Working in tech can be a lucrative career—and there are many ways to get your start. Explore five types of tech jobs for candidates with no experience.
Working in the field of technology can be a lucrative choice, leading to high-paying and in-demand opportunities. To get started, it's often best to find an entry-level job, since those require the least amount of experience, and often may not have the same barriers to entry that more advanced roles require.
In this article, we'll go over several entry-level jobs you can explore when you're interested in a career in tech. Afterward, if you'd like to build your skill set, consider enrolling in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate. You'll develop a strong IT foundation in topics including cybersecurity, networking, cloud, and databases.
Entry-level positions are ideal for job seekers new to a career field or transitioning into a related role. Often, people hear the phrase “tech entry-level jobs” and think of software developers, programmers, and other coding-based professions. Many tech entry-level jobs fall under this category. However, there are other career paths for aspiring tech professionals to consider. You can find entry-level tech jobs in various industries, including marketing, finance, and content creation.
The following list outlines tech roles that tend to be entry-level, although this can vary by company.
Just 63 percent of technical writers have a degree in English, communications, or a related field [1]. Many employers value technical writers who possess computer and information technology expertise. As a technical writer, you can also build a portfolio of your best work that can effectively demonstrate your abilities to potential employers.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median US pay for technical writers with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [2].
Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|
$61,080 | $3,197 | $64,276 |
Skills: Research, communication skills, technical proficiency, attention to detail, ability to work independently and collaboratively
Responsibilities: Technical writers are responsible for writing and updating company documents like instructional manuals, procedural guides, reference material, and product descriptions. They work closely with the product team and may also create diagrams and other visual aids to accompany their work.
How to get started: Try Stanford’s Writing in the Sciences course.
Sixty-six percent of technical project managers in the US have a degree in computer science, information technology, business, or a related field [3]. Additionally, many employers cite IT knowledge, leadership experience, and management expertise as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median US pay for technical project managers with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [4].
Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|
$90,711 | $17,763 | $108,474 |
Skills: Budgeting, project management, communication skills, organization, risk management, subject matter expertise, attention to detail
Responsibilities: A technical project manager’s primary responsibility is to plan, develop, and oversee technical projects. They establish workflow and best practices, coordinate collaboration among teams, and delegate work to other employees.
How to get started: Try IBM's IT Project Manager Professional Certificate.
Read more: What Is a Technical Project Manager + How Do You Become One?
Fifty-one percent of IT support technicians in the US have a degree in information technology or a related field [5]. In contrast, many employers cite a high school diploma, GED, Google IT certifications, and CompTIA+ certifications as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median US pay for IT support technicians with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [6].
Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|
$42,171 | $1,679 | $43,850 |
Skills: Problem-solving skills, interpersonal, analytical skills, technical proficiency, communication skills
Responsibilities: Someone in an entry-level IT job must respond to help desk requests, troubleshoot computer systems and applications, interact with customers, and install and configure hardware and software. They also document, track, and report support-related issues and requests.
How to get started: Build entry-level job-ready skills with the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate.
Read more: 10 Entry-Level IT Jobs and What You Can Do to Get Hired
Only 38 percent of data entry specialists in the US have a degree in information technology or a related tech field [7]. Instead, many employers cite a high school diploma, GED, and similar work experience as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median pay for data entry specialists in the US with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [8].
Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|
$37,393 | $1,263 | $38,656 |
Skills: Typing, technical proficiency, communication skills, attention to detail, organization, time management, research, data collection, familiarity with database structures
Responsibilities: This entry-level tech job requires digitizing data for storage and retrieval. Data entry analysts maintain the organization of filing systems, routinely review and update data for accuracy, and research and analyze their findings.
How to get started: Try Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate.
Sixty-one percent of data entry specialists in the US have a degree in information technology or a related field [9]. Many employers cite a high school diploma, GED, and similar work experience as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median pay for data entry specialists in the US with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [10].
Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
---|---|---|
$70,474 | $4,106 | $75,580 |
Skills: Problem-solving skills, communication skills, organization, logic, technical proficiency, understanding of cybersecurity principles and data modeling
Responsibilities: Junior database administrators are responsible for designing, creating, testing, and maintaining databases. They monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure all company policies and standards are followed.
How to get started: Try Meta’s Database Engineer Professional Certificate.
Jobs in computer and information technology are poised to grow quickly over the coming decade. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts around 356,700 new jobs per year [11]. An emphasis on information security, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing is key to the demand for tech professionals.
In recent years, companies have begun to increase their use of AI technology. These technological advancements can make it more difficult for entry-level tech professionals to break into the field. Consider focusing on in-demand, AI-related skills to demonstrate your ability to adapt to new technology quickly. You can start by researching AI tools and use cases in your desired industry.
Tech entry-level jobs generally require the least amount of experience or training to perform. Regardless, you can take steps to make sure your resume effectively shows your qualifications and capabilities. For example, it can be beneficial to browse job postings before you’re ready to apply. You can use this practice to discover in-demand skills and specific certifications that employers ask for by name. Read on for more tips on preparing yourself for an entry-level tech job search.
Enhancing your resume is one of the most critical steps when applying for an entry-level role. Keep in mind that employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to process candidates quickly. These systems use filters to identify specific keywords. Your resume is more likely to be seen if your chosen language matches the keywords employers use to describe particular skills. You can read nine more ways to enhance your resume with the article below.
Read more: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume
Tech entry-level jobs exist in a variety of industries. Once you have chosen a specialization to pursue, such as cloud computing, consider keeping up with industry leaders and fellow professionals in that field. You can use blogs, articles, YouTube videos, and press releases to identify in-demand skills and tools. Then, you can use your insights to demonstrate adaptability, a core skill for tech professionals.
You can start preparing for a tech entry-level job today. Learn in-demand IT skills from a tech industry leader by enrolling in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate. Over nine courses, you'll gain job-ready skills and prepare for a career in IT support by using ticketing systems, hands-on labs, demos, and interactive exercises.
Glassdoor. “Technical Writer Jobs, https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/technical-writer-jobs-SRCH_KO0,16.htm.” Accessed June 6, 2023.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Technical Writer Make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/technical-writer-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm.” Accessed June 9, 2023.
Zippia. "Technical Project Manager Demographics and Statistics in the US, https://www.zippia.com/technical-project-manager-jobs/demographics/." Accessed June 9, 2023.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Technical Project Manager Make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/technical-project-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm.” Accessed June 9, 2023.
Zippia. "Information Technology/Support Technician Demographics in the US, https://www.zippia.com/information-technology-support-technician-jobs/demographics/." Accessed June 9, 2023.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does an IT Support Technician Make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/it-support-technician-salary-SRCH_KO0,21.htm.” Accessed June 9, 2023.
"Data Entry Specialist Demographics and Statistics in the US, https://www.zippia.com/data-entry-specialist-jobs/demographics/." Accessed June 9, 2023.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Data Entry Specialist Make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-entry-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,21.htm.” Accessed June 9, 2023.
Zippia. "Database Administrator Demographics and Statistics in the US, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm." Accessed June 9, 2023.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Database Administrator Make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/database-administrator-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm.” Accessed June 9, 2023.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Computer and Information Technology Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm." Accessed June 9, 2023.
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