Whether you’re looking to come onto the job market straight out of school or for a drastic career change, it can be hard to find something that doesn’t need more years of experience than you have. Luckily, these 17 jobs pay well at entry level, allowing people to make a living without scraping by.
Flight Attendant
If you love to travel, working with the airlines as a flight attendant comes with a decent salary and flight perks. No experience is required as airlines typically provide their own training programs for new hires. The median annual wage for flight attendants was $56,640 in 2019, and the top 10% earned over $80,000.
Proofreader
“This person notices the extra space after a period, the ‘their’ when it should be ‘they’re,’ and the compound adjective missing a hyphen,” writes MediaBistro. If you spend your time on social media correcting people’s grammar, maybe you should be a proofreader. Entry-level positions are available for those with strong attention to detail and language skills.
Claims Adjuster
Insurance companies need people who can go to people’s homes and accident sites to figure out how much the policy should pay. Claims adjusters investigate insurance claims to determine the payout the company will provide. This job typically only requires a high school diploma and pays around $65,000 a year in a flexible work environment.
Sales Representative
For those who can sell ice to a polar bear, sales jobs offer competitive base salaries with little experience and can create a significant income with a commission. Sales positions offer diversity in options for fields to work in, as almost every industry has products to sell.
Transportation Security Screener
Organizations like the TSA and private airports need security screeners to help ensure the safety of travelers. ZipRecruiter says, “To become an airport security screener,… you need a high school diploma or GED and should have some experience working with x-ray machines or other aviation screening tools. Qualifications include excellent customer service skills and a willingness to help airline patrons.” The average base salary for this role is $48,520, and no experience is required.
Video Editor
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% growth in employment for film and video editors and camera operators from 2022 to 2032. Entry-level positions are available for those with strong creative and technical skills. Proficiency in video editing software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro is essential to start earning an average salary of $80,990.
Landscaper and Groundskeeper
For those with a green thumb and a love of the outdoors, landscapers and groundskeepers maintain outdoor spaces like lawns, gardens, and parks either commercially, residentially, or with a park service. Some employers even provide on-the-job training, and there are opportunities for advancement into supervisory roles with experience, or you can branch out on your own.
Administrative Assistant
There are opportunities for clerical work, both in an office setting and virtually. Administrative assistants perform routine clerical tasks in an office environment, while virtual assistants provide similar functions as contractors working remotely.
Real Estate Agent
Sometimes it feels like everyone you know is in the real estate business. Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties, and it only takes a high school diploma or equivalent along with real estate licensing course completion. Investopedia explains, “Most real estate agents are paid for their services through commissions that are based on a percentage of the property’s selling price.” Real estate agents earn an average salary of $81,924, though luxury listings can bring in that much on one sale.
Delivery Driver
With a driver’s license and a clean driving record, there is a plethora of delivery opportunities. One can do simple freelance work for companies like Uber Eats and Instacart or work as an employee with Amazon, UPS, and FedEx. If you like heavy lifting, furniture and appliance delivery are also great options.
Construction Worker
Some positions may require vocational training, while others allow you to walk on and learn as you go with construction work. Though beginning pay with no experience may not be the highest, as you learn more on the job, there are always opportunities to advance and make more money.
Customer Service Representative
If you have the patience of a saint and a fantastic phone voice, customer service could be an excellent opportunity for you. Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information, often from the comfort of their own homes and with flexible schedules. While some positions may prefer experience, many companies offer on-the-job training.
Garbage Collector
CW33 reported, “Not everyone makes six figures, but most trash workers are doing better than high school dropouts and even graduates.” This physically demanding job typically provides on-the-job training and does not require any formal education beyond a driver’s license. So maybe we should stop telling our kids to study hard, or they will end up being the garbage man.
Pest Control Worker
Sometimes, it’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. If creepy crawlies don’t gross you out, working in pest control can be a great place to make a decent income. The job can vary from entering properties with an infestation problem to treating homes to keep the pests from appearing.
Plumber
One thing is for sure—we’ll never stop needing people to fix the pipes in our homes and businesses. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent and receive on-the-job training. Yahoo! Finance states, “Most professionals in these trades undergo a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship, receiving 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and technical instruction annually.”
Bartender
Many bartenders do have to start in the restaurant business as servers, but exceptions exist. While the hourly wage isn’t high in most places, good bartenders make their income based on tips. So if you can make a great cocktail and chat with drunk people with a smile on your face, the sky’s the limit for income.
Gaming Dealer
Stop watching the World Series of Poker and start dealing in it. For those who’ve always loved cards and a game of chance, gaming dealers can be a great way to get into the game while making money instead of risking losing it. Dealers often make a salary plus tips from generous people feeling high on their luck.
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