15 Entry-Level Jobs That Pay Well (With Duties and Salaries)

Updated January 28, 2023

If you are seeking an entry-level job, it is helpful to know which opportunities offer the greatest earning potential. While your income will likely increase throughout your career, starting with a high-paying job is a great place to begin. In this article, we provide background information and a list of 15 great entry-level jobs with high pay to help in your job search.

What does entry-level mean?

An entry-level job is typically the most junior position in an organization. These roles typically require less responsibility and experience than mid-level or management positions. Entry-level employees may also receive more training than those in senior roles, and these positions are typically the starting point for professionals hoping to launch a career in a specific industry or start a new career overall.

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High-paying entry-level jobs

While the best job for you depends on your skills, interests, goals, core values and education, you might consider these 15 high-paying entry-level jobs as you begin your job search. These are just a few of the many lucrative entry-level jobs currently available for new graduates and experienced professionals alike. As you begin your job search, remember that the best entry-level jobs not only pay well, they also help you learn, grow and take the first step on a new career path:

1. Public relations assistant

National Average Salary: $21.52 per hour

Primary Duties: A PR assistant is responsible for supporting PR teams by assisting with the daily functions of a PR firm or agency to ensure client satisfaction. They help with conducting research, preparing materials and facilitating communication between account executives and clients. They may also assist in developing presentations and handling correspondences between clients and more senior-level employees.

2. Social media manager

National Average Salary: $20.31 per hour

Primary Duties: A social media manager is responsible for representing a company consistently over a number of social media platforms. They plan, develop and deploy social media campaigns on behalf of a company that targets a specific audience and support the company's brand development. They monitor and analyze social media performance like the level of audience engagement and might also be responsible for responding to questions and concerns from followers and customers. Social media managers make sure all social media posts adhere to the brand's guidelines and assist with visual design, promotional and conversion strategies.

3. Marketing associate

National Average Salary: $16.73 per hour

Primary Duties: A marketing associate typically works with a marketing manager or account executive within a marketing department and is responsible for helping brainstorm, develop, launch and measure inbound and outbound marketing efforts to help businesses reach customers and prospects. They may conduct market research to identify trends in consumer habits and new opportunities for clients to take advantage of. Marketing associates might also work with marketing design and content teams to create original advertising materials for digital and print use and organize promotional events.

4. Copywriter

National Average Salary: $54,673 per year

Primary Duties: Copywriters work for advertising and marketing agencies, directly for a business or as freelancers. They're responsible for applying marketing principles like search engine optimization to compose compelling copy that engages readers. Copy may accompany visual elements in ads, videos and other types of marketing content. Copywriters produce different styles of content such as fun taglines, white papers, blogs and creative website content. They may collaborate with art directors and designers on advertising pieces or webpages.

5. Human resources specialist

National Average Salary: $24.89 per hour

Primary Duties: An HR specialist works as part of a human resources team and is responsible for explaining policies and procedures to employees and issuing and processing new hire documents. They update employment records when employees are hired, transferred, promoted or terminated and take care of employee compensation and benefits. Human resource specialists may also be involved directly in recruiting and hiring candidates and may perform other specialized tasks based on their role in an organization.

6. Paralegal

National Average Salary: $63,152 per year

Primary Duties: A paralegal works for a law office and performs administrative and research tasks for attorneys. They are responsible for case research, client interviews and preparing courtroom presentations. They also usually draft and file legal documents such as contracts, wills and real estate closures and help attorneys during hearings or trials. Some paralegals perform specialty tasks related to the management and development of certain types of cases like divorces.

7. Sales representative

National Average Salary: $57,174 per year

Primary Duties: A sales representative is responsible for selling products and services to prospective and existing customers through tactics such as cold calling, emailing and on-site appointments. They may perform product demos and are responsible for answering questions and eliminating concerns customers may have throughout the purchasing process. They work closely with customers, understanding their needs and wants in order to customize solutions for them.

8. Web developer

National Average Salary: $29.74 per hour

Primary Duties: A web developer usually works for an agency or directly for a client, and designs and codes websites based on design wireframes, templates or client instruction. They apply web design principles to create user-friendly and visually appealing website experiences. Web developers are skilled in coding and normally fluent in HTML, JavaScript and CSS computer languages.

9. IT technician

National Average Salary: $58,243 per year

Primary Duties: An IT technician diagnoses computer and network problems, monitors computer systems and installs and upgrades software and hardware. They are also responsible for performing tests on computers and other equipment to make sure it works properly and discover any malfunctions that need fixing. A technician may also handle maintenance requests and technology demos for company employees or individual clients.

10. Financial analyst

National Average Salary: $68,473 per year

Primary Duties: A financial analyst collects and analyzes financial data from a company to create models that support an organization's financial decisions and goals. They help companies make smart financial choices based on the current and projected performance of stocks, bonds and other investments. They are also responsible for identifying market trends, assisting in quarterly or annual financial forecasting and offering expert financial advice to senior management.

11. Database analyst

National Average Salary: $38.49 per hour

Primary Duties: A database analyst, also called a database engineer, is responsible for managing the design, development, delivery and all other aspects of database systems. They gather and organize large amounts of data into databases that offer organizations user-friendly systems to easily input and pull information from. They may also be hired to updated current databases to better serve a growing and evolving business. Database analysts are usually employed by technology companies that specialize in computer systems.

12. Environmental engineer

National Average Salary: $75,535 per year

Primary Duties: Environmental engineers work on behalf of government agencies or private companies and are tasked with helping develop solutions for various environmental issues such as recycling and waste management, pollution control, water management and air pollution control. Their ultimate goal is to alleviate environmental problems to enhance the quality of life and protect humans and nature from harm.

13. User experience designer

National Average Salary: $80,288 per year

Primary Duties: A user experience designer, also called a UX designer, conducts user testing on websites, mobile applications and other technologies to determine how people use various software solutions and what design is most user-friendly. They interview and survey people to gather information, then translate this information into sitemaps, wireframes and product prototypes. They also design the overall look and feel of websites, software applications and other technologies to create great user experiences.

14. Registered nurse

National Average Salary: $38.56 per hour

Primary Duties: A registered nurse (RN) is responsible for providing care to patients. Their tasks include recording patients' symptoms and medical history, checking patient's vitals, performing diagnostic tests, analysing test results, administering correct medications and assisting with post-procedure rehabilitation. They also help educate patients and families about a variety of medical issues and disease prevention.

15. Dental hygienist

National Average Salary: $45.28 per hour

Primary Duties: A dental hygienist works at a dental office underneath a leading dentist and is responsible for cleaning patient teeth, taking X-rays, examining teeth for cavities, gingivitis and other dental issues or diseases. They also provide advice on dental care, sterilize instruments and assist dentists during procedures like fillings and extractions.

Now that we've provided background information and a list of 15 great entry-level jobs that pay well, you'll be more informed while conducting your job search.

Salary figures reflect data listed on the quoted websites at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate’s experience, academic background and location.