Entry Level Jobs That Make Good Money

Entry level jobs are advertised every day, but it’s not always possible for college graduates and beginners to accept a job offer right away. There is a lot of competition out there, and if you don’t have the right experience or education behind your name, companies might not be willing to invest time in training you. In this post I’m going to tell you about other types of entry-level jobs that provide excellent training and pay very good money.

If you’re searching for the right entry-level jobs, it’s important to take the time to find a position that can not only satisfy you but is also good at paying. The best way to do this is by finding companies that value good service and pay their workers accordingly. This post will give you tips and tricks for finding these entry-level jobs that pay well, as well as explain how you can move up from your position.

Entry Level Jobs That Make Good Money

The phrase “entry-level” has, in many ways, become synonymous with low pay. But the truth is, “It is not the term ‘entry-level’ that determines salary,” says Linda J. Hollenback, MSEd, a college and career strategist, founder of Hollenback Consulting, and a Certified Professional Résumé Writer. There are plenty of entry-level jobs out there that pay well—it’s just about figuring out which roles and industries are going to give you the most bang for your entry-level buck.

“It’s all about supply and demand,” says Colleen DelVecchio, an independent career coach and senior coach at ArcVida who previously spent a decade as a career counselor at Smith College. “When there are less candidates with a specific skills set, industries tend to pay higher,” she says. “Additionally, when industries can charge their end users more, the pay tends to be higher.”
So the question is: If you want to start your career off on a high-paying note, what are the roles that are going to offer a high salary from the get-go?

Defining “High-Paying” and “Entry-Level”
First things first, let’s take a minute to define what we mean when we say “high-paying” and “entry-level.”

In this case, we’re defining “high-paying” as any role that pays more than the median salary for all occupations in the U.S.—which, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $39,810 per year as of May 2019 (the most recent data available).

And an entry-level role is “one that does not require previous experience in the field,” DelVecchio says. “They are positions where the employer is willing to train you and help you to build the skills necessary.”

One thing to note: You may run into situations where an entry-level role will “be posted at two to five years experience,” DelVecchio says. These “entry-level-but-not-really” positions have been on the rise since the Great Recession and can feel like a frustrating paradox to job seekers who are trying to break into the field—but don’t be discouraged! There are plenty of roles out there that are truly entry-level (and will pay well to boot!).

Here are 10 high-paying entry-level roles, along with salary information from the compensation resource Payscale (note that Payscale’s database is updated nightly; the figures below reflect the latest information as of February 2021):

  1. Data Scientist
    Average entry-level compensation: $85,421
    Average salary: $96,289
    Salary range: $67,000–$134,000

In today’s tech-centric world, data is becoming more important and abundant than ever—and companies need data and analytics teams to help organize, analyze, and leverage that data to hit their goals. Data scientists are responsible for creating the frameworks that companies use to analyze large sets of data. This includes designing and implementing algorithms and statistical models, running tests and experiments on existing data, developing internal and external data products, and continually evolving and optimizing their frameworks to ensure the most accurate results—which, in turn, leads to the most useful insights and accurate conclusions to help the business succeed and grow.

In order to get hired as an entry level-data scientist, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, math, engineering, statistics, or a related field—though you should be aware that some companies may require an advanced degree—and proof that you have some core data science skills.

Find data scientist and other data science jobs on The Muse

  1. Management Consultant
    Average entry-level compensation: $70,346
    Average salary: $87,805
    Salary range: $60,000–$144,000

Management consultants work with companies to help them improve their businesses by identifying problems, developing solutions, and overseeing the implementation of those solutions. For example, a team of consultants might help a company revamp their hiring practices to attract top talent, overhaul their internal processes to improve efficiency, or reimagine their budgets to cut costs. Management consultants are employed by consulting firms, not by the client companies they work with, which means that consultants have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects over time.

Management consulting is a competitive industry. To get your foot in the door at a consulting firm, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related field (such as business administration or economics) and a high GPA during your undergraduate studies. Keep in mind that some management consulting firms prefer their candidates to hold advanced degrees—even for entry-level roles.

Find management consultant jobs on The Muse

  1. Software Developer
    Average entry-level compensation: $62,581
    Average salary: $71,901
    Salary range: $50,000–$105,000

Software developers (also known as software engineers) are, as the name implies, responsible for developing different types of software. Ultimately, software developers are responsible for solving problems; they work with product managers to identify the end user’s key needs and design software, features, and fixes that meet those needs—and then they write, test, and deploy the relevant code.

While some companies require their software developers to hold a degree in computer science, many companies will hire software developers without a degree. As long as you know how to code—and can prove it in a technical interview—you’re good to go.

Find software developer and software engineer jobs on The Muse

  1. Business Analyst, IT
    Average entry-level compensation: $59,212
    Average salary: $69,209
    Salary range: $50,000–$98,000

IT business analysts are responsible for analyzing a company’s current IT operations—and then making recommendations to improve efficiency, bring down costs, and implement IT systems and protocols that empower employees to be more productive. Depending on the company and its IT infrastructure, they might analyze hardware, software, and/or IT systems, processes, and services to recommend the most impactful improvements. IT business analysts may also be looped into new projects to determine what kind of IT solutions the company will need to support the project.

