Employment in the technology industry is projected to grow by 15% over the next decade, which is even higher. … [+]
If you’re a relatively young person looking for entry-level job opportunities, entering the technology industry can be a lucrative move. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the technology industry is expected to grow by 15% over the next 10 years, far faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. There are a variety of entry-level technical positions, from technical sales and software engineers to junior project managers and data analysts.
how to start
In technical fields, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or engineering is generally preferred, but not necessarily required, especially with the rise of bootcamps and certifications. Many entry-level technical jobs involve coding and technical tasks, so it’s beneficial to be familiar with programming languages such as Python, SQL, JavaScript, and HTML/CSS.
Even for non-coding roles, such as customer success manager, it’s helpful to have some understanding of technology. Communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration are valuable assets for any technical career. Show off your skills through personal projects, open source contributions, or relevant online courses. Connect with people on LinkedIn, attend industry meetups, and look for mentorship opportunities.
List of entry level technical positions
Many entry-level technology jobs offer good pay and growth potential without extensive experience, making them an attractive option for those looking to break into the technology field. Here are five high-paying entry-level tech jobs to consider.
1. Software engineer
Software engineers are the architects behind the software that shapes our digital world. They write code using a variety of programming languages to transform ideas and requirements into functional applications, websites, and systems.
Entry-level software engineers perform basic troubleshooting, testing, and debugging tasks under the direction of senior developers and contribute new features by writing code or enhancing existing code. Entry-level software engineers require strong technical skills, relevant experience, and the ability to collaborate.
According to Indeed, the average base salary for an entry-level software engineer is approximately $64,482 per year.
2. Junior Project Manager
Junior-level project managers assist senior PMs with tasks such as scheduling meetings, planning and executing projects, and ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to required specifications. The PM works with various teams to outline the scope, objectives, and deliverables of the project. This role also requires meeting project deadlines, allocating resources, and providing regular feedback and communication to project stakeholders.
Although not required, a background and working knowledge of technology and software will help you land an interview.
According to Indeed, the average base salary for an entry-level project manager in the U.S. technology industry is $64,641 per year.
3. Technical Sales Engineer
The technology sales engineer role is considered a “unicorn” position because it requires a unique combination of technical knowledge and strong interpersonal and persuasive skills. These professionals bridge the gap between sales and engineering teams, leveraging their technical capabilities to explain complex products and services to potential customers and ultimately close deals.
They excel in traditional sales skills such as lead generation, lead generation, relationship building, and contract negotiation. Technical sales engineers do more than just sell features. They focus on understanding customer needs and demonstrating how their products and services are the best solution.
Communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills are extremely valuable for technology sales engineers.
According to Indeed, the average base salary for a sales engineer is approximately $84,908 per year, including commissions.
4. DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams in the software development lifecycle. It ensures a smooth flow from code creation to application deployment and maintenance..
DevOps engineers streamline workflows by automating repetitive tasks such as testing, deployment, and infrastructure provisioning. They develop and manage tools that improve collaboration and communication between development and operations teams, and configure and manage the servers, cloud platforms, and other infrastructure needed to run applications.
DevOps engineers monitor application performance, identify and troubleshoot issues, and ensure application reliability and security.
There is no single path, but a background in IT operations, systems administration, or network engineering provides a solid foundation for becoming a DevOps engineer. In addition to understanding cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure, familiarity with scripting languages and configuration management tools is essential.
According to Indeed, the base salary for an entry-level DevOps engineer is approximately $85,322 per year.
5. Data Analyst
Data analysts are technical experts who analyze and interpret data to extract valuable insights for a business.they collect Collect data from various sources and organize it to ensure accuracy and consistency, and identify trends, patterns, and relationships. They work closely with business teams to understand their needs and provide data-driven recommendations to decision makers.
Some data analysts may specialize in a particular area, such as marketing analysis, financial analysis, or customer analysis. Rapid advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large-scale language models will greatly expand your career growth potential.
During interviews, companies look for proficiency in data wrangling (cleaning and organizing data), SQL (querying databases), and data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI. Although not necessarily required at entry level, familiarity with Python or R is a great asset for data manipulation and analysis.
According to Indeed, the average base salary for an entry-level data analyst is $87,610 per year.
