9 Entry-Level Jobs that Pay Well

During a job search, everyone hopes to land that perfect job that will help you earn a lot of money, even though the majority of people start at an entry-level position.

As an unwritten rule, most entry-level jobs do not offer a substantial amount of money to the potential workers, as they value experience more than willingness and tenacity.

Do not get me wrong, tenacity and willingness to learn and better yourself are important traits every worker should work on, but the experience is something that will land you the position.

There are, however, a couple of entry-level job positions that are paying well, which will be discussed in this article.

In this article, we will thoroughly discuss these particular entry-level job positions that pay well, what they are and what they are all about, and how much money they bring to the table.

In addition, we will discuss traits that will be helpful to you in any job position you apply for, the characteristics which you will need to work on and adopt in your work life.

At the end of the article, you will find a questionnaire with frequent questions about the topics discussed in this article, complemented with the helpful answers to those questions.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE MEANING OF “ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS”?

An entry-level job is any position in a company that is considered to be a junior or starting position. These positions usually do not require a huge deal of responsibility or experience.

They are seen as introductory positions to newly hired people, having a goal of introducing them to the company’s style of work and its goals.

In addition, it also serves for the company to assess the person and see whether they are a good fit for the higher positions in the company in the near future.

Most workers in these entry-level positions often receive training from the senior workers of the company, meaning that it is a common starting point of many professionals who want to launch a career.

It is important to be at your best while being hired to an entry-level position, as every move of yours is being tested and assessed.

There is a high chance that you can build a solid career in the company if you leave a good impression on your employers but you have to start that voyage from square one: an entry-level position.

These positions usually do not bring as much money as you needed or expected but there are a lot of entry-level jobs that actually are pretty lucrative, due to the increased demand of people with a particular set of skills.

Here are some of the jobs that are considered entry-level positions but are recognized as jobs that can bring you a fairly good amount of money.

1. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Informational Technology has been booming in recent years. It is definitely not a long shot to try and look for a job in any branch of the IT sector.

For example, software developers should not be worried, as their jobs and skill sets are in the highest demand.

According to the Glassdoor website, the average salary for an entry-level software developer position is 67,500 dollars per year.

In addition, the lowest and the highest numbers for the same position are in the range between 50,000 dollars and 100,000 dollars, both per year, according to the Payscale website.

Another interesting thing is the number of programming languages. For example, an entry-level job for a programmer who has learned to code in Java programming language is expected to be around 70,000 dollars.

The pay differs from programming language to programming language, so it is for the best to, at least, be acquainted with as many programming languages as you are able to.

The more you know, the better the chances to have a bright future in an IT-based company, around the world.

The reasons why software developers are so popular and in-demand are several. Firstly, whenever you go, everything is run by particular software.

Every business, no matter how small or big, is in need of being helped by software. It can be as simple as a website running to more complex actions, like making an application that will help the business in any way.

Secondly, the software is in need of constant maintenance. Writing code and successfully executing it is not the end of the job.

The code needs to be maintained and worked on. It should be upgraded in order to do its job as efficiently as possible.

Sometimes the software gets old and needs to be refreshed or completely overhauled. The coding job is a commitment and that is why it is so popular and in demand.

Finally, new platforms and programming languages are constantly coming out. The Android system came out in 2008. Python programming language first appeared 30 years ago but had its first stable release in 2020.

New programming languages are and will be coming out and there will be a demand for people who know how to write codes using a particular programming language.

If you wish to know more about why software engineering will be a popular career choice for a large number of years, check this article out.

2. WEB DEVELOPMENT

Another good IT branch is web development. Web developer position is a sought after position in nearly any company.

Web development is popular due to the internet becoming an essential part of everyday life. The accessibility of information is what companies want to use for their own promotion.

Every company needs to have a website with their information, their goals and projects, and other important smaller pieces of information, such as a physical and electronic address, phone number, and other contact information.

You need web developers to make the website and you need people to run the website background processes.

For an entry-level web developer, the average salary of 70,000 dollars per year is enough to become interested. The number rises depending on the role and the amount of experience one has.

Web development is important because it is a quintessential tool for companies and businesses. It is quintessential for them because if they want their brands to be seen and heard, they need a website.

Building a good website is the main ingredient in reaching that goal, to reach that goal they have to attract customers, and an informative website will do that thing.

