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Entry-level jobs are junior level positions that often appeal to applicants at the beginning of their career, or people or changing to a new industry. Many of these positions have good opportunities for progression and offer training in a particular field to progress to high paid entry-level jobs within an organization.
Entry-level jobs don’t necessarily have low starting salaries. The most highly paid roles are usually those which require desirable skills, are most in-demand, or are paid based on your performance.
This means that, in most instances, you’ll need prior training or education in a particular field to justify being highly paid – but it is not always the case.
Whether you’re early in your career, or if you want to change industries, it’s worth learning what skills are most valued by employers if you want to pursue high paid entry level jobs that pay well.
Here’s our list of 8 highly paid entry-level jobs.
*DISCLAIMER*
Just be aware:
– This is a selection of well-paid jobs from a variety of industries, not a countdown of the most highly paid
– The salaries are approximate and may vary depending on the role
– The qualifications required are just a guide, and also may vary depending on the role
Learn How To Write An Entry Level CV and How to Write An Entry Level Cover Letter to give yourself the best chance of prospective employers inviting you for interviews.
Software Engineer
Salary: $38,000 – £50,000
Qualifications: Computer Science / Mathematics.
As we become ever more dependent on technology, it’s no surprise that more companies are becoming increasingly reliant on software engineers.
Investment in software engineering is growing and there’s a demand for people who understand data and computing.
It often attracts people who are logical, analytical and enjoy working with numbers. There are plenty of opportunities out there – if you’ve got the skills to make sense of it.
Software engineers write and test code, design new software programs or apps, and know all about computer operating systems.
So, if there’s a technical glitch, you’ll be the one to call.
Financial Analyst
Salary: $40,000 – £50,000
Qualifications: Degree in Maths / Economics / Business.
Naturally, people are paid well for the responsibility of handling other people’s money. Being a financial analyst is one of the highest-paid professions at entry-level, and it has good progression opportunities.
Financial analysts collect and review financial data. They provide recommendations on business decisions or investments.
It’s a competitive and highly skilled environment and you can’t simply ‘learn on the job’. It requires specialist knowledge, so you’ll need a degree in maths, economics, or statistics before you can apply for anything entry-level.
Like many of the jobs on this list, it’s a long-term commitment. However, once you get in the door, you’ll be well rewarded generous starting salary.
Teacher
Salary: $20,000 – $25,000
Qualifications: Bachelors Degree / Teaching Licence.
Teaching might not always have the best opportunities for progression, but it does have one of the most solid entry-level salaries – especially if you find work straight after graduating.
One of the benefits of teaching is that you can come from almost any professional background, just as long as you pass the relevant qualifications.
You can teach at various levels and specialize in different areas, so it’s possible to find your niche within the profession. Plus, you get one of the main perks of teaching – long holidays.
It’s also possible to teach abroad, especially if you’re interested in traveling. Teaching English as a foreign language is a useful skill that’s currently in high demand in many exotic places around the world!
Engineer
Salary: £29,000 – $50,000
Qualifications: Degree in Engineering / Relevant apprenticeship or work experience.
There are multiple pathways within the field of engineering. For example, you could specialize in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering, and apply your skills in several different industries.
It requires problem solving skills and analytical thinking. As an engineer, you’ll be good at turning ideas into real-life solutions and designing products.
There are many advantages to having technical expertise and you can be paid well for it. It can provide plenty of job opportunities in manufacturing, construction, and architecture, to name a few.
Engineers will need prior knowledge of their specialist area, but you can also learn on the job – you don’t necessarily need a background in higher education if you go through an apprenticeship scheme.
Web Developer
Salary: $24,000 – $37,000
Qualifications: Computer Science / Website Design / Software Engineering
Nowadays, websites are part of our everyday life, and we expect them to be fast, well designed, and easy to use.
It makes sense that there is lots of investment into this sector, so there will rarely be a shortage of work. This means there are plenty of opportunities for people with the relevant skills.
Web developers create and maintain websites to a high standard. They work with software and databases, and have skills in coding and fixing bugs.
One huge benefit is that prior education is not a requirement. If you’re passionate about web design and enjoy doing it as a hobby, you may already be highly qualified and able to it professionally.
You can start with the basics using free online services, including WordPress (LINK) and Squarespace (LINK).
There is often the potential for remote working – either working for an agency or as a freelancer – and specializing in particular areas can lead to progression, larger contracts, and, of course, a higher salary.
Buyer
Salary: $25,000 – £32,000
Qualifications: Business / Accounting
You can be a buyer in many different industries, and the role can vary depending on the company you work for.
Buyers often source products, labor, or materials, and responsibilities can include managing inventories, monitoring purchase orders, and communicating with suppliers.
It requires an analytical brain, attention to detail, and often a degree in a relevant subject. You may have to start in a junior role – such as ‘buying assistant’ – but it can provide a good entry-level salary and progression opportunities.
It may also be possible to find a buying role in an area that suits you. For example, if you’re passionate about fashion, you could become a fashion buyer for a retail company.
Tutor
Salary: $19,000 – £25,000
Qualifications: Strong knowledge of a certain field
If you’re knowledgeable in a particular field, you can be paid for your expertise.
Popular subjects include mathematics, science, English, and foreign languages, but it’s possible to be a tutor in anything, as long as there’s a demand for your skills.
A main advantage of tutoring is the flexibility of working, and you can do it alongside having a full-time job.
It can be tricky creating a network of contacts and building your reputation, but the financial rewards can be well worth it, especially if you love teaching a particular subject.
You can also sign up to different websites to help you find clients and work online. This can be a good way to get started and build your confidence.
For example:
GoStudent
Recruitment Consultant
Salary: $27,000 – $50,000
Qualifications: Background in sales / Being a driven, confident person.
Recruitment is a booming industry, meaning there are often high paid entry level jobs and opportunities to be found.
Employers use recruitment companies to find candidates who are well-suited to a particular role.
Recruitment consultants find these people, determine their preferred career direction, and place them with a company client who has paid for the service.
Often, they are paid in commissions (on top of a base salary) for every person they successfully place in a job. This means overall salary depends on performance, but there is the potential to earn very well, even at entry-level.
Recruitment is about having the right kind of personality for the role, and it doesn’t necessarily require prior education or training. It can be a fast-paced, competitive, and challenging environment to work in, so it may not be a good fit for everyone.
References
Prospects.com https://www.prospects.ac.uk
Career Explorer https://www.careerexplorer.com
Investopedia https://www.investopedia.com
Glassdoor https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/index.htm
Payscale https://www.payscale.com
Salary.com https://www.salary.com
Indeed https://www.indeed.com
WordPress www.wordpress.com
Squarespace www.squarespace.com
