An entry level job is a role designed for people with little or no experience in a field, and it is where most careers begin. The difficulty is that the label has become unreliable. Some postings promise real training and deliver it, while others ask for years of experience under an entry level title. This guide separates the genuine starting points from the noise. You will find a plain definition, pay figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the best entry level jobs in six fields, options for people with no experience or no degree, and a practical plan for getting hired.
Quick answer: The fastest routes into work are support and help desk roles, customer service and sales development, healthcare support roles with short training, and paid apprenticeships in the trades. Roles in web development, marketing and data usually ask for proof of skill, such as a portfolio, instead of years on the job.
How this guide was researched: pay and education details come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, using May 2024 wage data. Other statistics are attributed to their sources where they appear, and the sources are listed at the end.
What Is an Entry Level Job?
An entry level job is a position that expects little or no prior experience in the field. For some people it is a first job ever. For others it is the first role after a career change. The work is usually task based, closely supervised and paired with training, which is what separates it from a mid level role where you own projects and outcomes.
Job titles give clues, though they are not standardized. Words such as assistant, coordinator, associate, junior and trainee usually point to a beginner friendly role, while the same title can mean different things at a startup and at a large company.
The bigger problem is experience inflation. A Zippia analysis of postings from 2023, reported by Coursera, found that 38.4 percent of entry level postings asked for at least three years of experience. Coursera also notes that postings tend to describe a company wish list rather than a strict minimum. One recruiting firm, Careerscape, suggests applying when you meet roughly 60 to 70 percent of the listed requirements. Treat that as a rule of thumb, not a guarantee, but it is a good reason not to rule yourself out too early.
Entry level versus mid level
| Entry level | Mid level | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical experience | Roughly none to two years | Several years |
| Supervision | Close, with training provided | Works with more independence |
| Scope | Tasks and support work | Owns projects and results |
| Common titles | Assistant, coordinator, associate, junior, trainee | Specialist, senior associate, manager (varies by company) |
How Much Do Entry Level Jobs Pay?
Pay is where many guides mislead. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish a single starting salary for each occupation. It publishes the median, which is the midpoint for all workers in that job, from beginners to veterans. Starting pay is usually lower than the median, so use the figures below as a ceiling check, not a promise. For context, the BLS reports a median annual wage of $49,500 across all occupations in May 2024.
| Role | BLS median annual wage, May 2024 | Typical entry education per BLS |
|---|---|---|
| Computer user support specialists | $60,340 | Varies by employer |
| Web developers | $90,930 | Bachelor’s degree is typical, but credentials may not be needed if you can show projects |
| Medical assistants | $44,200 | Postsecondary certificate or associate degree, or on the job training |
| Customer service representatives | $42,830 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Outlook matters as much as pay. The BLS projects employment of customer service representatives to decline 5 percent from 2024 to 2034 and employment of computer support specialists to decline 3 percent, while web developers and digital designers are projected to grow 7 percent. A shrinking occupation can still have openings as people move on, but it is worth knowing which direction a field is heading before you commit to it. BLS figures are national, so pay in your city and at your employer will differ.
Best Entry Level Jobs by Field
The roles below were chosen for accessibility, pay potential and room to grow, not for popularity. Rankings differ depending on what they measure. WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of entry level occupations placed hardware engineer, engineer and certified nursing assistant at the top, but two of those three usually require a degree, so the lists below also include routes that do not.
Technology and IT
Technology roles often care more about proof of skill than a long work history.
- Help desk Tier 1. You are the first line of support, handling basic hardware, software and network problems and escalating the harder ones. Robert Half notes these roles are usually open to people with little or no tech experience, and that CompTIA A+ or the Google IT Support Professional Certificate can strengthen a resume.
- Product support specialist. You help customers get value from a specific software product, troubleshoot bugs and pass technical issues to engineers.
- QA analyst. You write and run test cases, report bugs and confirm fixes. Attention to detail and clear writing matter most.
- Junior web developer. You build layouts from design mockups, fix browser issues and connect simple APIs. Robert Half advises that a polished portfolio often carries more weight than a resume, and that two or three small projects can be enough to show what you can do.
- Data analyst. You clean data, build reports and explain findings. Practice with public datasets, and structure each project as problem, analysis, insight and recommendation.
If you are choosing a first programming language, it helps to know the main styles of programming, and our guide to functional programming languages covers one of them.
Marketing, Content and Sales
These roles reward people who can show results on a small scale.
- Marketing coordinator or associate. You help plan and run campaigns, assist with events and track performance. Comfort with spreadsheets and digital marketing tools helps.
- Social media coordinator. You schedule posts, respond to the audience and report on what worked.
