High-Paying Entry-Level Tech Jobs

Careers in the tech sector are often particularly high-paying, even those available to newcomers to the field. Tech jobs for beginners, including software engineer and full stack developer, can be lucrative positions as long as you have the right hard skills and education. Alternatively to a college degree, you can acquire certifications or attend a coding bootcamp to qualify for easy tech jobs that pay well. 

This article will discuss high-paying entry-level tech jobs, including some that you can land in under one year of training. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts computer and information technology careers have an impressive job growth rate of 15 percent over the next decade, which means there will be plenty of entry-level tech jobs for those with no experience in the coming years. 

Top 10 High-Paying Entry-Level Tech Jobs

Entry-level tech jobs are careers that don’t require any previous professional work experience in the field. You can land any of the positions on our list with just a college degree or a coding bootcamp certificate. While the table below shows entry-level salary information, keep in mind that your compensation will increase as you gain hands-on experience. 

Job Title	Average Entry-Level Salary
DevOps Engineer	$118,662
Software Engineer	$100,214
Tech Sales Engineer	$94,721
Software Developer	$85,038
Full Stack Developer	$78,515
Information Security Analyst	$78,321
Database Administrator	$74,110
Computer Systems Analyst	$73,736
Data Analyst	$65,683
Web Designer	$57,147

Highest-Paying Entry-Level Tech Jobs Explained

Below, we discuss the best entry-level tech jobs in more detail, summarizing their work responsibilities and what sort of education they require. This will help you get a better idea of what career path will best fit your background and interests. 

DevOps Engineer

DevOps engineers work to improve and optimize each stage of the software life cycle. They often maintain communication between software engineers and IT teams and find new ways to automate tasks, such as coding, testing, and deployment. DevOps engineer is a particularly high-paying tech job, and you may need a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field if you have no previous experience. 

Software Engineer

Software engineers have similar responsibilities to software developers, but this role tends to have a larger scope. Instead of focusing on one specific aspect of a piece of software or an application, software engineers are in charge of designing the entire system. Because of this, software engineers tend to earn a higher salary and employers are more likely to ask for a degree. 

Tech Sales Engineer

If you have especially good interpersonal skills and a passion for technology, tech sales engineer might be the best entry-level tech job for you. These professionals explain complicated technical concepts to customers and explain how their products can help solve problems for businesses. Tech sales bootcamps, including SV Academy and Prehired can help you gain the skills you need to enter the field in under one year.

Software Developer

Software developer is one of the best entry-level technology jobs because many major companies do not ask that you have a four-year degree, as long as your skills are up to standard. In this role, you will create, maintain, and troubleshoot software programs to meet users’ needs. A cost-efficient way to become a software developer is to attend a coding bootcamp that focuses on software development or web developent, such as the ones offered by Coding Dojo, General Assembly, and other schools.

Full Stack Developer

Full stack developers create web applications, and are capable of using both front end and backend technologies. In general, full stack developer earn a higher entry-level salary than front end or backend developers, though it does require that you master a wider range of programming languages and tools. 

Information Security Analyst

As an information security analyst, you will monitor an organization’s security systems. You’ll identify breaches, seek vulnerabilities, and install and operate firewalls. Cyber security skills are especially in demand in the tech industry right now. According to BLS, information security analysts have a projected job growth rate of 35 percent. 

Database Administrator

Database administrators create, maintain, and monitor databases that store essential information for an organization. They make sure confidential data is secure and can be retrieved by authorized users. You can become a database administrator through self study or by gaining a degree in a relevant field. 

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer systems analyst is one of the highest-paying entry-level IT jobs. While having a related bachelor’s degree is preferred, you can also enter this field with an associate degree or vocational training. Systems analysts maintain all aspects of an organization’s computer systems and identify areas for improvement to help the business run more efficiently. 

Data Analyst

Data analysts gather, clean, and assess data to identify important insights that help solve business problems and improve operations. They may also maintain databases and present their findings to upper management and stakeholders. Data analysts use coding languages like R and SQL and need a strong understanding of statistics and probability. Coding bootcamps with robust data analytics programs include Thinkful and CareerFoundry.

Web Designer

Web designer is another example of a high-paying entry-level tech job that doesn’t require a degree. These professionals use their UX and UI skills to design the layout of a website. You’ll need experience using design software and a strong understanding of concepts like color theory and typography. Coding isn’t always required, but a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can also help you qualify for higher-paying positions. 

Remote Entry-Level Tech Jobs

Many of the best entry-level tech jobs for those with no experience can be completed remotely. In fact, the 2022 Stack Overflow Developer Survey reports that 85 percent of developers work for organizations that are at least partially remote. A few entry-level tech roles that can often be completed completely remotely include:

• Software developer
• Web designer
• Full stack developer
• Data analyst
• Database administrator

How Do You Get a Job in Tech With No Experience?

To land tech and IT jobs with no experience, you will need to show employers that you have strong enough skills to get the job done. Gaining a college degree or attending a coding bootcamp are popular methods of impressing hiring committees, but you can also get into tech through self study if you have a quality portfolio. 

Get a College Degree

Many of the best-paying jobs in technology require a bachelor’s or master’s degree, especially as you progress to high-level roles. Getting a four-year degree in computer science, information technology, or a similar field, is the most traditional method of landing entry-level tech jobs, and will ensure you have a comprehensive education in your chosen profession. 

Attend a Coding Bootcamp

Coding bootcamps are short, accelerated programs designed to train you for a specific tech career. A major benefit bootcamps have over traditional universities is that they are far more flexible and affordable. You can complete a bootcamp program in under a year and most schools offer completely remote and part-time scheduling options. 

Most coding bootcamps are designed to prepare students for software development and web development careers, but you can also find programs in data science, cyber security, UX/UI design, and tech sales. Most coding bootcamps cost between $10,000 and $15,000, but the most affordable bootcamps are often less than $5,000.

Enroll in Online Courses

Online courses offered by platforms such as Coursera and Udemy are an affordable way to practice in-demand tech skills. You can find tech courses on a wide range of topics that span every level of difficulty. 

It is a good idea to seek out project-based classes that will help you develop a portfolio as you practice your skills. Without previous work experience or educational credentials, a portfolio is an important way of representing your abilities to employers. You can also gain industry certifications to add legitimacy to your resume. 

Should I Apply for Entry-Level Tech Jobs Without Experience?

You should apply for entry-level jobs, even without prior experience. Just because you don’t have relevant work experience doesn’t mean you should shy away from starting a career in the tech sector, especially if you enjoy programming and are willing to put in the time to improve your skills. 

Many high-paying entry-level tech jobs value skills over education and experience. If you have a strong enough portfolio, you can land positions like junior developer and web designer, even if you don’t have a college degree. 

High-Paying Entry-Level Tech Jobs FAQ