Entry-level IT business analysts will need a bachelor’s degree in business administration, information technology, or a related field—as well as a deep understanding of IT systems that, depending on the person, could be gained through undergraduate coursework, internships, or personal study.

Find business analyst, IT jobs on The Muse

  1. Investment Associate
    Average entry-level compensation: $51,458
    Average salary: $63,046
    Salary range: $44,000–$104,000

Investment associates may work at banks, financial services firms, or other financial institutions and assist portfolio managers in researching and developing investment strategies for clients—both private and corporate. Their responsibilities typically include analyzing financial data, conducting research, creating presentations and other client materials, managing client transactions, and performing related administrative tasks. Most investment associates have analytical, research-based tasks as well as client-facing tasks—so in order to succeed, candidates should be comfortable doing both.

Generally, a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field is required for investment associate positions.

Find investment associate jobs on The Muse

  1. Desktop Support Engineer
    Average entry-level compensation: $49,724
    Average salary: $58,415
    Salary range: $42,000–$82,000

Desktop support engineers are responsible for troubleshooting anything that goes wrong with an organization’s software or hardware (such as computers, laptops, and servers), whether that’s on-site or from a remote location. Generally, a user will send over an IT request—and when the desktop support engineer receives that ticket, it’s their job to identify the problem, fix it, and ensure that everything is back up and running properly. They may also be responsible for documenting solutions, keeping track of backups and maintenance, and/or supporting IT technicians on their team.

While many companies prefer their desktop support engineers to have a degree, it’s not a requirement for many job listings; if you know how to troubleshoot IT issues—and can solve problems quickly and effectively—you can land a role.

Find desktop support engineer jobs on The Muse

  1. HR Associate
    Average entry-level compensation: $45,000
    Average salary: $50,025
    Salary range: $38,000–$69,000

An HR Associate supports leadership in the human resources or “people” department on a variety of projects. They might work with recruiters and HR managers to schedule interviews or contact references, process payroll and benefits paperwork, conduct orientation and onboarding sessions, help plan and execute trainings, and/or take on general administrative work. Because they’re often exposed to sensitive employee information during their work, HR associates must also be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and build and maintain trust with their team.

While many companies prefer to hire HR associates with a bachelor’s degree, you can also get your foot in the door without a college degree—as many companies are looking to hire HR talent with the right attitude and personality vs. any specific background.

Find HR associate and other human resources and recruiting jobs on The Muse

  1. Executive Assistant
    Average entry-level compensation: $43,533
    Average salary: $56,355
    Salary range: $39,000–$80,000

An executive assistant is an executive’s right-hand person, responsible for supporting the CEO or another executive (and sometimes multiple execs) in their day-to-day role. The job can include tasks like booking travel, managing calendars, scheduling appointments, planning events, managing projects, and performing other administrative duties (such as answering phones). EAs basically keep their executive’s life organized—so they must be extremely organized themselves and able to juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities at once (without letting anything fall through the cracks).

While some executives require their EAs to have experience and/or a four-year degree, many companies are more open to folks just starting their careers—and are willing to train promising candidates on the job.

Find executive assistant jobs on The Muse

  1. Marketing Associate
    Average entry-level compensation: $43,107
    Average salary: $47,533
    Salary range: $35,000–$68,000

Just as an HR associate supports a company’s HR team, a marketing associate supports a marketing team. There are opportunities for marketing associates within a huge range of industries—from consumer packaged goods to tech to nonprofits. Depending on the company’s marketing goals and structure, there may also be opportunities to work on tasks and projects related to a wide variety of marketing specialties. For example, a marketing associate might assist in writing blog, social media, or email copy; working on product launch campaigns; planning and running events; conducting market research; and/or building up e-commerce efforts.

Most companies want their marketing associates to have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field—as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Find marketing associate and other marketing jobs on The Muse

  1. Sales Development Representative
    Average entry-level compensation: $43,041
    Average salary: $44,624
    Salary range: $35,000–$60,000

Sales development representatives (SDRs) are responsible for generating qualified leads (a.k.a., potential customers), reaching out to those leads, and briefly educating the lead on the product or service that’s for sale—with the end goal being to schedule a call or meeting with a sales executive who can continue the conversation and ultimately close the deal. SDRs need solid research skills, a willingness to make a high volume of cold calls, and the ability to connect with potential customers.

Most companies don’t require SDRs to have any specific background or degree; instead, they look for candidates with the personality, drive, and tenacity needed for a successful career in sales. (And keep in mind that while the average entry-level compensation for this role is around $43,000, it’s a sales role—and if you end up being a great salesperson, bigger bonuses and commissions based on excellent performance could drive your earnings higher even without a raise or promotion.)

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