Underpaid in IT?

[kunxeno]

Hi Im 33 this year and have been in IT for about 9 years. Previously doing helpdesk, projects, support, ITMS etc.

Currently im an IT specialist (2years) working for an US MNC reporting to the Asia Pacific manager, and my job scope is handling the Singapore IT infrastruture and secondary person to support offices in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Im now drawing a basic + allowance of $3600 per month.

Company pays AWS every year and variable bounus(depends on company's performance)

Recently i just got my degree of BSc 2nd class upper honours in Business Information Technology from a UK university. The course was 60% sponser by company where i had to sign a 2 year bond (just started to serve the bond currently).

The question is am i underpaid? I was infromed by HR that getting a degree does not earn you a salary adjustment.....

$3600 is a bit too low for US MNC. You can earn similar amount working for local company.

For technical position, you need experience + certifications + degree. HR always try to low-ball your salary if you do not have the above three.

[kunxeno]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

$3600 is a bit too low for US MNC. You can earn similar amount working for local company.

For technical position, you need experience + certifications + degree. HR always try to low-ball your salary if you do not have the above three.

I was from a SI company, thus i have vast experience to setup, cleanup company infrastructure from scratch. I have various certification like MCP, certifited CA etc...but i think you are correct HR trying to low my salary although infront of me act good and friendly to me.

Just saw from some salary guide that my salary range should be 3500min to 5500max. quite sad though.......since day one when i came to this local office i have been clearing up the **** which is in the infracstruture and sadly a so call expriate (Filipino) manager who had been here for 10yrs have not been doing his job properly...and it seems the IT management closes one eye.....this guys is getting like 7k per month....

I gave up working for local companies...

I have been in IT since 2000, took 2 years off to try and run my own business.
So, having only 6 years IT working experience, I joined a software company with about ~$90k as annual salary, working 9-6pm, Mondays - Fridays. No OT... )

I'm 38.

[kunxeno]

wow...7500 thats cool....i wonder when i can earn that number..

Hi, was wondering if anyone knows how much an IT Manager running a small department of 10-15 people at a GLC (Government Linked Company) should be paid? Looks like I may be offered soon and want to know how to react as I haven't needed to look for a job in a long time.

Experience: 20 years in IT at large local firms. Last job was as head of internal IT/systems at a large Singapore company with a staff of 8. Was there for 10 years, but recently retrenched. M.Sc. from local U.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, was wondering if anyone knows how much an IT Manager running a small department of 10-15 people at a GLC (Government Linked Company) should be paid? Looks like I may be offered soon and want to know how to react as I haven't needed to look for a job in a long time.

Experience: 20 years in IT at large local firms. Last job was as head of internal IT/systems at a large Singapore company with a staff of 8. Was there for 10 years, but recently retrenched. M.Sc. from local U.

10-12k per month sounds reasonable

It depends on what is your skillsets & strength... .... Most IT ppl could be classified under
1. Consulting (Different domain - with banking giving most compensation...)
2. Tech (Infras, Apps)
3. PM (Generic skill)
4. Support/Operations

For myself, i stick to financial domain very closely...i being Consultant (3, Aust), VP Prof Svs (2 yrs), now back to being a business consultant(7 yrs in total) ..in the 5 digit range since for a couple of yrs (with a bit of luck)...

the prob is the influx of low-end techies (india,china) & supposedly specialised expats (brits, american, aussies..)... Where do you stand among the them? technical knowledge is a mandate (non only generic ones...u prob need go beyond that - if u are telco, you understand all the telco operations, equities- all the different processes.. u need depth to be valued in the current environment..there is just too many "PM" around) ....
another important aspect is develop more rounded personal skills (can you can hold ground when presenting to a group of clients from different countries, making small talk and building relationship)....

in fact, my current employer used to be my client..

but then different coy has different model..choose the right job

Originally Posted by kunxeno

Hi Im 33 this year and have been in IT for about 9 years. Previously doing helpdesk, projects, support, ITMS etc.

Currently im an IT specialist (2years) working for an US MNC reporting to the Asia Pacific manager, and my job scope is handling the Singapore IT infrastruture and secondary person to support offices in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Im now drawing a basic + allowance of $3600 per month.

Company pays AWS every year and variable bounus(depends on company's performance)

Recently i just got my degree of BSc 2nd class upper honours in Business Information Technology from a UK university. The course was 60% sponser by company where i had to sign a 2 year bond (just started to serve the bond currently).

The question is am i underpaid? I was infromed by HR that getting a degree does not earn you a salary adjustment.....

That is the problem with earned certification while working. The company WILL NOT pay you more for doing your job after you earned your degree/masters/phd.

The only way out is to hang in tight for the 2 year bond completion, thereafter find a job. Unless you can find a higher paying job that can compensate the bond payment, otherwise my advice is for you to stick with the company.

Yes, you are underpaid, an employee with your working experience and qualifications should earn at least SGD 8k per month in my opinion in a MNC but we also have to consider that prior to your degree, your lower qualifications. Of course, there are very good paying MNCs that pays SGD 10k or SGD 12k per month.

Good luck and all the best!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

That is the problem with earned certification while working. The company WILL NOT pay you more for doing your job after you earned your degree/masters/phd.

The only way out is to hang in tight for the 2 year bond completion, thereafter find a job. Unless you can find a higher paying job that can compensate the bond payment, otherwise my advice is for you to stick with the company.

Yes, you are underpaid, an employee with your working experience and qualifications should earn at least SGD 8k per month in my opinion in a MNC but we also have to consider that prior to your degree, your lower qualifications. Of course, there are very good paying MNCs that pays SGD 10k or SGD 12k per month.

Good luck and all the best!

8k to do Tier 1 IT infrastructure support activities? Whatever you are smoking now, you need to stop.