JCI Salary info

[ab8349]

I'm considering a Sr. Controls Tech job, and the salary grade is 55, any JCI guys want to translate that for me?

[mationman]

The pay grades are huuuuuge. I'd say anywhere from $24-$32 an hour. I am pay grade 51 (System Tech) and I make $19 an hour. From what I hear, they can offer you a higher wage but don't expect many raises- maybe 2% every other year.

[mackinaw]

Are you considering a job that has not been offered? Pay grade 55 is one grade higher than a 54. Not trying to be smart but the dollars that go with a particular grade vary by geographic location. I personally would not consider a job based on pay grade. If they are serious, they will offer a dollar amount. If you act too interested based on a pay grade number, JCI will low ball you at the finish line. Get everything in writing. I cannot speak for mationman but I have received a raise every year. Some years better than others, but every year. Not 2% every other year.

[controlgeek]

Not trying to be smart but the dollars that go with a particular grade vary by geographic location.

Paygrades are the same nationwide with geographic additions or subtractions that range from 80% of grade to 120% of grade. I forget their name for it but tables are issued to managers each year with current rates along with the secret handshake and agreement to never divulge tables. Pay ranges for each paygrade are setup with the following breakpoints:

MIN
1/3
MID
2/3
MAX

In leadership class payroll comes in and brainwashes managers that their direct reports should always be in the lower 1/3 of pay range. Their selling point being if a person is really good enough to be at the upper end they should be getting promoted even if it means forcing someone into a job they do not want.

Many if not all paygrades overlap a good bit. They could say your a 55 and a 54 could be making more than you.

Get everything in writing. If it isn't in writing it was never agreed to. You have the most leverage right now.

[ab8349]

I was contacted by JCI, and sent a description of the job which included the salary grade. I know what amount it would take for me to accept the position, but was just wondering what that grade would encompass, approximately.

[mackinaw]

"I know what amount it would take for me to accept the position, but was just wondering what that grade would encompass, approximately."



The answer to that question will be on the offer letter, controlgeek said it pretty well.

Personally I feel JCI is a good place to work, so take all the bashing with a grain of salt. Good Luck....

[twisted pair]

Their pay is well below industry average, look at IndyBlue.

Don't believe me, just look at his SOCKS

[simsd]

When I was younger I got totally effed (in sales) by JCI at three different branches. Once I went out into the real world, I realized how lousy they pay.

I recently had a friend move from California to Maryland. He was extremely qualified on JCI as he had been doing ASC's and NAE's. I told exactly what would happen. I told they will make you go through a series of interviews until your sick of them. Then, after all of that they will low ball you. I told him to talk money at the first interview (we're not newbies here and don't have time to dick around). He had a phone interview with two branches, and then went to a face to face. After the face to he got a call and they talked money. He was pissed as they low balled him just like I told him they would. So you know what he did? Nothing! He did some freelance work and then moved back to SoCal.

So if you're a newbie or in a jam, take it. If not move on.

[twisted pair]

Did you say LOWBALL, they lowballed his salary thats funny they LOWBALL estimates as well.

Don't believe me, Just check there proposals!!!!!!!

[mackinaw]

"Don't believe me, just look at his SOCKS"

That's funny....good one.

[twisted pair]

Nothing personal mackinaw, I know you work for JCI. This crap is because CindyLu has a big mouth and likes to insult people he does not know. He insults products, contractors, trades people etc..

I have several friends at JCI. I do not know you and would not think of insulting you.

But that jerk will be sorry he crossed my line. Cause I am relentless. Now I will work harder to GUT Metasys systems (when in my clients best interest) , though lately they are coming to me at an unbelievable rate. Maybe they are tired of dealing with LOW PAID rejects like Indy.

Don't believe me, Just look at my attitude!!!!!!

[mackinaw]

twisted pair, no offense taken....I just about spit soda on my screen when I read "Don't believe me, just look at his socks". I've followed the threads and his signature is too much for me also.

[twisted pair]

I have nothing at all against JCI. For the 100th time, they make a good control system, great peripheral products and have trained 3/4 of the control work force.

I have interviewed twice in last 10 years with them. 10 years ago as a DDC tech/programmer and not that long ago for service sales position. Seriously every time there base pay is no where even close to what most people are seeing.

I really do not like Indies negative comments like calling people hackers. I am no hacker. I take some serious pride in my work. I have lost money on jobs just to ensure my customers are happy (relatively happy). It is not a clients fault if I under estimate a job, or my product has a "software bug" etc.. That is why I do not have my systems replaced by competition. I have long term relationships. I have some systems we are doing a 3rd round of software upgrades from the original DOS system. Repeat business, something JCI cannot claim that much of.

