What do you all think would be a fair wage for a lead tech the has 4-5yrs experince and know how to program urc and c4 systems and has a good knowledge of networking.

18.50 - 24.50 per hour plus all usual benefits of company truck/van, tool allowance, insurance, training, etc.

I'd say that sounds about right. Whether the tech in question is at the lower or higher end of that range would depend on several factors. Particularly their attitude, quality and output of work and willingness to go the extra mile when needed.

I get more than that but have been with the same boss since the infancy of his business 15 years ago and treat it as if it were my own.

Is that for your area? I've heard vegas is fairly inexpensive to live compared to other areas. However, that may make this a pretty good average overall. 

I'm basing that on my area...and averaging areas all over the US where we do work, Chicago being one of them, which I think is where the originator of the thread is from.

As for Vegas being fairly inexpensive...yes and no. We have no State income tax here, sales tax is pretty high at 8.1% for all goods, there are no toll roads, there's always something to do and going on (always costs money), insurance rates are high particularly car insurance, fuel is pretty high (3.50-4.00 per gallon), dining and entertainment can be expensive unless you stay away from the tourist traps but that's where all the good stuff primarily is, shopping seems more expensive to me likely in part due to our location, we are land locked and in the middle of nowhere so getting out of town to go anywhere can be costly, housing rates are lower than prior 5 years but I still don't think you get what you pay for when you look at the quality (lack there of) of construction. I suppose if you plopped yourself down here you could live modestly if you wanted to but it's not easy...forgetting about the fact if you drink/gamble which is available to you everywhere 24/7.

"Program C4". Does this mean you can hand him schematics for an 8 zone audio video + subsystem control... system and he can program it in a timely manner? If so then...



+1

Programming is a huge bottle neck for everyone especially in multi-zone systems. If you already have a guy who can solve this problem for you... pay him well and pray he sticks around.

$18-24/hr.? Wow, I've gotta get this thread in front of my boss! I'm not even on the low end of this range--with 8 years' experience!

I guess it depends largely on the area you are in. I was above that range with the company I worked for last. I was Lead tech and main programmer. I live in a very expensive area where cost of living is substantially higher then in the south or midwest, probably on par with parts of Cali. However, I think the range given is pretty fair for most of the country.

+1 on that lol. Never looked at control 4 but program all the URC, Elan, Niles system we install. Over all though central NY is a pretty crappy region. I often refer to it as the armpit of the country.

The problem with discussions like this is that it really depends upon your market and cost of living. I can assure you that below 15 per hour in Vegas (our primary market) you are practically living in the poor house. 15 per hour in "the armpit of the country" may very well be what your market will support and also allow you to have a decent living. I'd wager that we are charging considerably more for our services here and in the markets we serve than you or your boss are charging. When you bill out at 120-150 per hour you can pay someone 20-30 bucks per hour.