- Content writer. You write articles, emails or web copy. Three good samples matter more than a job history.
- SEO assistant. You support keyword research, on page updates and reporting.
- Sales development representative. You find and qualify leads for a sales team. Careerscape lists this as a low friction role because employers usually provide training and prioritize communication skills over credentials.
Coordinator roles are the first step toward the marketing manager track, and knowing what that job involves helps you plan your next two or three moves. If you want to write for search, learn the basics of SEO content strategy before you build your samples. In sales, the habits that drive sales performance, such as disciplined follow up and good qualifying questions, are worth learning early.
Healthcare
Healthcare support roles hire steadily and often have defined training paths.
- Certified nursing assistant. You help patients with daily care under nursing supervision. Training is typically state approved, and requirements vary by state, so check your own state’s rules first.
- Medical assistant. The BLS says medical assistants typically complete a postsecondary program, such as a certificate or associate degree, although those without one may learn through on the job training or an apprenticeship. Some employers also ask for Basic Life Support certification.
- Pharmacy technician. You help prepare and dispense medication under a pharmacist. Licensing or certification rules depend on the state.
- Medical records specialist. You compile, process and maintain patient records, which suits detail oriented people.
Longer routes exist too. Our timeline for how long it takes to become an ultrasound tech shows what a multi year healthcare path looks like.
Business, Finance and Administration
- Administrative assistant. Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is typically the main technical requirement, according to Careerscape.
- Customer service representative. The BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry requirement. Many employers train new hires on their own products and software.
- Human resources assistant. You maintain records, support onboarding and schedule interviews. Career.io notes that most positions ask for at least a two year degree.
- Accounts payable or bookkeeping clerk. You process invoices and payments and reconcile accounts.
- Junior financial analyst. You prepare reports and analyze budgets, usually with a business or finance degree.
Customer service builds skills in customer relations that carry over into sales, account management and operations, which is one reason it is such a common starting point.
Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships
Electrician, HVAC, plumbing and welding apprenticeships pay you while you learn. Careerscape notes that trade apprenticeships typically require a high school diploma and physical fitness, with no prior experience needed. Programs are run by employers, unions and training organizations, and you can search registered options at Apprenticeship.gov, which is operated by the US Department of Labor. Expect physical work, safety training and state licensing steps later in the path.
Creative and Self-Employed Starts
Creative work leans on portfolios. Career.io notes that most photographers are self-employed, and that photography assistant roles let you learn on the job. Junior graphic design and freelance writing follow a similar pattern: build samples, take small paid projects, then grow. The trade-off is irregular income at the start. If you are weighing a freelance route, our guide on how to start a photography business walks through the business side.
Entry level roles compared
| Field | Common way in | Degree usually needed? | How to show skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and IT | Help desk, support, QA, junior developer | Not always | Certification, portfolio, public data projects |
| Marketing, content and sales | Coordinator, writer, sales development | Often preferred, not always required | Writing samples, small campaign case study |
| Healthcare | Nursing assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician | Certificate or state approved training is common | Completed program, certification |
| Business and administration | Assistant, customer service, clerk | High school diploma to two year degree | Software skills, references |
| Skilled trades | Paid apprenticeship | High school diploma | Pre-apprenticeship courses, safety training |
| Creative and self-employed | Assistant or freelance work | Usually no | Portfolio of finished work |
Entry Level Jobs With No Experience or No Degree
Plenty of work is open to people without experience or a degree, though the two are different questions. Indeed reported that 52 percent of job postings in 2024 did not include a formal education requirement, a figure cited by Coursera. Experience is a separate hurdle, and it is the one most often inflated.
Roles that tend to accept beginners include customer service, retail and warehouse work, help desk support, sales development and trade apprenticeships. Be realistic about pay. Jobs that require nothing up front usually start near the lower end of their range, and the BLS median for customer service representatives, for example, is $42,830 for workers at all experience levels. The upside is speed and training, plus a way to build a work history.
| Role | Typical requirement | How to show you are ready |
|---|---|---|
| Customer service representative | High school diploma or equivalent, short training | Any customer facing experience, even in retail or food service |
| Help desk Tier 1 | Varies, certificate helps | CompTIA A+ or similar, a home lab, clear troubleshooting examples |
| Sales development representative | Often no degree | Clear communication, a sample outreach message |
| Trade apprentice | High school diploma | Pre-apprenticeship courses, reliability, safety awareness |
If you have no job history to point to, build proof another way. Volunteering, class projects, short certificates and small freelance jobs all count when you describe them in terms of what you did and what happened. Some people also start with remote, task based work such as data annotation work, though you should research any employer carefully before you sign up or share personal details.