I spend probably an hour of my day here trying to help others (knowing eventually I will need it) and I think most others are in the same boat.

And then you get this nut job bashing everyone on this site. He has some issues. Again, nothing personal and nothing against JCI.

[simsd]

You know guys, in the grand scheme of things, many of the JCI people are okay. Even Indy Blue is probably okay, as I told you he is probably putting us all on.

But it's like everything else in life - married, kids, bills, security etc. Going independent or with another firm get scarier as time marches on. I was preparing to go on my own when the firm I was with decided to get out of the new construction controls market. We parted on good terms but now I was in a "do or die" position. For many people, the insecurity is hard to take. Many times people stay for so long that the "grass is greener on the other side" doesn't look so green after a while. The only thing that does crack me up is when people leave and go to Siemens and vice versa - talk about trading four quarters for a dollar.

Most of the guys at JCI don't want to do the things they have to, to the customer, but then again it is a corporation. Remember, outside shareholders don't care if you're selling controls or bananas. The bottom line is dividends. Everyone is under pressure to perform.

I do remember one thing though... I remember back in 1992 or 93 going on this outrageous JCI trip in Acapulco. It was so over the top couldn't believe it. I remember thinking to myself how much I could have use the money instead of the trip. And this was a 5 star resort (The Princess) that charged U.S. prices for everything. That whole trip left a sour taste in my mouth - especially when I thought about the wasted money.

[twisted pair]

simsd,

You are right. There are many good and very competent people at JCI. BUT NOT IndyBlue. He is a useless 40K a year waste of a position. Maybe a little (okay ALOT) arrogant also.

No need to bash people or products you don't even know. Calling people hackers and butchers. I am not going waste any more time talking about that guy. I know part of his frustration is he probably works 60+ hours a week and when you break down his base salary of 40K, well you get the picture.


DONT BELIEVE ME, JUST LOOK AT HIS SOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[itservices2]

I was offered a controls tech job with JCI I think it is the installation Dept.

I am worried to leave my job, JCI told me\
there is some overtime and that the work is year round

I am very parnoid about that

They told me they are short on manpower

Is it a good company to work for, and what can I expect

[simsd]

From your id name...are you a computer person?

[itservices2]

I can turn the computer on and off

In my company that is a plus, i correct problems for the crews laptops

Much of our lighting equipment is operated by Johnson Controls digital

controllers.


One of my duties is to constantly change
lighting schedules around as per request and often reprogramm

the DX-9100 controllers

I said to myself I wouldn,t mind doing the controls thing all the time

We are also very short handed at the company I work for
They do everything from HVAC to lighting

I am a liitle afraid to jump ship
I heard good and bad but i am really looking for security

[simsd]

How secure are you where you are?

Are you an HVAC mechanic?

What's your background?

Could you go back if you left?

Age? (sorry - but it helps with answering you)

[itservices2]

I am 50 years old and probabaly coulld not return

It is very secure here lots of job security

I feel I would have more opportunity at JCI ????

I can do some refrigeration also

[simsd]

Is there any opportunity to expand your controls knowledge and work where you are? How about a controls division?

[itservices2]

Do you work for JCI ?

Are you saying I am better off where I am?

[simux]

My experience with JCI is that they try to pay you the least amount of money to continue working for them. So they tend to start you at a very low salary. Then they tell you their hands are tied on pay raises. What usually happens next is another control company puts more money on the table. Then JCI refuses to match the offer and spends twice as much money to train the next technician. Then you get to hear how JCI's better off without that person anyway. Meanwhile the new Tech is taking twice as long and hosing everything up. Got to stay off that Blue Koolaid"

[simsd]

I used to work for JCI in the sales and energy engineering end. I left a few years back and movers to California.

As far as the DX's go, do you do the GPL with relay logic etc?

Forgive me if I sound condescending but it sounds like you manipulate schedules. Do you do more than that? Please it's only a question so I can understand your vulnerability if you went to JCI.

[itservices2]

Why did yo leave , and just not transfer ?

Are you saying that my treatment at JCI

will be based mostly on my understanding of

the graphical programming language?

Where I am now, your rewards are based mostly on how

well you earn and how you get along with others, with politics being second.

I guess JCI is a different world??

I guess by not answering my question directly, you are telling

me what life at JCI is

[simsd]

Not answering your question directly - about staying where you are? I don't want you to give up an opportunity if it's a good one. I guess maybe, I should ask you - what exactly do you do now? If you deal with control systems then JCI might be good. Have they said exactly what they want you to do?

As for why didn't I transfer? Believe me I tried. But you have to go through your manager. And I had a conflict with him. Nobody ever moved up through him. You either left or you stayed in the same position forever.

When I interviewed with the other branches all they did was dick me around. It all depends what your goals are.