13 Honest Data Center Technician Salaries
Salary averages can be misleading. One culprit? Geography. A salary in San Francisco doesn't compare dollar-for-dollar to a salary in Charlotte. Another culprit? Math. Quite simply, outliers (i.e., expensive cities) skew the data.
While it is easier to report a national average without context, it's better to look at regions than national averages to determine honest salary averages. That's why we took a look at the salaries of data center technicians, by city (like we did for Information Security Analysts and Ethical Hackers).
To gather this data, we looked at Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and local postings in 13 cities to get an accurate sense of the data. More importantly, we focused on cities that house large data centers.
It's well known that most of the world's internet traffic passes through Loudoun County in Northern Virginia, a city dubbed the "Data Center Alley." But, every one of these cities wooed companies to bring their data centers (and jobs) to their region with the two things every data center needs — cheap power and lots of land.
What is a Data Center Technician?
A data center technician is an entry-level IT role mainly focused on keeping the physical side of a data center running smoothly. While there’s some software work involved, the job is hands-on—think hardware installs, cable management, and troubleshooting servers.
Depending on the size of the data center, technicians might be responsible for a specific server rack or help maintain the entire network. If it’s plugged in or powered up, they probably have a hand in it.
Common skills for a data center tech include:
Hardware Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and repairing servers, drives, and other components quickly and accurately.
Cable Management: Keeping data center wiring organized, labeled, and efficient for performance and safety.
Networking Basics: Understanding IP addressing, switches, and how devices connect within the network.
Rack and Stack Installation: Installing and configuring servers and network equipment into racks following industry standards.
Linux and Windows Server Knowledge: Familiarity with common operating systems used in enterprise environments.
Physical Endurance: Ability to lift equipment, work in tight spaces, and handle physically demanding tasks.
Documentation and Asset Tracking: Accurately recording changes, inventory, and configurations to maintain uptime and compliance.
How Much Does a Data Center Technician Actually Make?
To find this data via ZipRecruiter, we focused on job postings explicitly for data center technicians. To keep the numbers accurate, we did not include analysts, senior technicians, or managers.
The national average salary for a data center technician is $54,538.
The average high: $79,077
The average low: $39,000
Here are the data center technician salaries from 13 U.S. cities:
| Low | Average | High |
Ashburn, VA | $43,000.00 | $55,500.00 | $79,000.00 |
Chicago, IL | $44,000.00 | $55,500.00 | $79,000.00 |
New York, NY | $47,000.00 | $59,000.00 | $85,000.00 |
Phoenix, AZ | $42,000.00 | $53,000.00 | $76,000.00 |
Dallas, TX | $42,000.00 | $54,000.00 | $76,000.00 |
San Jose, CA | $50,000.00 | $64,500.00 | $90,000.00 |
Prineville, OR | $43,000.00 | $55,000.00 | $77,000.00 |
Seattle, WA | $49,000.00 | $61,500.00 | $88,000.00 |
Albuquerque, NM | $41,000.00 | $52,000.00 | $75,000.00 |
Council Bluffs, Iowa | $40,000.00 | $51,000.00 | $72,000.00 |
Charlotte, NC | $41,000.00 | $52,500.00 | $75,000.00 |
Atlanta, GA | $40,000.00 | $51,500.00 | $73,000.00 |
Salt Lake City, UT | $41,000.00 | $52,000.00 | $74,000.00 |
What Experience Do You Need to Become a Data Center Tech?
Because data center techs are entry-level positions, they don't require experience, but it's preferred. We saw job postings listed as familiar with networking, with a heavy emphasis on cabling standards and documentation.
Once again, that's because most data center technicians are close to the metal. Proficiency in multiple scripting languages and operating systems is also often listed as a preferred requirement.
We also saw these certifications on a bunch of job postings:
When it comes down to it, data center techs are IT pros with a diverse set of daily tasks. They might terminate cable ends, drill hard drives, or remotely recover data.
On an environmental note, data center techs should also have a tolerance for the cold and the ability to go without food or water for long periods of time. Food and drink are generally not allowed in data centers.
Top Data Center Engineer Certifications
Those who have braved a loud, cold data center, and enjoyed it might consider getting certified and moving up. If you're just starting out, we recommend learning the basics of data centers.
While Cisco’s CCNA Data Center certification was once a common starting point, it was retired in 2020. Now, aspiring data center engineers typically pursue the broader CCNA certification for foundational networking skills and then level up with the CCNP Data Center certification.
The CCNP Data Center certification will get you to the first stage in management (and away from the racks). Hopeful data center engineers will have to pass two exams to earn the certification.
The CCNP Data Center is a professional-level certification that dives deep into areas like automation, storage networking, Layer 2/3 technologies, and data center security. To earn it, you’ll need to pass two exams:
One core exam: 350-601 DCCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Data Center Core Technologies)
One concentration exam of your choice, covering topics like ACI, SANs, or automation
If you are already in the field, learning management and leadership skills could help boost you into more senior roles, including:
Data Center Engineer
Senior Data Center Technician
Data Center Operations Manager
Data Center Manager
No matter what stage you are at, CBT Nuggets can help you gain the skills you need to climb the data center pay scale.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Data Center Technician
If you’re aiming for the higher end of the pay scale—or a promotion off the floor—there are a few smart ways to level up. Start by gaining hands-on experience with networking, virtualization, and operating systems like Linux or Windows Server. From there, certifications can make a big difference. Earning a CompTIA Network+ or moving toward the Cisco CCNP Data Center shows employers you’re serious about growing your skills.
Soft skills matter, too. Strong communication, documentation, and leadership abilities can open doors to more senior roles and bigger paychecks. Want to go even further? Learn scripting, brush up on automation tools, and get comfortable working in hybrid or cloud environments.
Ready to move up the ranks—and earn more while you're at it? Start training today with CBT Nuggets and build the skills that data center leaders are looking for.
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