How valuable is NICET?

[HOWARD8828]

I’m asking because often times while looking at the market and job ads on San Francisco Bay Area Indeed, many companies will list salaries between $23-27per hour, 2-3 years minimum experience and then they will say NICET (preferred)...

So how valuable is it really to get your NICET?

Even at level 1.

For instance I fit the criteria above. I make a few dollars shy of $22 per hour and my natural ask at a new company would likely fit around $26 minimum. (Which I think is reasonable because who would change companies for a dollar or two?) - would having NICET make or break that to being a tough or easy ask?

It almost seems like companies are willing to pay and NICET is really not that big of a deal.

Thoughts?