Is 43k base salary enough for entry level IT Desktop Support in Hawaii?

[SweetDelish 38]

$43k is not low. Not for entry level. Not for Desktop support. Not for Hawaii. and its also $43k more than the $0 you have been earning. I suggest you take the job, it might have good career prospects, you could be earning more than your wife in a year or two. if everything else with the job looks good. take it.

[GandK 168]

Hawaii is expensive and the salaries here are lower than country's average.

I just arrived Hawaii a week ago and about to file for AOS. I have a master of science in engineering and to be honest, I would take that job with $43k too. Just to get started with something, especially in Hawaii, it's all about who you know and your network connection rather than your credentials.

Congrats with the job, keep working but also keep your eyes open and networking.

Edited August 17, 2012 by GandK

[dwarf 0]

Hawaii is expensive and the salaries here are lower than country's average.

I just arrived Hawaii a week ago and about to file for AOS. I have a master of science in engineering and to be honest, I would take that job with $43k too. Just to get started with something, especially in Hawaii, it's all about who you know and your network connection rather than your credentials.

Congrats with the job, keep working but also keep your eyes open and networking.

Yeah, I think that's true. I kinda believe that in this state prices are high for commodities, the salaries are not as high as those for the mainland. I'm starting to think of relocating but I have to pick up experiences first along the way.

Is it also true that there are more jobs there compare here, I'm thinking of West coast like California or even Texas?

[dwarf 0]

$43k is not low. Not for entry level. Not for Desktop support. Not for Hawaii. and its also $43k more than the $0 you have been earning. I suggest you take the job, it might have good career prospects, you could be earning more than your wife in a year or two. if everything else with the job looks good. take it.

Yeah,6 months unemployed. Need to dirty up my hands.

[dwarf 0]

It's your first job in a new country. I think you both should be happy. Once you get some more experience, you can get raises and promotions.

That's a decent salary for a recent grad and entry level position. It's around $20 an hour, so you can use that to compare with low income jobs (yours is not low income). Also, you won't be taking home 3500 a month because you'll be paying taxes.

So, I'll say, congratulations!

Thanks. Much of it will be going to apartment rent, utilities, insurance,tax...

Houses/Apartments in mainland(Cali and Texas), are they generally cheaper compare to here in Hawaii?

[heyray 2]

I don't want to sound mean but my 2 cents on this is that you would think that any household would be happy with an extra 43K coming in, especially if your wife is already earning 52K. You would think that earning 95K between you both would make things much much easier regardless of what the cost of living is either at Hawaii or the mainland.

My wife (the USC) does not work and we are currently living with her parents. I am desperate to get my EAD so I can work. I know that you have a degree but it is only a starting point.I am sure bigger and better things will be out there for you. If I could get any job paying me that much I would grab it with both hands. Good luck with your decision.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

$43k is not low. Not for entry level. Not for Desktop support. Not for Hawaii. and its also $43k more than the $0 you have been earning. I suggest you take the job, it might have good career prospects, you could be earning more than your wife in a year or two. if everything else with the job looks good. take it.

Absolutely correct.

OP, remind Madam that we are in a recession and many MBA holders will die to hold that position, trust me I know.

This is the classic looking the gift horse in the mouth.

[BRB 6]

It's your first job in a new country. I think you both should be happy. Once you get some more experience, you can get raises and promotions.

That's a decent salary for a recent grad and entry level position. It's around $20 an hour, so you can use that to compare with low income jobs (yours is not low income). Also, you won't be taking home 3500 a month because you'll be paying taxes.

So, I'll say, congratulations!

With what you and your wife will make that is a good salary. You can start living the American Dream.

[CocoCoco 1]

I worked IT Desktop Support in Washington State and made about $35k about 10 years ago...I'd say it's pretty average for that type of work. Congrats on the offer!

[dwarf 0]

I worked IT Desktop Support in Washington State and made about $35k about 10 years ago...I'd say it's pretty average for that type of work. Congrats on the offer!

yah..that's what im thinking..just average..I dont want to think its LOW...besides I'm just from third country, when they talk DOLLArs its really DOLLARS, you know what I mean.

Edited August 18, 2012 by Peejo

[newbster 4]

I know a lot of people who would be ecstatic to get a 43k salary for an entry level job. It's a good salary. Sure Hawaii is expensive but you have to expect that you will live frugally if you decide to live in Hawaii unless you get great jobs and senior positions.

[Adibingo 0]

I live in Hawaii, but i wana me move in sequence as born wife, in my country i was firefighter now working as a salesman on commission only, rent and food is very expensive and with the money I earn I pay my rent and food, it's very hard to find a job almost is part-time and most paid the $ 8 so that Hawaii is not for me,I work 13 hours a day and earn anywhere from $ 2000 a month, soo 43k is ok

Edited October 5, 2012 by Adibingo

[SBB 74]

Thanks. Much of it will be going to apartment rent, utilities, insurance,tax...

Houses/Apartments in mainland(Cali and Texas), are they generally cheaper compare to here in Hawaii?

Cali is expensive. Texas is cheap (I'm currently living in a 1000 sq ft. place for $750/month and that's actually kinda high because it's in a college town where rentals are unusually expensive.) Buying in this town would be around $150,000 for a decent sized place in a good area.

[GandK 168]

I know a bunch of highly educated professionals who takes a considerable cut in their salary to live in Hawaii.

A lot of people here say that's what it costs to live in paradise.