As previously mentioned, the internet has made people to be used to having any information they want a couple of clicks away from them.

That is why a business, in order to be successful, simply has to invest in a good website and into a great team of web developers. Web development has become an important marketing strategy.

Another great aspect of this job, aside from the salary, is the fact that you will work in a team of people, as with the majority of IT-based jobs.

This means that the team will also have the opportunity to learn from each other, improve on both their already acquired knowledge and the aspects of web development that were unknown to you.

There are a lot of opportunities to better yourself and your knowledge and learn how to work in a team of people.

If you are still on the fence about the whole web development thing, and still think that websites are not as important as everybody claim they are, here is an article that explains why they actually are important.

3. GRAPHIC DESIGN

Graphic design is an essential part of any project. Graphic designers are needed for various reasons. Their designs can be needed for various projects.

The projects can range from an online company logo design to more “offline” events, for example, a graphic depicting a certain product.

The usual salary for an entry-level position of a graphic designer is 35,000 dollars per year, according to Payscale. The salary is between 40,000 and 60,000, depending on the amount of experience.

Graphic design is a sought-after position and in high demand, with job positions open and available almost 24/7.

If you are still not in the know what graphic designers actually do, in the nutshell they can create posters, logos, and other materials, all depending on the employer and their needs.

The skill you would mostly need is a great understanding of graphic design programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, in addition to other smaller programs.

Here is an article about Kaitlin Mendoza, a graphic designer for Stampington & Company, California, who talks about the skill set a graphic designer must have and what to expect from this job.

The IT field is pretty popular nowadays and brings a lot of money to its workers. If you are interested in this field, here is another list of jobs that pay well from this particular field of expertise.

An interesting aspect of this job is that you will learn a lot from other experienced colleagues and can work on a couple of side projects in order to earn extra money.

4. DATA SCIENTIST

Data scientists are among the highest paid jobs on this list. The job of a data scientist is to organize disparate chunks of information into insightful data.

That insightful data can later be integrated into statistics and analytics, further helping companies to predict the demand of their customers or simply help them make better business decisions.

In this article, you can find detailed information about the purpose and tasks of data scientists. You can also find the fact that data scientist is one of the most promising jobs you can find today.

Data science is a job that requires the person to have a strong problem-solving capability, to be able to analytical and logical thinking.

According to Glassdoor, a data scientist intern can earn around 97,000 dollars, while the average salary for data scientists is 114,000 dollars.

It is a job that demands a lot of attention to details and a lot of work with figures. It can be exhausting at times, but so rewarding in the long run.

5. FINANCIAL ANALYST

The job of a financial analyst is closely tied to works related to banks, insurance companies, funds, and other businesses.

The primary goal of a financial analyst is to provide advice and guidance to their employers regarding their finances and investing decisions.

Another job of financial analysts is to keep track of different stock statuses, in addition to assessing the performance of bonds and many other investment types.

The salary of a financial analyst is around 60,000 dollars, while the inexperienced and “up and coming” financial analyst will earn 10 percent less, which is around 55,000 dollars per year, according to Payscale.

Financial analysts are important as they are the ones that give financial advice to companies, making them an important piece on the corporate chessboard.

They are the ones who are responsible for the analysis of the financial performance and have to predict the possible earnings of the company, by advising them how and where to invest or save the money.

6. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

The air traffic controller is one of the most important people at any airport. The primary goal of an air traffic controller is to control the air traffic by prevent airplane collisions and ease the air traffic flow, overall.

The air traffic controller only controls his own part of the air space. There is a set of rules they have to follow, for example, the distance between aircraft that they have to strictly follow to avoid accidents.

The job of an air traffic controller demands high degrees of concentration and dedication, as the smallest mistake can lead to an accident.

The job also demands a person who is well organized, good with mathematics and good computing skills. An additional skill that is of the highest importance is assertiveness and decisiveness.

The average salary of an air traffic controller is around 140,000 dollars, according to Glassdoor. The entry-level salary is around 100,000 dollars, but training lasts longer, as it is quite a demanding and stressful job.

7. MARKETING ASSOCIATE

The entry-level workers will have positions within a team whose job is to handle various jobs and responsibilities linked to marketing.

Marketing associates have the job of doing whatever the team needs them to do in order to ensure the team is functioning well.

The tasks usually entail administrative duties, various research and document revision, as well as being in the know of various rising trends.

