this post was submitted on 21 Nov 2025
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Should I Take a Paycut? Transitioning From HelpDesk (Remote) to IT Technician (Onsite) (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 day ago by ohhmyygott@lemmy.world to c/cs_career_questions@programming.dev
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To preface, I know this is a community is for computer science careers, but I could really use your help here Lemmy! There isn't an active IT career questions community.

Background: I'm a top performer in my current organization in Southern California of 3000+ employees at my helpdesk as a Lead currently making $36/hr. I believe I'm making the highest for my department. I'm known as the go-to person for troubleshooting T1 and T2 issues and assist other IT technical teams when needed. Additionally, I have experience in programming and basic networking. It's hell here... I'm growing more and more insane day by day.

Living: The expenses are very high in my area VHCOL, but I'm a position where I don't rent and don't have to drive since I work remotely, which both save a ton of money. Money isn't a problem, given my current position, but it will be impactful in terms of future savings, retirement, and relationships if I had to spend on driving and eating out. Yes, I know I can make food and bring it to work.

Intentions: I wanted to transition as on-site IT Technician to gain the experience with working hands-on as opposed to working remotely. With this experience, I'm thinking this would help me a bit when trying to transition onto a Systems Admin/Engineering role in the future.

Me Venting: I know I shouldn't compare, but man I've seen so many folks who come work at helpdesk move onto System Admin roles when they have no idea how to use Active Directory or even know how to do basic network troubleshooting. Will those companies be okay?

Situation: I've got an offer at my current organization for on-site IT Technician but it would come with a pay cut and of course I would be spending more money and time out of my day driving. I definitely want the experience because I think it will further my growth, but I'm being told by everyone to not accept and I should never take a pay cut.

My Thoughts: Yes, I can stay working remotely, gather a billion IT certs, build some home labs at home, but will certs really get me to where I want to go? Wouldn't managers just hear that I don't have IT enterprise experience and shove me off for the next guy who has experience at an MSP? I'm a bit lost here. I am grateful for any advice you have to offer. Thank you

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[–] prettybunnys@piefed.social 36 points 1 day ago (1 children)

A pay cut to go onsite sounds bad all around.

[–] ohhmyygott@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago

Thank you prettybunnys

[–] EnsignWashout@startrek.website 15 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago) (1 children)

No. You're restless. But you're asking here because you need someone to tell you to wait for a decent opportunity, which this is not.

Don't take the pay cut.

Don't give up one hour per day to commute.

Don't waste your time and money and health eating lunch away from home.

Keep your ears and eyes open for the right opportunity.

This isn't it. Don't take it. Wait for the right opportunity

[–] ohhmyygott@lemmy.world 2 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

Thank you ensignwashout

[–] Grimy@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Are you looking at a real pay increase if you switch? It's going to cost you to go to work, as well as having less time. Highly depends on the commute as well.

Personally, I'm happier working from home and I wouldn't go back to an onsite job willingly, even with a pay raise.

I get not feeling challenged enough and wanting to move up though. Hard choice to make.

[–] ohhmyygott@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I’m looking at a pay decrease about 7% from where I’m at. $36/hr to $33.48. The commute won’t be as bad as, but it will take about an hour out of my day total.

I love working remotely too. I can work efficiently and stay in my sweats. It’s a huge benefit not going to lie.

It definitely is a tough choice. I’ve stagnated at my position and have learned just about everything my position can learn. The only time I can learn new things are when new projects are implemented or when time allows me to talk to others.

[–] EnsignWashout@startrek.website 9 points 22 hours ago

I’ve stagnated at my position and have learned just about everything my position can learn.

Get a cloud learning subscription and spend an hour every day learning DevOps skills or something. You're in a great spot. You probably don't need to drive an hour every day just to learn something new.

[–] SuperUserDO@piefed.ca 10 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) (1 children)

I'll keep this short and sweet.

The two hardest job interviews in IT are getting into the help desk, and getting out. Assuming you want to climb the ladder (it sounds like you do), does this new role set you up to get out of general help desk type roles or not?

Oh as for certs. One or two is useful if your trying to jump up rungs without experience. That said your get past HR and land with someone like me who won't even spend 20 seconds looking at your certs in the interview.

[–] ohhmyygott@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago

Thank you superuserdo

[–] ulterno@programming.dev 3 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

My expectations would be different from yours, but here's what I am doing:

  • I left an ok-ish paying in-office job, to WFH for an hourly rate, with a reduction relative to the hourly rate calculated from the previous CTC
    • As a result, the company only paid me for the time they required me and I got quite a low amount per month
    • I haven't gotten sick even once in the past year, when previously I had to take unpaid leaves 2 days or more in a week to prevent my sickness from getting worse

In your case, I might have been willing to take a pay cut in the opposite direction, but never the way you are doing.

When it comes to experience vs certs, while it depends upon your area, trends change and one can't say for sure, which is better.
If you can find a cert that is reputed, that would end up being better. And perhaps you could get the same opportunity after getting those certs, but with an payment increase instead of a reduction.

[–] ohhmyygott@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago

Thank you ulterno. I’m glad to hear you’re doing better too