8 High-Paying Entry-Level Jobs - Zippia (2024)

Entry-level jobs are often associated with low pay, but there are actually plenty of high-paying entry-level jobs out there. These no experience jobs might require a college background or specific skill set, and some entry-level job postings might even say “1-3 years of experience required.”

Don’t let that stop you as a job seeker if you lack professional experience. Showing that you have the relevant knowledge or skills through internships, volunteering, or contract work can help you land an entry-level job that pays well. In this article, you’ll find a list of the best high-paying entry jobs and guidance on what to look for in an entry-level job. We’ll also share some tips for how to secure a good entry-level job with no experience needed.

Key Takeaways:

• Consider salary, cultural fit, and the potential for future growth when you’re looking at an entry-level job.

• Some high-paying entry-level jobs have degree requirements or proof of your skills through certification.

• To get a high-paying entry-level job, you’ll need work a well-written resume that shows how you have the potential to take on the work, even if you lack professional experience.

High-paying entry-level jobs

Here, we’ll provide you with the best entry-level jobs in terms of salary and future growth.

The list will include jobs of varying work cultures and industries. This way, even if you don’t find your perfect fit, you’ll know where to direct your job search.

1. Web developer
   Average Annual Salary: $80,000

   Web development is a field that anyone can break into, making it a perfect entry-level job, even if you lack experience or a college degree. There are plenty of online boot camps for learning the basics of web development, and with a certification and a portfolio your projects, you can land an entry-level web developer job.

   A college degree will help get a higher starting salary, especially in a relevant field, but it’s not necessary. And building your own website for practice can be a fun way to learn and possibly even lead to some side income to boot.

   Demand for web developers is projected to grow 13% over the next decade, making it one of America’s best entry-level jobs. The work culture and environment vary by agencies and clients.

   Find Web developer jobs near me

2. Dental hygienist
   Average Annual Salary: $113,000

   Becoming a dental hygienist does take some preparation, as it requires a license in every state. However, you only need an associate’s degree and this license, totaling two years commitment, to get started. And entry-level dental hygienists make good money right out of the gate — often before their friends are done with their four-year degrees.

   Dental hygienists examine patients for oral diseases and report findings to dentists. They also create treatment plans, provide preventative care, and educate patients on oral health. Potential job growth in this career is high, as the average age of the US population is steadily growing, which will result in greater demand for dental services.

   Find Dental hygienist jobs near me

3. Sales representative
   Average Annual Salary: $56,000

   Becoming a sales representative is one of the easiest entry-level jobs for anyone to get into, from any background. As long as you have the ability to communicate well and understand the product you’re selling, anyone can get started as an entry-level sales representative.

   Pay is usually based on performance in these roles, so hungry sales representatives who work hard to prove themselves can earn massive commissions and greater access to desired sales regions. The work environment is often high-paced and extremely competitive.

   Find Sales representative jobs near me

4. Video editor
   Average Annual Salary: $49,000

   Video production is an ever-growing field in the US, and with that comes opportunities for entry-level video editors. Much like graphic design, formal education and experience aren’t barriers to entry for getting started as a video editor. If you teach yourself the essentials and create a convincing portfolio, the door will open to entry-level jobs in video editing.

   While the base salary is low, this job is seeing a tremendous year over year growth of 20%, and film and video editing is ranked among the best jobs for recent college graduates. Film and video editors often work freelance, so pay is dependent on the quantity and quality of your clients.

   Find Film and video editor jobs near me

5. Software developer
   Average Annual Salary: $94,000

   Software development is a field of non-stop growth and innovation, and there’s always a need for new entry-level software developers on teams at companies of all sizes. And what’s more, even these entry-level jobs often pay generous salaries.

   Projected growth in this field is tremendous, as nearly all aspects of modern life involve software-development. The job has ranked among the highest-paying in recent years and is expected to continue for the coming future.

   See Also

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   Work environment ranges from fast-paced and competitive to laid-back and relaxed, depending on your employer. Many software developers also work freelance or as independent consultants, which comes with more independence but less financial security.

   Find Software developer jobs near me

6. Nurse practitioner
   Average Annual Salary: $104,000

   Becoming a nurse practitioner is a long road, but once you’ve met all the requirements, it’s one of the highest-paying entry-level positions in the country. Nurse practitioners’ responsibilities include assisting in disease and illness prevention, diagnosis of illnesses, and overall patient care.

   Nurse practitioners must hold a master’s degree in nursing. They may additionally specialize in areas such as:

   • Geriatrics

   • Pediatrics

   • Mental health

   • Family practice

   Salary scales considerably with experience and specialization, making growth potential in this field high.

   Additionally, the average age of the population is steadily growing, and demand for NPs is expected to rise over the next decade in response.

