When it comes to kickstarting your career, the quest for a well-paying entry-level job is a natural pursuit.
But let's shatter the misconception that entry-level positions mean low paychecks.
In today's dynamic landscape, where technology and online ventures are reshaping industries, high-paying entry-level jobs are waiting to be discovered.
The real secret? Knowing where to look.
As the economy makes a triumphant comeback post-pandemic, the employment landscape is evolving, with the USA poised for a significant 7.7% job growth from 2020 to 2030, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
So, if you're hungry for those high-paying entry-level roles, stick around.
We're about to unveil a tantalizing list of the most lucrative opportunities in 2023 that'll set you on a rewarding career path. Let's dive in!
What Are Entry-Level Jobs?
Entry-level jobs, often perched at the base of the career ladder, are like the first step on a grand staircase.
But here's the twist – they're not necessarily the runt of the job market. In fact, they can be lucrative and surprisingly prestigious.
Entry-level positions beckon fresh graduates, extending a warm invitation to those who've just tossed their graduation caps skyward.
Yet, they also open their arms to those who've been away from the classroom for a while, perhaps pursuing dreams or simply waiting for the right opportunity to dive into the professional world.
But here's the magic – these roles, seemingly humble, can be your secret weapon for climbing the corporate ladder.
With the promise of growth and the chance to scale new heights, entry-level jobs can be your launchpad to an exciting career journey.
Top 20 Highest Paying Entry-Level Jobs
While the entry-level job you get entirely depends on your skills, interests, education, and opportunities, listed below are some of the high paying entry level jobs that might interest you.
However, for most jobs, you need relevant skills and education.
1. Data Scientist
Average Salary: $93,167 per year
Responsibilities
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Collaboration with Stakeholders: Data scientists partner with stakeholders to grasp business objectives and identify data patterns crucial for extracting actionable insights.
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Multifaceted Data Interpretation: They possess the ability to read and interpret diverse data sources, encompassing text, images, audio, and video.
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Algorithm Development: Data scientists create algorithms tailored to address business challenges. For instance, they may devise predictive algorithms utilizing historical sales data to help a company achieve a 10% sales boost by considering factors like weather fluctuations and advertising strategies.
Essential Skills
- Statistical Analysis
- Machine Learning
- Computer Science
- Programming
- Data Storytelling
- Business Intuition
Also Read: How to write a data scientist resume?
2. Software Engineer
Average Salary: $76,882 per year
Responsibilities
Entry-level software engineers are responsible for working on all aspects of the company's software, including creating and implementing new features, debugging and testing existing code, and working collaboratively with other members of the development team to ensure that new projects meet the company's standards.
Given below are some responsibilities of a software engineer:
- Attending daily stand-up meetings and learning about the codebase to improve your coding
- Assisting senior engineers in writing and maintaining code
- Fixing bugs and monitoring the technical performance of systems
- Responding to the development team's requests
- Collecting and sorting out customer's feedback to implement improvements
- Writing test scripts and conducting development tests
Essential Skills
- Front-end Development
- Back-end Development
- Code Reviews
- Technical Documentation
- Feedback Collection
- Programming
- Data-structure & Algorithm
- Object-oriented Programming
Requirements
Software engineering roles typically require a bachelor's degree in computer science.
However, with the increased number of self-taught programmers, the education criteria are getting more and more optional.
If you have basic coding language knowledge and have some projects in your hand, you can apply for an entry-level programming job.
Also Read: How to write a software engineer resume?
3. Product Manager
Average Salary: $62,354 per year
Responsibilities
Product Managers are responsible for coordinating the development of new features for products.
They work with product development teams to identify which features should be developed and when, and the resources required to build those features.
Product Managers also help create roadmaps that lay out which features will be built over the next few months, quarters, or years.
They are also responsible for managing resources like budgets and timelines during the development process so that a project stays on track while still meeting its goals.
