- 1.Software Engineering remains the highest-paying entry-level path with $85K-$120K starting at Big Tech (Levels.fyi 2024)
- 2.Data Engineering and ML Engineering offer strong entry salaries ($80K-$100K) with exceptional growth trajectories
- 3.Security roles have lower entry bars than development but competitive starting pay ($70K-$90K)
- 4.DevOps/SRE entry roles are rare but lucrative ($80K-$95K)—most require some prior experience
- 5.Geographic variation is massive: Bay Area entry-level exceeds many cities' senior-level pay
Top 15 Highest Paying Entry-Level Tech Jobs
Entry-level tech salaries vary widely based on role, company, and location. Here are the 15 highest-paying positions accessible to new graduates and career changers with appropriate preparation.
Entry-Level Tech Salaries Ranked
| Rank | Role | Entry Salary Range | Big Tech TC | Growth Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Engineer (SWE) | $75K-$95K | $150K-$200K | +25% (Excellent) |
| 2 | Machine Learning Engineer | $85K-$110K | $180K-$220K | +35% (Exceptional) |
| 3 | Data Engineer | $75K-$95K | $160K-$190K | +28% (Excellent) |
| 4 | Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) | $80K-$100K | $170K-$210K | +23% (Strong) |
| 5 | Cloud Engineer | $70K-$90K | $150K-$180K | +23% (Strong) |
| 6 | Data Scientist | $75K-$95K | $160K-$200K | +35% (Exceptional) |
| 7 | Security Engineer | $70K-$90K | $150K-$180K | +32% (Excellent) |
| 8 | DevOps Engineer | $70K-$90K | $150K-$175K | +25% (Strong) |
| 9 | Backend Developer | $70K-$90K | $150K-$180K | +25% (Strong) |
| 10 | Frontend Developer | $65K-$85K | $140K-$170K | +25% (Strong) |
| 11 | Full Stack Developer | $68K-$88K | $145K-$175K | +25% (Strong) |
| 12 | SOC Analyst | $60K-$80K | $100K-$130K | +32% (Excellent) |
| 13 | Data Analyst | $55K-$75K | $100K-$130K | +23% (Strong) |
| 14 | QA/Test Engineer | $55K-$75K | $120K-$150K | +20% (Good) |
| 15 | Technical Support Engineer | $50K-$70K | $90K-$120K | +15% (Moderate) |
Source: Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, BLS 2024
Development Roles (Highest Pay, Highest Competition)
Software engineering roles offer the highest entry salaries but also face the most competition. Strong fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and system design are essential.
The quintessential tech role. Designs, develops, and maintains software applications. Entry-level focuses on feature implementation under senior guidance. Best-compensated and most common path into tech.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • SWE I
- • Junior Developer
- • Associate Engineer
Specializes in server-side logic, databases, and APIs. Higher complexity and slightly higher pay than frontend. Requires understanding of system architecture and data management.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Backend Engineer
- • API Developer
- • Server Engineer
Builds user interfaces and client-side applications. More accessible entry point with visible output. Requires understanding of browsers, accessibility, and user experience.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Frontend Engineer
- • UI Developer
- • Web Developer
Entry-Level SWE: Big Tech vs Market
Comparing starting compensation at top companies vs overall market
Big Tech Entry (L3/E3)
Median Annual Salary
General Market Entry
Median Annual Salary
Data & Analytics Roles
Data roles offer strong entry salaries and exceptional growth. They're ideal for those with quantitative backgrounds or interest in statistics and business intelligence.
Builds data pipelines and infrastructure. More engineering-focused than data science. Strong demand as companies scale their data operations. Often easier entry than ML roles.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Junior Data Engineer
- • Analytics Engineer
- • ETL Developer
Analyzes data and builds predictive models. Combines statistics, programming, and business acumen. Entry-level typically requires MS or strong portfolio. Higher barrier but excellent pay.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Junior Data Scientist
- • Data Analyst II
- • Applied Scientist
Implements and deploys ML models in production. Hybrid of data science and software engineering. Among highest-paid entry roles but requires strong fundamentals in both areas.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • ML Engineer I
- • Applied ML Engineer
- • AI Engineer
Security Roles
Cybersecurity offers strong entry paths with excellent job security. SOC Analyst is the most common entry point, with security engineering requiring more development skills.
Monitors security systems and responds to incidents. Most accessible entry point into security. Shift work common but provides foundation for security career. Certifications help but aren't required.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • SOC Analyst I
- • Security Analyst
- • Incident Responder
Implements security controls and tools. Requires more development ability than SOC roles. Higher pay but fewer pure entry-level positions—often requires 1-2 years in adjacent roles.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Junior Security Engineer
- • Security Developer
- • AppSec Engineer
Information Security Analyst Employment
Security roles are growing 32%—8x faster than average jobs. The persistent cybersecurity talent shortage creates strong entry opportunities. Organizations struggle to fill even junior positions.
