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Though the term “entry-level” seems to mean something different to every employer, there are many lower-level tech positions that require minimal job experience and offer great pay and benefits to individuals with the right skill set. Here are five high-paying entry-level tech jobs you can land in the industry today.

Database Analyst

Average Starting Salary: $61,067¹

Projected Growth: 14%²

Database analysts are responsible for collecting and organizing data to compile it into functional data systems. Like a gardener weeding a plant bed, they must prune unnecessary information from the data set, then organize the data in a functional and logical manner. A data analyst’s responsibilities include maintaining and updating existing databases, or developing new ones to meet their company’s needs, as well as database security. It also falls to database analysts to create flow charts and diagrams to help illustrate how the data is stored, so the database is navigable for their organization.

Knowledge of programs like SQL and the most recent trends and practices in database creation are necessary to get into the field, as is a background in computer science or a related field like software development.

Financial Analyst

Average Starting Salary: $47,015¹

Projected Growth: 12%²

FinTech is a rapidly-growing career field, as the finance industry is undergoing a digital transformation in order to keep up with the ever-evolving needs of the business world and consumers. Technologies such as mobile banking, blockchain, and cryptocurrency are revolutionizing the way we interact with our money, which makes financial analysts even more crucial to financial services firms.

The role of a financial analyst is to track their organization’s performance and monitor market conditions to create accurate forecasts and develop company strategies for increasing revenue. They are also responsible for developing budgets and strategizing performance improvement. Job qualifications include a background in accounting, finance, or a related field, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

IT Technician

Average Starting Salary: $39,309¹

Projected Growth: 14%²

IT Technicians are always in demand. They must have a wide range of skills on their “technical toolbelt,” as IT support teams are responsible for diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining both hardware and software components. This career offers a lot of variety, as IT support often involves working with all departments and levels of the company. Technicians may also meet with vendors to source new products and services that meet their organization’s needs.

As the first line of defense when a tech problem arises, IT Technicians must be good problem-solvers; have a strong working knowledge of various operating systems, programs, and databases; and above all, possess excellent communication skills as they interface with clients at all levels of technical know-how.

Web Developer

Average Starting Salary: $35,058¹

Projected Growth: 17%²

Web developers may work for an agency or as a freelancer interacting directly with clients as they create websites that are both beautiful and functional. They build sites from the ground up to execute the customer’s vision, writing the code in HTML or XML programming languages, measuring performance and testing capacity for applications, and collaborating with graphics and design teams to design the look and feel. Web developers may also be responsible for monitoring website traffic once the site is live. A background in computer science and knowledge of programming and coding languages is necessary to enter this job field, as are strong communication skills to break down the technical aspects that are harder for clients to grasp.

User Experience Designer

Average Starting Salary: $77,701¹

Projected Growth: 17%²

A User Experience Designer, or a UX Designer, is all about the customer experience. Their job is to improve the usability, accessibility, and pleasure of a product in a way that is attractive and convenient for users. They create interactive programs using digital and web media, and must have a functional understanding of coding so that both the back end and user interface work together seamlessly.

UX Designers marry their technical expertise with their soft “people” skills and understanding of human psychology to truly embody the user experience during the research phase of projects. Good UX Designers excel at abstract thinking, creative problem-solving, and empathizing with the customer, along with the technical and coding knowledge necessary in this field.

These are just some of the many careers with thousands of open positions waiting for talented, ambitious professionals to join their teams. 

World-class curriculum developer WOZ partners with accredited learning delivery partners to deliver best-in-class tech training and certification prep programs designed to equip students with the new-century skills and accelerate technology careers.

 

Abby Alben is a Los Angeles-based writer and the Digital Media & Marketing Coordinator at ENTITY Academy. She earned a B.A. in English from UCLA in 2020 and has worked for a number of collegiate news and lifestyle publications, including the Daily Bruin.

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1. Starting salary is as reported by Emsi, a labor market analytics firm. The salary information is not specific to students or graduates of WOZ delivery partners. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location, and other factors specific to the individual. WOZ nor our partners does not guarantee employment, salary level, or career advancement.
2. The estimated number of job postings over the past 12 months is provided by Emsi, a labor market analytics firm. This data may not reflect your local market conditions. Further, market conditions are dynamic and can change. This data is not intended to predict the market conditions that will be present when you graduate from your program.