Even without prior experience, the current job market offers ample opportunities for entry-level positions that can provide lucrative salaries and promising career trajectories. While overall employment growth may have slowed, certain industries and professions continue to show strong demand and are actively seeking new talent. Before refining your resume, consider exploring this list of fields where recent graduates have the potential to earn high salaries in their first full-time roles:
1. Computer & Tech Industry
Tech jobs are some of the most desired right now. In the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, they report that tech jobs are projected to grow much faster than the average of all occupations, and because of the demand, the jobs are well-paid. So if you’re making a career change, looking for an entry-level position in tech makes a lot of sense.
Computer and IT industries offer some of the highest-paying entry-level jobs, such as database administration, computer security, and technical support jobs. To land a job in one of these fields, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related area, such as computer science or knowledge of specific coding languages, along with some experience in relevant projects.
In the world of tech and software development, high-paying, entry-level positions, such as entry-level data analyst, data scientist, and Java developer, are in high demand. These positions play a crucial role in the technology needs of nearly every industry.
The average salary for database administrators, according to FlexJobs.com for example, is nearly $69,000 per year. As a database administrator, you’ll help create or maintain systems to store and organize data. Median salaries for data scientists are around $75,000 per year.
While according to FlexJobs.com, Java developers can expect to earn an average salary of around $100,000 per year, programming salaries vary significantly based on the skills you’ve gained. Many such as a Ruby on Rails developer, according to ZipRecruiter, have a median range of $122,000 and increase significantly from there.
2. Accounting & Finance Industry
The financial sector offers a wide range of high-paying, entry-level positions, including entry-level accounting, banking, and bookkeeping jobs. To secure a job in the accounting industry, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree in finance or economics, and in some cases professional certifications.
Entry-level bookkeepers in California, according to ZipRecruiter.com report a median salary of around $51,267 while according to Indeed.com, accounting jobs average $69,000 or more. Other positions, such as mortgage assistants, insurance claim adjusters, and investment associates, also offer competitive salaries, according to ZipRecruiter.com and average $59,000 and upwards annually.
With a projected growth of 9% over the next decade according to BLS, the financial sector provides ample opportunities for growth, bonuses, and the chance to develop your financial fluency and customer service skills.
3. Medical & Health Industry
Despite the often complex and specialized nature, the healthcare industry offers a diverse array of high-paying entry-level positions. Unlike other industries where a four-year degree or extensive experience may be necessary, many healthcare roles instead prioritize specific certifications or postsecondary coursework.
Entry-level roles throughout the industry include medical coding, case management, nursing, and dental jobs, among others, some requiring state or local licensure.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median pay for a registered nurse, for instance, begins at around $86,070 per year, while entry-level medical record specialists jobs average $48,780 annually.
The demand for various healthcare services continues to grow driven by factors such as population aging and increased health consciousness. Opportunities for career advancement are numerous, and roles within the medical and health sector are projected to grow 6% according to BLS - about as fast as average.
4. Administrative & Customer Service Industry
Administrative roles, such as virtual assistants and executive assistants, play a crucial role in the smooth functioning of businesses and organizations. These positions involve a variety of administrative tasks. Common tasks often include scheduling appointments, managing correspondence, and organizing files.
Customer service and support service and support roles, such as entry-level customer service representatives and call centre specialists, offer high-paying entry-level opportunities for those with excellent people skills and the ability to adapt to various situations.
Salaries for customer service and support roles can vary, but entry-level customer service representatives can expect to earn a competitive salary. Salary.com reports a median yearly income of $49,229 for customer service roles.
According to FlexJobs.com, the typical entry-level salary for an administrative assistant is nearly $45,000 per year. According to ZipRecruiter.com, entry-level salaries for executive assistants average higher, at around $45,000.
With technology increasing at a rapid pace, specialized fields can increase your earning potential. For example, medical secretaries and administrative assistants are forecasted to have 8% growth over the next decade.
Landing a high-paying job as you launch your career might seem like a dream, but it’s not as far-fetched as you think. With the right approach, you can secure an entry-level position that offers a generous salary and room for growth. The key lies in understanding the landscape of today’s career market, knowing where and how to search, and laying a successful foundation that blends your interests with your unique skill set.