Pay & Career Ladder
Every step is a credential. Every credential is a paycheck event. No mystery, no "we'll talk about it later."
The principle
Pay at Zion is tied to documented competency, not seniority or politics. Every NICET certification level is a defined raise. Every additional discipline credential is a defined raise. The ladder is published below.
Specific dollar amounts. Zion publishes specific starting pay bands at the offer stage, not on the public site, because Texas labor markets vary. What we commit to: apprentice starting pay sits at or above the Texas low-voltage helper market; NICET III lead techs earn at or above the top of the Texas fire-protection technician market.
The ladder
| Level | Typical experience | Credentials | Pay event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | 0–12 months | OSHA-10, working toward NICET I | Starting band |
| Apprentice Year 2 | 12–24 months | NICET I, OSHA-30 | Raise on NICET I pass |
| Technician | 2–4 years | NICET II, manufacturer schools | Raise on NICET II pass |
| Lead Technician | 4–6 years | NICET III (primary discipline) | Raise on NICET III pass |
| Senior Lead / Foreman | 6+ years | NICET III (primary) + NICET II/III (secondary) | Raise on second discipline cert |
| Designer / PM / Estimator | varies | NICET IV / PE pathway | Office-track salary band |
Beyond base pay
- Health, dental, vision. Standard commercial benefits package starting Day 1.
- Paid training time. 4 hours of every Friday is paid classroom; not unpaid "your time."
- NICET fees paid. Zion pays all exam fees on first attempt.
- Tools allowance. Annual tool budget after probation.
- Per diem & vehicle. Company vehicle for field roles, per diem on overnight work.
- Referral bonus. Paid on referred hires who complete year one.