   The work environment always requires an individual with strong leadership and communication skills. Nurse practitioners must be able to relate with patients, as well as collaborate with medical staff.

   Find Nurse practitioner jobs near me

7. Social media manager

   Average Annual Salary: $70,000

   An entry-level job that’s perfect for recent graduates with a knack for social media, becoming a social media manager can be a lucrative first job. While many employers will want to see a degree in marketing or a related field, others will be happy just to see evidence of your social media prowess (e.g., a successful Instagram account).

   If you’re good at what you do, starting pay (and salary growth) can be quite high for social media managers.

   Find social media manager jobs near me

8. Human resources associate

   Average Annual Salary: $57,000

   Human resources involves a lot of administrative work, and human resources associates are the entry-level workers who carry much of that work out. It’s a job that often requires a degree, but anyone with solid organizational skills and interpersonal abilities can get started as a human resources associate. If you have any experience in customer service, that’ll also be a tremendous help for an entry-level human resources associate role.

   Starting pay is high, and a career in human resources is both a secure and lucrative.

   Find human resources associate jobs near me

What to Look for in an Entry-Level Job

Individuals value different aspects when choosing an entry-level job. However, there are a few key factors that every professional should consider:

These are:

• Salary. This factor shouldn’t be a surprise. Every worker prefers to make more money.

  However, it’s wise not to become blinded by a job listing’s dollar figure. Other factors will indirectly impact your earnings.

• Potential for salary growth. If a role shows no clear path towards more responsibility and increased pay, then even a high starting salary may not be worth it.

  This potential differs between industries, jobs within those industries, and specific companies.

  Before accepting a job or focusing on securing one, do some research. See what other industry professionals and prior employees have to say.

• Cultural fit. Professionals starting their careers often ignore company culture.

  After all, you’re there to work, not socialize. However, the types of teams and work environment at a job will impact your performance.

  This, in turn, influences the quality of professional connections you’re able to make, indirectly affecting future career growth.

  Cultural fit describes not only the social culture of a role, but its workstyle. For example, quantitative finance jobs are often extremely competitive, fast-paced, and require extended work hours.

  Be certain that you’re prepared for these aspects before committing to a job.

• Potential for professional growth. An entry-level job likely won’t be your dream job, but it can put you on the path to your dream job.

  When you’re considering an entry-level job, consider the experience you’d gain and if it will help propel you forward in your career. You can even ask someone who does have your dream job if they think this position would be a good place to start.

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  In addition, look at the structure of the company to see if you’d have room to move to roles with more responsibility in the future. Some companies are better at this than others, and while it won’t derail your career to take a job at an organization that doesn’t have many growth opportunities, it can slow you down and get frustrating.

How to Find and Land an Entry-Level Job

With a competitive job market, many find it challenging to kick-start their career.

Understanding how to land an entry-level job is, therefore, a matter of understanding your competition.

We’ve compiled a list of the critical requirements employers are looking for. Securing your dream job will require exceeding in these areas:

• Education. The proportion of the workforce that holds college degrees is higher than ever.

  Some entry-level jobs indeed value education less than others. However, understand that employers often receive large stacks of applications for any job listing.

  Recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds looking at each resume. Thus, applicants without a degree may be quickly dismissed, even if their achievements are impressive.

  If obtaining a bachelor’s degree is unrealistic, consider going for an associate’s. The key is to have something in addition to a high school degree to list under your resume’s education section.

• Experience. For many jobs, experience is just as necessary, if not more, than having a degree.

  Having a few years of work experience demonstrating your abilities and commitment to work will separate you from the crowd. This especially the case as the job market is currently saturated with high numbers of undergraduates with minimal work experience.

  Our detailed research on entry-level jobs has found that despite being labeled as such, many of these jobs look for applicants with at least 18 months of experience.

• Well-written resume. The purpose of a resume is to concisely convey to the recruiter how you can provide value.

  There are many tips for writing a great resume.

  The most important are:

  1. Keep it concise. Make sure your resume fits on one page. Remove any unnecessary words and prioritize readability.

  2. Focus on results. Recruiters want to know how you can apply your skills, not just whether you have them.

     Show how your skills have created value for a prior employer. Using numbers is an excellent method.

     For example, rather than simply saying: “Created marketing campaigns…”, say “Created marketing campaigns that increased target audience reach by 32% and conversion rates by 22%.”

  3. Proofread. Typos stick out like a sore thumb. Even an impressive resume conveys laziness when peppered with mistakes.

• Professional cover letter. Many applicants neglect to send a cover letter. This makes for a great opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

  Studies show that recruiters spend over 50% more time reading over applications that include a cover letter, instantly improving your chances.

  Cover letters also provide benefits that a lone resume cannot, such as conveying your personality and establishing the foundation for a professional relationship.

