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. Once you’ve got a specific target, landing a high-paying, entry-level position is well within your reach.

Key Takeaways :

Understanding Entry-Level Jobs

When you’re new to an industry due to a career change or a recent degree, you’re likely going to be starting on the first step of your career ladder. These roles can help you gain the skills you need to build a successful career long-term. Gaining on-the-job experience helps you build confidence and credibility in ways that a classroom setting can’t fully develop. Requiring minimal professional work experience, entry-level jobs are perfect for industry newcomers. Oftentimes, you’ll see these roles listed with titles that begin with “junior” or “assistant.”

For instance, in the business sector, roles such as junior accountant or assistant project manager are considered entry-level jobs. These roles offer opportunities to understand the nitty-gritty of business operations. In the tech industry, positions like junior developer are typical entry-level roles in which one can learn and grow through hands-on work. In an entry-level position, you’ll generally work on projects that are overseen by more senior team members, or your role won’t impact the project with as much significance. Organizations will be looking to set you up for success with gradually increasing responsibilities. After you’ve proven successful in an entry-level position, you’ll become eligible for more advanced roles.

What Is Considered a High-Paying, Entry-Level Job?

A high-paying, entry-level job offers a salary close to or higher than the median wage for all occupations in the U.S. without requiring prior experience. Some of these jobs may not require a four-year college degree but focus on reasonable on-the-job training requirements and quicker-than-average growth potential.

Entry-level doesn’t mean untrained though. The education and experience requirements for these positions can vary significantly. Some might require nothing more than a high school diploma. But many of the higher-paying roles require postsecondary education, with some requiring a bachelor’s degree or specific certification.

Not only does education factor in, but landing your first entry-level role in a new field is often the most challenging job of your entire career. With a blank slate for career accomplishments, it’s tricky for hiring managers to visualize the impact you’ll make if they bring you on board. Settle in for a longer job search when you’re looking for your first role.

To avoid discouragement, set realistic expectations before you begin. Research shows that it can take an average of 100-200 applications to get an offer. Why is that? It turns out that the average corporate posting receives over 250 responses for one opening. But don’t let those numbers discourage you. Instead, let them motivate you to stay focused when you’re losing a bit of steam during a lengthy job search.

7 Top High-Paying, Entry-Level Jobs

There are several industries that offer high-paying, entry-level jobs, even remote jobs! Each industry has its unique requirements and potential salary ranges, so it’s essential to research and align your skills and education with the right opportunity.

The financial sector offers a wide range of high-paying, entry-level positions, including 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 report a median salary of around $42,000 while accounting jobs average $60,000 or more. Other positions, such as mortgage assistants, insurance claims adjusters, and investment associates, also offer competitive salaries, averaging $36,000 and upwards annually.

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. Roles vary significantly from industry to industry and even within the same organization. Common tasks often include scheduling appointments, managing correspondence, and organizing files. The typical entry-level salary for an administrative assistant is nearly $45,000 per year. Executive assistants have significantly more impact on an organization, as they’re generally supporting upper-level leadership. As such, entry-level salaries for executive assistants average higher, at around $67,000.

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. The average salary for database administrators, for example, is nearly $69,000 per year. As a database administrator, you’ll help create or maintain systems to store and organize data. With rapid advancements in technology and the high demand for skilled professionals in computer & IT fields, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts faster-than-average growth potential (9%) and competitive salaries.

Finding Jobs That Pay Well With No Experience

Launching a new career can feel daunting regardless of which path you take to get to the starting point. You might hesitate to make a transition you feel is going to limit your financial resources due to a low-paying, entry-level role. But the truth is, many professions have entry-level positions that can meet your financial and flexibility needs. If you’re still exploring your options, take some time to look through the industries highlighted here. Use those to brainstorm and build a career you’re excited about, one step at a time. Are you ready to find a flexible, entry-level job that supports your career and work-life balance needs? With Imap Account, you can find remote jobs, hybrid jobs, weekend jobs, easy jobs that pay well, traveling jobs, and more. Take a tour of our platform to learn more about all of the ways membership can empower your job search and career.