In today's competitive job market,
it can be hard to imagine that there are jobs that pay well but don't
require years of experience. But many sectors offer high-paying entry-level jobs that are appealing to mid-career changers or recent college graduates (who are likely eager to get out from under a mound of student loan debt).
With the help of PayScale.com,
a salary data and software company, AOL Jobs has compiled a list of 10
careers that offer high salaries to entry-level workers -- those who
have been on the job for two years or less. Many of them require a
college degree, but there are exceptions. (Note: The jobs listed below
are a sampling of highly paid entry-level jobs and not a comprehensive,
ranked list.)
Check out the list below and tell us what you think. And if you
have other suggestions for great-paying entry-level jobs, let us know.
Merchandise Planner
(plans, directs and coordinates the activities of buyers, purchasing
officers and others involved in buying materials, products and
services):
- Median Annual Pay: $51,400.*
- Degree: Bachelor's (merchandising, marketing, business or finance).**
Forensic Accountant (examines tax and business records for accuracy and irregularities):
- Median Annual Pay: $51,400.
- Degree: Bachelor's (accounting or finance -- certification may be required).
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
(provides drug information and product samples to physicians and
monitors prescribing patterns of physicians in a designated geographic
area):
- Median Annual Pay: $52,900.
- Degree: Bachelor's (pharmaceutical science, pharmacology, toxicology or related fields).
Power Plant Operator (controls systems that generate and distribute electric power, which may include shift work):
- Median Annual Pay: $54,400.
- Degree: High school diploma.
Network Security Analyst (plans, installs and monitors security measures that protect computer networks and information):
- Median Annual Pay: $55,700.
- Degree: Bachelor's (information technology, mathematics or computer science).
Software Developer (creates operating systems or applications for computers and other devices):
- Median Annual Pay: $58,200.
- Degree: Bachelor's (computer science).
Actuarial Assistant (assists with setting insurance premium rates and performing related data research):
- Median Annual Pay: $58,400.
- Degree: Bachelor's (mathematics, actuarial science, statistics or finance).
Investment Banking Analyst (provides financial services, investment advice and banking products to wealthy individuals and institutions):
- Median Annual Pay: $69,100.
- Degree: Bachelor's (business or finance).
Business Technology Analyst (helps to improve business performance through the use of information technology):
- Median Annual Pay: $69,900.
- Degree: Bachelor's (business, information technology or computer science).
Petroleum Engineer
(designs and develops methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits
below the earth's surface and from older wells using novel methods):
- Median Annual Pay: $87,600.
- Degree: Bachelor's (engineering, preferably petroleum engineering).