Opportunity Awaits

Whether you’re switching industries or starting your career, entry-level jobs are a great way to steer your future down the right path.

Make sure you consider all aspects of the job, in addition to pay, before you commit.

Hopefully, one of the high-paying entry-level jobs we’ve researched has appealed to you. Feel free to use Zippia’s numerous resources to secure your dream career and good luck.

High Paying Entry Level Jobs FAQ

1. What is the quickest career to get?

   The quickest career to get is one that doesn’t require any postsecondary schooling to enter. There are a variety of jobs that fit these criteria, including roles as an administrative assistant, a sales representative, and even a web developer.

   You’ll still need to have the appropriate skills and experience required to get hired for one of these roles, but you don’t necessarily need a degree.

   These are all excellent opportunities to start a career immediately out of high school. Often you’ll still need to complete some classes or extra professional development courses along the way to get where you want to go in your career if you start in these roles, but beginning this way can help you reduce the cost of those classes.

   There are also plenty of options that require minimal schooling or training to enter, such as the skilled trades (e.g., plumbing, carpentry, etc.), automotive mechanic careers, and machining and welding.

   These often require either a year or two of classes or an apprenticeship to enter, both of which will pay off when you’re able to earn a highly livable wage just a few years out of high school.

2. What is the easiest certification to get that pays well?

   A Human Resources certification is the easiest certification to get that pays well. The aPHR certification, which stands for Associate Professional in Human Resources, is considered to be one of the easiest certifications to get because its exam has a pass rate of 84%. This means that 84% of people who take it pass, which is high for professional certification.

   To qualify to take the aPHR exam, you’ll simply need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and have your application to test approved. Once you pass the test, you’ll need to maintain your certification by logging a certain number of professional development credits or by passing the exam again.

   This certification is unique because all you need is knowledge to obtain it. Many other professional certifications require a certain amount of experience in order to be eligible to take the certification exam, but this one does not.

   This allows you to increase your chances of getting an HR job right off the bat rather than requiring you to earn a degree or applicable work experience first, although both of these will always help your job search prospects.

3. What trade can I learn in three months?

   You can learn to be an HVAC technician in three months. There are a variety of three-month HVAC technician training programs available that teach you what you’ll need to know to get a job in this field.

   As an HVAC technician, you’ll install and repair heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. While you’ll likely have to work as an apprentice or in a similar entry-level role for a while – especially if you go the three-month certification program route – eventually, you can make an above-average salary as an HVAC technician.

   In addition to gaining experience, you can increase your value and, by extension, your salary by continuing your professional development. Getting additional certifications will allow you to do more specific work, which usually means you’ll earn a higher paycheck. You may even be able to work your way up to owning your own company one day.

   Other trades that you can learn in three months include:

   • Real estate agent

   • Medical coder

   • Web developer

   • Truck driver

4. Do entry-level jobs exist anymore?

   Yes, entry-level jobs still exist. Entry-level jobs are the most junior positions at an organization that require the least amount of prior experience. This doesn’t mean they don’t require any experience, but they do require the least.

   Entry-level jobs aren’t always glamorous or especially fulfilling, but they do allow you to get your foot in the door of a company or industry and gain experience that you’ll use for the rest of your career. Even if you don’t stay in the exact field that you start out in, the things you’ll learn in your first position will carry over into all areas of your career.

   Entry-level jobs also give you the opportunity to start creating a network of valuable connections. This may be your boss or an executive that you’re able to learn from, or it may be a client that especially likes you and will be willing to recommend you to others in the future. It also gets your name out there so that when potential employers are looking you up, they’ll be able to find you.

   Because of this, it’s important to be diligent and excellent in your entry-level work, no matter how boring or frustrating it may be. Your leaders will be watching you to see what you bring to the table, and you won’t get far if you complain, slack off, or are generally difficult to work with.

5. How many years is an entry-level job?

   An entry-level job can last one to three years. This timeline will vary depending on your position, company, and industry, but generally, it’s a good rule of thumb to wait at least a year and preferably more until you start looking to move into a mid-level role.

   This will give you plenty of time to not only learn how to do your job well but also to learn about the company and industry itself. Unless you’re extremely overqualified for your current entry-level role, employers typically won’t give much thought to candidates who apply for higher-level positions within a year of joining the company, and some won’t allow them to apply at all.

   At the same time, you shouldn’t be content to stay in an entry-level job forever. Don’t panic if you’ve been there for two or three years – mid-level roles can be hard to come by – but if it gets to be much longer than that, it might be time to move to a different position.

   When it is time to move on, it’s generally a good idea to start by looking for another role at your current company, but if there isn’t a clear path forward that you want to take within the organization, start looking elsewhere.