If you want to know in detail about the job, how to apply and where would that career branch lead you, head to this article.

The entry-level salary for a marketing associate is 42,000 dollars; however, the salary rises with experience and can reach almost 70,000 dollars, according to Payscale.

8. SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Being a social media manager is one of the least stressful jobs on this list. Of course, it can be a lot of work, mostly because you are representing someone else and should be extremely careful.

In times where a company’s reputation has to be elevated, this job knows to be extremely time-demanding.

The main task of a social media manager is to organize social media campaigns, monitor customer opinions, and basically maintain high relations with everyone through social media.

All the aforementioned is done on the behalf of a company or an individual. A social media manager has to be careful about how they respond and what they write, as they should not be absent-minded or short-tempered.

There are a lot of skills a social media must-have, to name a few: strategist, creative, managerial skills and many more.

The average salary of a social media manager is around 50,000 dollars, according to Payscale. The entry-level salary is 40,000 dollars but you can easily learn the ropes and earn a raise in no time.

9. POWER PLANT OPERATOR

Being a power plant operator might sound like a job with a lot of responsibility. It actually is but the job pays well and is a popular job due to the employers from this field taking care of their employees.

In order to become a power plant operator, you only need to have formal training with an experienced power plant operator in the power plant they have applied for.

The training is long-term, but after passing the formal training, formal background checks and some physical health tests, you will be all set to start.

The task a power plant operator has to fulfill is to monitor voltage and electricity flow, to control the operating equipment, and man the operating equipment.

The salary depends on experience. The entry-level power plant operators would earn around 46,000 dollars per year, while senior level power plant operators can earn as much as 139,000 dollars per year.

If you wish to learn more about this job, about its requirements and duties, training and licenses, here is an article that might provide you with the necessary information.

CHARACTERISTICS EVERY YOUNG WORKER SHOULD HAVE

By having a couple of these characteristics, you can easily show your employers that they have made the right choice by hiring you.

Not just that, it can also help you work your job and fulfill your tasks better by improving yourself and instilling these traits into yourself.

Above all, employers value teamwork and communicative person. You will have a lot of advantages with your employer if they see that you know how to work with your team.

The ability to work well with others is essential in any job, especially in ones where working in a team is mandatory.

Employers will not have time to train you on how to work in teams. The sooner you learn how to play with others and improve on each other weaknesses, the better the chances to land a job long term.

Communication is closely linked with teamwork. Nobody likes a worker that holds information to them.

Open communication is better valued than a situation in which everybody has to work harder to get a word out of you instead of working harder to meet tasks’ deadlines.

Another important trait is having a positive attitude. To put it simply, having a positive attitude can make your presence enjoyable, which is of high importance in the workplace.

Sometimes there will be stressful situations that might become more bearable thanks to your positive attitude.

In addition, there is a high chance that your employer would see that you are a positive person and might boost your chances of being hired.

Having a positive attitude would have a positive impact on your personal life as well, not only your work life.

Here are a couple of more traits if the above ones are not enough for you or if you already have acquired them.

QUESTIONNAIRE

I am not satisfied with my entry-level salary, what should I do?

Nobody is ever satisfied with their entry-level salary. Have in mind that the number will be raised the more experience you gain with that particular company or individual.

I realized that I am not the right person for this job as I am not happy while working.

That is the point of an entry-level position. In addition to wanting to see whether you are the right person for the job, it is also showing yourself whether you see yourself working long term.

The best course of action is to quit and look for another career branch if you are in any way dissatisfied with your job because of any number of reasons.

I am not really a team player but I like this job where you work in a team. Should I go for it?

That depends on the amount of teamwork necessary. If you wholeheartedly dislike working in teams, then it is for the best to avoid jobs where teamwork is needed.

There are a lot of jobs where you can work on your own, but it is highly advisable to work on your teamwork as it can be highly beneficial to you.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, every one of us wants to land that perfect job that pays well. However, everybody must start at that square one that everyone dislikes.

It is disliked due to the amount of money it brings. But most people do not understand that in the long run, the salary will probably rise.

But there are jobs and positions that are entry-level and that bring a lot of money right away and especially after the experience has been gained.

Have in mind though that some of these jobs mentioned here are more stressful, simply as a balance to the amount of money that you might earn.

All in all, work on yourself and find a job that makes you comfortable doing. If salary is your primary concern, then any of these options will do well by you.