The Best & Worst Entry-Level Jobs

Entering the job market can be an exciting yet daunting phase for recent grads. With countless career options available, it’s crucial to identify entry-level jobs that offer a solid foundation for growth and advancement. To help guide new grads, WalletHub put together a comprehensive analysis of the best and worst entry-level jobs highlighting key factors such as starting salaries, income growth potential, and projected job growth.

It’s important to note that a “good” job may mean different things to different people.

“People have varying opinions about what constitutes a dead end job,” Daniel Newell, MPA – Executive Director, Career Services, at San Diego State University, says. “What one person considers to be a poor job, someone else may consider it highly coveted. What’s important is understanding what you want to gain from a position. I recommend listing some factors that are important to you when exploring job options. Some people place value on salary and benefit options, while others may value a company’s mission, work/life balance and other considerations. I recommend comparing the list you create of what is important to you and comparing it to the job description and the company’s track record to see if the opportunity is a good fit for you.”

ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS

The best entry-level job type was Engineer 1, which had an immediate opportunity score of 1, a growth potential of 25, and job hazards of 36. The worst entry-level job was Welder I with an immediate opportunity score of 72, a growth potential of 94, and job hazards of 91.

Among business-related roles, Operations Research Analyst I, Market Research Analyst I, and Financial Analyst I claimed top spots. Consumer Credit Analyst I and Tax Accountant I were among the worst entry-level jobs in business-related roles.

STARTING SALARIES

Earning a competitive salary right from the start is important for many new grads. WalletHub's findings reveal that certain entry-level jobs offer attractive starting salaries. For example, Tax Attorney I had the highest starting salary—an average of $104,395. That’s nearly six times higher than the starting salary of a College Teaching Assistant, which ranked the lowest with a starting salary of $17,733.

Overall, the law industry appears to have the most competitive pay, with attorney roles such as Patent Attorney and Employment Law Attorney claiming the top spots for the highest starting salary.

INCOME GROWTH POTENTIAL

While starting salaries are important, it is equally crucial to evaluate the income growth potential of entry-level jobs. WalletHub's analysis identifies professions that offer significant opportunities for advancement and increased earning potential.

Financial Analyst I had the highest income growth potential at 4.18, which is 2.6 times higher than that of a bank teller, the job with the lowest at 1.62.

PROJECTED JOB GROWTH

WalletHub's research also considers the projected job growth for various entry-level professions. Information Security Analyst I had the fastest projected job growth by 2031 at 34.7%. Other fast-growing roles include Logistics Analysts, Logistics Clerks, and Software Engineers. Aircraft Painters, Payroll Clerks, and Tellers had the slowest projected job growth.

METHODOLOGY

WalletHub’s study compared 108 entry-level occupations based on three key aspects: 1) Immediate Opportunity, 2) Growth Potential, and 3) Job Hazards.

The study utilized 12 relevant metrics (listed below) with each metric graded on a 100-point scale. WalletHub calculated the weighted average for each entry-level position across all metrics to compile its total score, which are then ranked.

Immediate Opportunity - Total Points: 40

• Average Starting Salary: Full Weight (~13.33 Points)
• Number of Job Openings: Full Weight (~13.33 Points)
• Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~13.33 Points)

Growth Potential - Total Points: 40

• Occupation Viability Score: Double Weight (~10.67 Points)
  Note: This metric measures the probability of a certain occupation being replaced with a computer.
• Projected Job Growth by 2031: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)
• Income Growth Potential: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)
• Typicality of On-the-Job Training: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)
• Median Annual Salary: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)
• Work Experience in Related Occupation Needed: Full Weight (~5.33 Points)
• Median Tenure with Employer: Half Weight (~2.67 Points)

Job Hazards - Total Points: 20

• Fatal Occupational Injuries per 100,000 Employees in Past Three Years: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
• Typicality of Working More than 40 Hours per Week: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)

Sources: WalletHub