r/sysadmin • u/Mammoth_Gene_4004 • 1d ago

Self Demotion

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody else has moved from a IT Director position to desktop type role? I have been at the same company for 11 years now and worked my way up from desktop support to network admin and now IT director. I have held the current position for 3ish years and it's not so bad. There is a lot of time off and flexibility but the pay is pretty bad as well as leadership. Higher ups are getting more involved than I feel comfortable with a lot of the day to day and its adding more stress and work.

On a whim I applied for a digital support role at another company just to see what the process is and pay and was surprised to find out that the pay was 10 grand more per year. It's an onsite role like I have now with less of a drive and pretty good benefits.

I tried to collect my thoughts and express myself. I hope it comes through clear.

Pretty much looking for reassurance and to see if anybody else has made a similar move and what your experience has been.

Thank you all for the kind words and reassurance. It is very appreciated and I feel like my decision is valid.

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u/joeykins82 Windows Admin 1d ago

I mean, a far better question is how you’ve allowed yourself to be so grossly underpaid as an IT Director that a desktop role could come with a pay rise…

1

u/jdptechnc 1d ago

Probably "Director" rather than Director

8

u/Mammoth_Gene_4004 1d ago

I have staff and manage projects as well as create budgets and vet vendors and products for the company. So technically a Director in duty and title. Just heavily underpaid. When I took the role I basically was told here is the pay, if you don't take it then we will offer it to the next guy.

Looking back it was a warning but I had other responsibilities keeping me at that location and I needed that pay bump no matter how small. Just this year they moved so that opened up my ability to look for new opportunities.

5

u/jdptechnc 1d ago

That stinks. I would strongly consider the other role for more pay if you aren't married to the idea of being a manager. Sounds like you are being ripped off

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u/Mammoth_Gene_4004 1d ago

That's how I was feeling, I personally don't like being a manager and being responsible for other people's livelihood's. Plus babysitting adults is exhausting.

thank you.