How much should you be earning as a NetSuite Admin?

We’ve teamed up with the NetSuite Solution Provider Trajectory Inc, to work on a series of articles based on the life of a NetSuite Admin. Check out their article: NetSuite CSV import | ERP data migration process

But first, let’s dive into today’s topic: what should you be earning as a NetSuite admin?

The NetSuite Admin series so far:

1. The roles and responsibilities of a NetSuite Admin 
2. NetSuite tools – the SuiteCloud platform 
3. NetSuite OneWorld – an Admin guide
4. Retraining as a NetSuite Admin: 4 things you need to know 
5. 6 secrets to climbing the NetSuite career ladder 
6. Quote to cash | order management system 
7. 8 must-have NetSuite apps for a happier team
8. 9 steps to a NetSuite implementation team

The worth of a NetSuite admin in the market

There is a lot of hearsay across Reddit about job security for NetSuite professionals, especially for NetSuite Admins. A lot of professionals in the NetSuite Reddit community suggest doubling up on your skills by training in other software like Salesforce or Microsoft. While we always recommend regularly updating your skillset and pursuing a career as a lifelong learner, we also suggest you understand the worth of your job role in the market before jumping the boat to another tech vertical.

There is a range of benefits to understanding the value of your job role in the market. Firstly, it can identify the shape of technology. If the demand for your tech is healthy, then you, as a specialist, can determine the security of your job and the fate of your career in that niche market.

Secondly, you can utilize market insights to benchmark your overall compensation package with that of your colleagues in the tech ecosystem. In doing so, you can assess whether it’s time to renegotiate your current package with your employer or bite the bullet and find a more rewarding job in another company.

Among those who expect to leave their employer within the next year, 51% said that the main motivating factor would be a lack of earnings increase, followed by a lack of career progression (42%) and lack of leadership and vision (26%).

51% of NetSuite professionals leave their job due to a lack of salary increase

Learn more about switching NetSuite roles with our free market report.

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Data-driven facts on the current state of the NetSuite Admin role

In our recent market report, we learned there was a 76% increase in NetSuite projects over the last 12 months and an 18% rise in the average US salary for the NetSuite Admin role over the previous two years.

We also discovered that NetSuite’s ERP software-  — the top product for NetSuite admins — is still the most utilized module in the ecosystem.

What should you be earning as a NetSuite Admin at every level?

In this section, we’ll be analyzing the job requirements and average salary of a junior, mid-level, and senior NetSuite Admin.

Earning as a Junior-level NetSuite admin

In our 2019 survey, 28% of our respondents were from a junior-level role. Within the study, we learned the average work experience required for a junior-level role was between 0–2 years, with a salary ranging from $62,00–$98,00 depending on experience and location.

To expand on our findings, we analyzed a current junior-level NetSuite Admin job spec on our job board, identified what today’s employers are looking for in a candidate, and put together a summary for you below. Bear in mind this is an average summary, and some roles may vary depending on the job at hand.

Requirements

• Assisting with the optimization of the client’s NetSuite platform.
• Has the ability to utilize the NetSuite ERP as a NetSuite Administrator.
• Strong experience with generating reports, custom reporting, and functional accounting experience.
• NetSuite integration experience.
• Perform day-to-day operation, maintenance, and support tasks for all NetSuite applications.
• Write standard and complex queries to support projects and approve reporting requests.
• Can demonstrate knowledge of how ERP systems integrate within NetSuite.
• Demonstrate proficiency in MS Excel.
• Has excellent analytical, problem solving & troubleshooting skillset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Earning as a Mid-level Netsuite admin

In our 2019 survey, 51% of our respondents were from a mid-level role. Within the study, we learned the average work experience required for a mid-level position was between 3–6 years, with a salary ranging from $79,00–$139,500 depending on experience and location.

To expand on our findings, we analyzed a mid-level NetSuite Admin job spec on our job board, identified what today’s employers are looking for in a candidate, and put together a summary for you below. Bear in mind this is an average summary, and some roles may vary depending on the job at hand.

Requirements

• Everything from junior-level.
• The ideal candidate would be a progressive administrator who can work on-site and oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the IT department.
• Oversee processes, configure, and maintain the NetSuite dashboard.
• Can lead and facilitate a team that is capable of supporting multiple integrations across enterprise.
• Monitor systems and resolve critical integration problems as the NetSuite Administrator.
• Complete and maintain a Full Life Cycle NetSuite Implementation.
• Serving as point of contact for all NetSuite duties and troubleshooting.
• Support the NetSuite ERP system and other related 3rd party business applications.
• Develop, document, and implement user training.
• Previous NetSuite Administrator experience.
• Can demonstrate excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate you can work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Earning as a Senior-level NetSuite admin

In our 2019 survey, 21% of our respondents were from a senior-level role. Within the study, we learned the average work experience required for a senior-level position was between 7+ years, with a salary ranging from $105,000–$155,000 depending on experience and location.

To expand on our findings, we analyzed a current senior-level NetSuite admin job spec on our job board, identified what today’s employers are looking for in a candidate, and put together a summary for you below. Bear in mind this is an average summary, and some roles may vary depending on the job at hand.