They must also keep up with industry trends so they can adapt their roadmaps accordingly and stay ahead of competitors' products by offering innovative solutions before they do.
Skills
- Product Management
- Competitive Analysis
- Product Design
- Market Research
- Product Strategy
- Project Management
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in computer science, business management, marketing, or a related field is necessary to become a product manager.
Along with that, any project management certification will increase your chances of getting a product management job. Apart from that, you need to have excellent communication skills.
Also Read: How to write a product manager resume?
4. Business Analyst
Average Salary: $55,793 per year
Responsibilities
The business analyst must have an in-depth understanding of the company's goals and objectives.
They are responsible for working with business stakeholders to understand their needs. Once they have gathered this information, they will be able to develop a solution that meets those needs.
Here are some responsibilities of a business analyst:
- Understand the business process, understand requirements, and identify the areas of improvement.
- Perform business process reviews to optimize business operations
- Conduct regular meetings with stakeholders to share ideas and findings
- Document the business analysis process and findings for future reference
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members to gather critical business information to improve business processes
- Perform user acceptance tests and develop project plans for monitoring performance
Essential Skills
- Business Process
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Software Development
- Scrum
- Data Warehouse
- Process Flow Diagrams
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in business or a similar field is required to become a business analyst or an MBA. Apart from that, excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and conceptual thinking skills are required to become a business analyst.
Also Read: How to write a business analyst resume?
5. Financial Analyst
Average Salary: $56,203 to $68,403 per year
Responsibilities
A financial analyst is someone who studies financial information and data to determine the value of a company or investment. They may also conduct market research to help companies determine what products are likely to be popular with consumers or how to price their services.
Financial analysts provide guidance for businesses and individuals making investment decisions.
Financial analysts often work for banks, hedge funds, insurance companies, or other financial institutions.
Given below are some of the job descriptions of a financial analyst:
- Analyze financial data and research macro & microeconomic situations to determine future strategies
- Evaluate capital expenditures and profits
- Identify financial trends and conduct risk assessments to come up with sound financial strategies
- Provide recommendations to stakeholders based on financial trends to maximize profit
Skills
- Financial Statements
- Financial Models
- Variance Analysis
- Customer Service
- Data Analysis
- Pivot Tables
- Annual Budget
- ERP
- Financial Management
Requirements
Financial analysts typically have a bachelor's degree in finance or economics. They may also be required to have CFA certification or another type of professional designation from an organization like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Also Read: How to write a financial analyst resume?
6. UX Designer
Average Salary: $91,027 per year
Responsibilities
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Conduct user research to understand customer needs, preferences, and pain points in order to inform design decisions
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Create wireframes, prototypes, and mockups to visualize and test user interfaces
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Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, to ensure that the final product aligns with user-centered design principles
7. Marketing Associate
Average Salary: $40059 per year
Responsibilities
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Assist in the development and execution of marketing campaigns across various channels, including social media, email, and digital advertising
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Conduct market research to identify target audiences, analyze competition, and gather insights to refine marketing strategies
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Create and update marketing materials such as brochures, presentations, and website content to effectively communicate product or service offerings
Also Read: What are some commonly asked marketing assistant interview questions?
8. Investment Banking Analyst
Average Salary: $76,541 per year
Responsibilities
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Analyze financial data and market trends to support investment decisions and recommendations
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Create financial models and valuation reports for potential mergers, acquisitions, or investment opportunities
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Assist in the preparation of client presentations and pitch materials for business development and investor relations
Also Read: What do finance jobs pay?
9. Social Media Manager
Average Salary: $71,177 per year
Responsibilities
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Create and curate engaging content for social media platforms, including posts, images, and videos
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Monitor and analyze social media metrics to track the performance of campaigns and adjust strategies accordingly
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Respond to customer inquiries and comments on social media channels, maintaining a positive brand image
Also Read: How to make a social media resume?
