Pros
Remote work offers flexibility. Once you learn the system, it's easy to manage your workload. L4 pay in WA State ranges from $75K to $92K. I knew L3s making $57K who performed much better than some L3s hired at $71K.
Cons
L3 engineers often feel underappreciated by management. We are expected to go above and beyond for our peers while receiving little recognition. Promotions are rare, with only 6% of ITSE advancing to L4. Despite seeing many deserving L3s, promotions seem tied more to CSAT scores, which can be unfairly impacted by users who may not be technically inclined. The distinction between L3 and L4 feels arbitrary at times, with many L4s performing similar tasks as L3s but receiving higher pay. While some L4s are deserving, there are instances where it feels like promotions are more about internal politics rather than skill or merit.