10 High-Paying Entry-Level Jobs
With today's competitive job market, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find jobs with decent salaries immediately following college graduation. The key to success is discovering what industries have the highest demand and obtaining an education that will assist with obtaining employment in one of those industries. The following is a list of ten high-paying entry-level jobs in the United States.
Occupational Therapist
A job as an occupational therapist requires a Master's Degree and pays as much as $75,000 per year. Occupational therapists treat injuries to assist with patient's physical recovery. Patients are taught to develop healthy habits and exercises to resume regular daily activities. Occupational therapists are often required to have at least a Master's degree in physical therapy or related field.
Political Scientist
Political scientists are tasked with researching political trends and the past, present, and potential future government policies. They use the information they obtain to compile and provide advice to people and organizations in the public political arenas. Becoming a political scientist requires at least a Master's degree in the field, but it pays high at entry level and can increase to as much as $100,000 per year.
Market Research Analyst
Employment as a Market Research Analyst requires a Bachelor's degree in Marketing or related field. Analysts are responsible for studying current market trends and determining what types of products should be targeted to certain demographics. Entry-level analysts can make up to $60,000 per year.
Marketing Coordinator
A marketing coordinator helps to develop product and brand marketing campaigns. They require strong oral and written communication skills. An entry-level marketing coordinator, on average, receives a salary of $30,000 or more. The position often requires a degree in marketing or related field, and most employers will hire with little to no experience.
Human Resources Coordinator
Human Resources Coordinators are responsible for educating employees regarding company policies and enforcing protocol. They are also responsible for fostering healthy relations between employees. They are required to have a degree in business, human resources or something similar. They are also responsible for staying up-to-date on policy changes and ensuring that all appropriate company employees are made aware. Some HR coordinators are even involved in the hiring process. They make a starting salary of $35,000-$40,000 with many opportunities for advancement to higher-paying management positions.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers help to design and supervise the construction of large construction projects such as bridges, roads, and airports. Most civil engineers are hired with little to no experience in the field. If a job-seeker is hoping to land a job as a civil engineer, he must first obtain a Bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited school. Starting salary is approximately $50,000 per year. The Civil Engineer is another job that provides many opportunities for advancement.
Pharmaceutical Sales Rep
Sales is a highly competitive industry, so someone pursuing a career as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative must have a competitive edge and a natural talent for sales. With bonuses and commissions, this is one the highest-paying entry-level jobs. Most companies require a Bachelor's degree at minimum before hiring, and some offer training programs before beginning work. Entry-level salary as a pharmaceutical sales rep is approximately $55,000.
Forensic Accountant
Forensic Accountants are required to have at least a Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, and some employers require an additional certification. Forensic accountants are responsible for reviewing tax and business documents and ensuring that all information is accurate. They are responsible for identifying and correcting any discrepancies found. A forensic accountant is paid an average salary of $50,000 per year.
Software Developer
Software Developers create new programs and applications for computers and other electronic devices. Annual salary begins at approximately $50,000 per year but can reach as high as $90,000. Entry-level applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree in computer science.
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers are responsible for identifying existing "bugs" in a computer code and correcting the issues, often by writing new code. Because this type of work is in high-demand with modern technological advances, there is a lot of opportunity for advancement in this field. The entry-level annual salary for a computer programmer is approximately $49,000. Employers require a Bachelor's degree in computer programming or similar IT field. However, some employers will hire with only an Associate's degree.
