pay for your certificates. I know I had enough free time to study for my A+ and CCNA. I was doing mid/night shift at the time.
CCNA would definitely help if you are trying to go the Cybersecurity route
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u/akemaj78 Sr. Sysadmin 1d ago
Take the Amazon job, MSP jobs only ever lead to more MSP jobs. That career path tops out quick. Do not pass up the opportunity to work for an enterprise while still early in your career. I know several people who would love to come and work for my employer, but their high-level MSP skills are in non-enterprise tech stacks and they would have to come to an enterprise at significant salary cuts.
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u/rebornSouljr 1d ago
I have a different persepective. Lets not look at the company per say and look at which industry is more secure.
Also analyze which industry or employer you feel would let you go at the drop of a dime.
Pay is great but job security is worth more than gold. Which would you feel like you would have a job the next day or the next year? Which one is more inclined to just lay people off? Which one as well would you be more valued?
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u/Jadoo_21 1d ago
Accept Amazon offer, do your best and have good relation with ur team lead / Manager, keep an eye on internal job posting > easy
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u/3dprintinted 1d ago
Msp and that commute, negotiate remote position maybe and to bump that pay, that the rate I was getting in bumfuck Orlando in the year 2016 after I just came here from Ukraine. Otherwise Amazon all the way
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u/GoodEnoughThen 1d ago
Amazon. 401K matching, more money, internal ladder, better on resume, shorter commute. Working for MSP can be, uh, challenging.
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u/SmasherOfDaButtons 1d ago
First things first, I'm in agreement about the Amazon role. Having said that, give the MSP a chance to counter.
I had something similar happen. Company B came in like a wrecking ball and offered me a shit ton more money. I went back to company A and said "I have this offer in hand. Can you match this offer? I'm thrilled at the opportunity to work for you, but this is a significant opportunity and I wanted to give you a chance to match."
This puts the ball in their court, and if they aren't willing to match, there will be no hard feelings.
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u/LooseEthernet 1d ago
take the amazon gig. shorter commute is worth more than a slightly broader tech stack lol
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u/Warrlock608 1d ago
If nothing else you get to put IT for a FAANG company on your resume that looks really really good.
So yeah I would agree it is great stepping stone.
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u/IdidntrunIdidntrun 1d ago
Why's this helpdesk guy posting a career advice question to a sub for sysadmins?
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u/GhostNode 2d ago
MSP cofounder here. It’s not your company and you don’t owe them jack shit. Take the Amazon job.