Remote Entry Level Jobs and What AI Is Changing
Remote and hybrid options exist across customer support, content writing, junior development and data roles, but competition is higher because the applicant pool is not limited to one city. Expect to show that you can work independently and communicate clearly in writing.
Employers are also raising their expectations about tools. Robert Half advises early career tech candidates to use AI tools and copilots to troubleshoot faster, write cleaner code and speed up analysis. The same idea applies outside tech: be able to explain how you use AI to research, draft and check your work, and be honest about where you still verify the results yourself. Employers also expect comfort with everyday productivity software, such as spreadsheets, shared documents and team messaging apps, so list the ones you use well.
Remote postings attract scams, so read the red flags section below before you apply.
How to Choose the Right Entry Level Job
The best first job is the one that moves you toward what you want, not simply the one with the highest salary. Use this short scorecard to compare offers.
| Question | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Starting pay | Enough to cover your costs, checked against the BLS median for the role |
| Training | A real onboarding plan, a mentor or a structured program |
| Credential needed | Whether you need a certificate or license, and who pays for it |
| Time to first offer | Some roles hire in weeks, others need months of coursework |
| Growth path | A clear next role and the skills required to reach it |
WalletHub’s ranking uses a similar idea, weighing immediate opportunity, growth potential and job hazards, which is a useful way to think about any role. Coursera notes that experts recommend staying at least a year in a first job so you build enough experience to move on. Write a short professional development plan for that first year so you know which skills to build and which stretch assignments to ask for.
How to Get Hired With Little or No Experience
Build a resume from what you have
Include internships, part time jobs, coursework, volunteering and school projects. Career.io recommends highlighting education, certifications and relevant coursework, and quantifying results wherever you can. Tailor the resume to each posting, since many employers use applicant tracking systems that scan for the skills named in the job description.
Show proof of skill with small projects
Two or three finished projects can do more than a long list of duties. For web roles, publish a small site with a short README that explains your approach. For data roles, analyze a public dataset and write up the findings. For marketing and content roles, create a one page case study of a small campaign or three writing samples. A simple site to host your work helps, and you can follow a step by step process to build a personal website without much cost.
Search in more than one place
Use company career pages, job boards and staffing firms, and ask people for introductions. Careerscape suggests short informational interviews, a 20 minute conversation with someone doing the job you want, to learn what the work involves and what employers look for. Internships are also worth pursuing: a 2025 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 62 percent of internships led to a job offer, according to Coursera.
Prepare for interviews
Expect questions about why you want the role, how you handle a problem and how you learn new things. Prepare two or three short stories from school, work or volunteering. Then ask about training, what the first 90 days look like and how success is measured, which shows you are thinking about doing the job well.
Common Mistakes and Red Flags
- Treating requirements as pass or fail. Postings often describe an ideal candidate, so apply if you meet most of the core requirements.
- Ignoring fake entry level postings. A listing that asks for several years of experience may be a mid level job with the wrong label.
- Paying to get hired. Legitimate employers do not ask you to pay for training, equipment or placement up front, and you should never deposit a check and send money back.
- Unpaid or commission only roles described as salaried. Read the compensation terms before you accept.
- Skipping the employer research. Look up the company, read reviews and confirm the job exists on the company’s own site.
Entry Level Jobs FAQ
What is considered an entry level job?
A role that expects little or no experience in the field and usually includes training. Titles such as assistant, coordinator, associate, junior and trainee are common signals, though they vary by company.
Can I get an entry level job with no experience?
Yes, in many fields. Customer service representatives typically need a high school diploma, according to the BLS, and help desk, sales development and trade apprenticeships often accept beginners. Volunteering, projects and certificates can stand in for work history.
Which entry level jobs pay the most?
Technology and engineering roles usually lead rankings, but many need a degree. The BLS median for web developers is $90,930, though that includes experienced workers, so beginners typically start lower.
What is the easiest entry level job to get?
Careerscape names sales development, IT help desk and trade apprenticeships as the lowest friction paths, and customer service is also widely available. Easiest to get is not always the best fit, so check pay and growth too.
Are entry level jobs full time?
Both exist. Many entry level jobs are full time, while others are part time or temporary and may not include benefits, so confirm hours and benefits before you accept.
How long should I stay in my first job?
Experts cited by Coursera recommend at least one year, which gives you enough experience to move on with a stronger resume.
Key Takeaways
Start by reading the posting for the real requirements, then compare roles on pay, training, credentials and growth. Use BLS figures as a reality check, build two or three pieces of proof if you lack experience, and search through more channels than job boards alone. A first job does not have to be perfect, but it should teach you something and point toward the next step.