10. HR Associate
Average Salary: $53,980 per year
Responsibilities
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Assist in the recruitment process by posting job openings, screening resumes, and scheduling interviews
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Maintain employee records and documentation, ensuring compliance with HR policies and regulations
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Support HR managers in employee onboarding, orientation, and training programs
Also Read: How to land HR jobs?
11. Systems Analyst
Average Salary: $77,964 per year
Responsibilities
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Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and document business requirements for IT systems and applications
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Analyze and troubleshoot technical issues, proposing solutions to improve system efficiency and functionality
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Create detailed system specifications and diagrams to guide developers in system design and implementation
Also Read: What are some good system analyst resume examples?
12. Sales Representative
Average Salary: $68,445 per year
Responsibilities
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Identify and prospect potential customers through cold calls, emails, and networking events
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Deliver product or service presentations and demonstrations to showcase value and address customer needs
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Negotiate and close sales deals, meet sales targets, and maintain strong customer relationships
Also Read: What are the top interview questions for sales representatives?
13. Database Analyst
Average Salary: $62,401 per year
Responsibilities
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Design, develop, and maintain databases, ensuring data accuracy, security, and performance
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Extract and analyze data from databases to provide insights for decision-making and reporting
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Collaborate with IT teams to troubleshoot database issues and optimize database performance
Also Read: What are some of the must-have Data skills in 2023?
14. Java Developer
Average Salary: $81,972 per year
Responsibilities
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Write, test, and maintain Java code for software applications, ensuring code quality and reliability
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Collaborate with software engineers and architects to design and implement software solutions
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Debug and resolve software defects and issues, and participate in code reviews for quality assurance
Also Read: How to become a java developer?
15. Paralegal
Average Salary: $43,685 per year
Responsibilities
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Assist attorneys in legal research, document preparation, and case management
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Draft legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, and affidavits, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal standards
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Maintain and organize legal files, track court deadlines, and communicate with clients and opposing parties as needed
Also Read: How much do paralegals earn?
16. Customer Service Associate
Average Salary: $39,534 per year
Responsibilities
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Respond to customer inquiries, resolve issues, and provide product or service information through various communication channels, including phone, email, and chat
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Maintain accurate customer records and update information in databases
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Follow company policies and procedures to ensure excellent customer service and satisfaction
Also Read: How to land customer service jobs in 2023?
17. Real-estate Agent
Average Salary: $57,162 per year
Responsibilities
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Assist clients in buying, selling, or renting properties by conducting property searches, showing properties, and negotiating transactions
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Market properties through advertising and networking to attract potential buyers or renters
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Stay informed about real estate market trends, regulations, and local property values to provide expert advice to clients
Also Read: What are some common interview questions for real estate agents?
18. Accountant
Average Salary: $58,501 per year
Responsibilities
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Prepare financial statements, reports, and budgets, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting principles
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Assist with financial audits and tax filings, including gathering necessary documentation and records
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Analyze financial data to identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for cost savings or revenue generation
19. Content Strategist
Average Salary: $63,264 per year
Responsibilities
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Develop content strategies and plans aligned with business objectives and target audience needs
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Create and edit content for various digital platforms, including websites, blogs, and social media, maintaining brand consistency and voice
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Analyze content performance metrics and user engagement to refine content strategies and optimize content for SEO and audience engagement
20. Web Developer
Average Salary: $67,828 per year
Responsibilities
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Design and develop user-friendly and responsive websites and web applications using programming languages and web development frameworks
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Collaborate with designers and content creators to ensure visually appealing and functional web interfaces
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Perform website maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and implement security measures to protect against cyber threats
Also Read: How to become a web developer?
Conclusion
In conclusion, high-paying entry-level jobs aren't just a dream; they're within reach.
With impressive average salaries and responsibilities that fuel growth, these positions offer a path to financial stability and professional fulfillment.
Whether you're starting your career or considering a change, seize these opportunities, harness your unique skills, and embark on a journey toward a bright and prosperous future. Your career dreams await!
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