Infrastructure & Operations Roles
DevOps, SRE, and Cloud roles pay well but often require some prior experience. They're excellent targets for those with IT support or sysadmin backgrounds.
Manages cloud infrastructure on AWS, Azure, or GCP. Entry opportunities exist, especially with cloud certifications. Growing demand as companies continue cloud migration.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Junior Cloud Engineer
- • Cloud Support Engineer
- • Cloud Administrator
Bridges development and operations through automation. True entry-level positions rare—most require 1-2 years adjacent experience. High demand and strong pay for those who qualify.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Junior DevOps Engineer
- • Build Engineer
- • Release Engineer
How to Break Into These Roles
Landing your first tech role requires strategy. Here's how to position yourself for the highest-paying entry opportunities.
Breaking Into High-Paying Entry Roles
Build strong fundamentals first
Master data structures, algorithms, and one programming language deeply. For SWE roles, LeetCode-style practice is essential. For data roles, focus on SQL and Python. Fundamentals matter more than framework knowledge at entry level.
Create portfolio projects that demonstrate scale thinking
Build projects that show you understand production concerns: deployment, testing, documentation, and handling edge cases. Toy projects are fine for learning; portfolio projects should show professional sensibility.
Target companies with strong new grad programs
Big Tech, major banks, and established tech companies have structured entry-level hiring. These pay better and provide better training than small companies. Apply broadly to companies known for hiring new grads.
Leverage internships if possible
Internships are the highest-conversion path to full-time offers. Big Tech internships pay $8K-$12K/month and convert at 70-90% rates. If you're still in school, prioritize securing internships.
Consider adjacent entry points
If direct SWE roles are competitive, consider adjacent paths: QA, technical support, data analysis. These provide foot-in-door opportunities with paths to higher-paying roles. Many SWEs started in support or QA.
Network strategically
Referrals significantly improve your odds. Connect with people at target companies through LinkedIn, meetups, and open source. A warm introduction can bypass resume screening entirely.
Best Companies for Entry-Level Tech Roles
Not all companies are equal for first jobs. The best combine strong compensation, structured training, and career development.
Top Companies for Entry-Level Tech (2024)
| Company | Entry TC | Training | Growth Path | Hiring Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$185K-$210K | Excellent (Noogler) | Strong ladders | High | |
| Meta | $180K-$200K | Strong (Bootcamp) | Fast promotion | Moderate |
| Microsoft | $155K-$175K | Good (NERD) | Stable growth | High |
| Amazon | $165K-$185K | Variable | PIP culture concern | Very High |
| Apple | $160K-$180K | Good | Stable | Moderate |
| Salesforce | $130K-$150K | Excellent (Trailhead) | Strong | High |
| JPMorgan | $100K-$120K | Structured programs | Good in finance | Very High |
| Capital One | $95K-$115K | Strong TDP | Good rotation | High |
Source: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor 2024
This analysis combines crowdsourced compensation data, BLS employment statistics, and company-specific hiring information.
Coding Bootcamps: An Alternative Pathway
Coding bootcamps offer an accelerated pathway into tech careers. For those considering alternatives to traditional degrees, here's what you need to know about this intensive learning format.
What is a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is an intensive, short-term training program (typically 12-24 weeks) that teaches practical programming skills through hands-on projects. Unlike traditional degrees, bootcamps focus exclusively on job-ready skills and often include career services to help graduates land their first tech role.
Who Bootcamps Are Best For
- Career changers looking to enter tech quickly
- Professionals wanting to upskill or transition roles
- Self-taught developers seeking structured training
- Those unable to commit to a 4-year degree timeline
What People Love
Based on discussions from r/codingbootcamp, r/cscareerquestions, and r/learnprogramming
- Fast-track to employment—many graduates land jobs within 3-6 months
- Hands-on, project-based learning builds real portfolio pieces
- Career services and interview prep included in most programs
- Strong alumni networks for job referrals and mentorship
- Structured curriculum keeps you accountable and on track
Common Concerns
Honest feedback from bootcamp graduates and industry professionals
- Intense pace can be overwhelming—expect 60-80 hour weeks
- Some employers still prefer traditional CS degrees for certain roles
- Quality varies widely between programs—research carefully
- Job placement stats can be misleading—ask for CIRR audited reports
- May lack depth in computer science fundamentals like algorithms
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Programs for Tech careers:
- Software Engineering Career Track
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More Bootcamp Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Your Research
Data Sources and References
Crowdsourced compensation data filtered for 0-2 years experience
Employment projections and growth outlook by occupation
Entry-level salary reports by role and company
New grad program information and hiring volumes
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.