Requirements

• Everything from junior to mid-level.
• You can lead the continuous improvement to back-end development and implementation of NetSuite as well as all integrated systems.
• Can create and edit scripts in SuiteScript 1.0 & 2.0.
• Can implement and deploy NetSuite solutions following business requirements.
• Build, develop, and test detailed functional designs and customizations for business solutions.
• Can provide ongoing post-implementation support as the NetSuite Administrator.
• Can provide NetSuite consulting expertise utilizing industry experience, business analysis, and best practices.
• Has the ability to drive testing, planning, execution, and optimization support.
• Has certified NetSuite Administrator experience on a full life-cycle implementation.
• Has an understanding of the NetSuite stack and all NetSuite Advanced Modules.
• Has a working knowledge of SuiteScript, SuiteTalk, SuiteFlow, CSV imports, user. provisioning, defining roles, analytics, and dashboards.
• Strong data analytics, reporting, and database experience.
• Ability to balance technical skills with business acumen, with a further ability to transform end-user needs/functional requirements into technical ones.

Common employee benefits in the NetSuite industry

When asked about their salary satisfaction, 62% of our survey respondents stated they were satisfied with their current income, leaving a further 38% feeling displeased with their existing salary.

As much as it’s great to bring home a large pay package every month, there are other elements to consider when it comes to measuring your earnings worth in your current company as a NetSuite Admin. Within our survey, the most common pay package perks included a company laptop, health insurance, and a dental plan; other components may consist of a 401K, social event, paid time off, and flexi-time.

If you are dissatisfied with your earnings but don’t want to move companies, arrange a one-to-one meeting with your manager to discuss improving your current compensation package.

There is a chance they may shoot down your request for an increase in salary, as it’s possible they don’t have room in the budget. Nevertheless, there are perks you can negotiate that will reflect the value on your skills, without breaking the bank for your employer — the most popular option is remote working.

Our survey demonstrated a 49% increase in companies providing home working as an option for their employees, with 55% of our respondents listing it as one of the benefits that they receive in their compensation package.

Will moving NetSuite roles affect my salary?

Another common question in the NetSuite Reddit community is the benefit of changing roles within the NetSuite ecosystem. As mentioned above, it’s always good to expand on your skillset, however, you need to ensure you’re expanding your skills to move forward in your career and not backward, as some position in the ecosystem can be more advanced than others.

Below we have broken down other NetSuite roles that are similar to a NetSuite Admin and compared the salaries.

Business Analyst to NetSuite Admin

A junior-level business analyst salary has proven to be the same or greater than a junior-level admin wage, depending on the location of the role. However, once you get to mid- to senior-level, an admin is more likely to earn on average $10,000 to $15,000 more than a business analyst

Accountant to NetSuite Admin

A NetSuite Administrator’s job is a higher paying opportunity across the levels, with a slight jump in salary at a junior-level and an even more substantial increase of $40,000 in the mid- and senior-level opportunities.

NetSuite Admin to Developer

A junior-level developer’s salary is demonstrating on average 12% higher than you would earn as a junior-level NetSuite Administrator. Nevertheless, as both career levels progress into mid and seniors levels, the average salary for an admin and a developer becomes more balanced — there’s only an average of a 1% difference in salaries depending on the role, experience, and location.

NetSuite Admin to Consultant

Across all levels, a consultant earns a significantly higher salary than an administrator, with functional consultants earning an average of a 15% higher salary, and a functional consultant earning an average of 25% more.

The best locations to work as a NetSuite administrator

If you’re an existing NetSuite Admin, you will know that a job can entail a lot of traveling – especially if you’re a freelance administrator. But as we’ve stipulated throughout the article, location can have a major impact on your career as a NetSuite professional, and the idea of relocating could actually be a huge stepping stone for your career.

In our survey, 57% of respondents said they would consider relocating to another city or country for work, with the top three incentives being monetary reasons, better career opportunities, and a higher standard of living.

Top 3 locations for NetSuite professionals:

1. Australia

Junior-level salary: $78,954 (AUD)

Mid-level salary: $109,198 (AUD)

Senior-level salary: $114,769 (AUD)

2. New York

Junior-level salary: $87,500 (USD)

Mid-level salary: $120,000 (USD)

Senior-level salary: $132,000 (USD)

3. Chicago

Junior-level $87,500 (USD)

Mid-level $120,000 (USD)

Senior-level $132,000 (USD)

Knowing your value in the market as a NetSuite Admin

Understanding your worth as a NetSuite Admin and the comparable rates for your skills is an important task to undertake when looking to expand your career in the market. Without regular research, it can be a fine line between you having a fair market value for your position or you picking an arbitrary number that doesn’t reflect your skills, education, or experience.

It‘s important to do frequent research on the industry you’re working in, how that will affect the security of your role, and the effect you’ll have on your compensation package.

Currently, the role of a NetSuite Admin is looking like a remunerative career path to pursue. Nevertheless, we still recommend utilizing a range of sources to regularly benchmark your skillset and experience with those of your colleagues in the ecosystem