IT is still one of the few well-paid fields you can enter with certifications and projects rather than a four-year degree. But "entry level IT" covers very different jobs, and the market for first jobs has changed. Before you pick a certification or send applications, it helps to know what each first job really pays, which roles are genuinely open to beginners, where the number of jobs is growing or shrinking, and which exam versions are current.
What Entry Level IT Jobs Pay
Guides quote $38,000 to $48,000 for help desk, $50,000 to $65,000 for junior developers and QA, $45,000 to $60,000 for junior network and systems administrators, and $55,000 to $70,000 for junior cybersecurity roles. BLS publishes the pay of the lowest-paid tenth of each occupation, a fair proxy for starting pay. May 2025 figures:
| Occupation | Lowest 10 per cent earn less than | Median | Guide's entry band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer user support specialists (help desk) | $40,980 | $61,860 | $38,000 – $48,000 |
| Computer network support specialists | — | $76,220 | $45,000 – $60,000 |
| Network and computer systems administrators | $62,640 | $99,130 | $45,000 – $60,000 |
| Web developers | $48,100 | $92,650 | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers | $61,440 | $104,300 | $50,000 – $65,000 |
| Information security analysts | $75,090 | $129,180 | $55,000 – $70,000 |
- Help desk is the realistic starting band. The guide's range sits around the lowest tenth, which fits a first job.
- The systems administrator and cybersecurity bands are below the lowest tenth. That is a sign these are not usually first jobs, not that they pay badly.
- Data entry is not an IT occupation. BLS counts it as office work, with a median of $41,340.
Which Jobs Are Genuinely Entry Level
- Help desk and IT support. BLS says user support specialists often need only some college or a high school diploma plus IT certifications. This is the main door in.
- Network support. Usually an associate degree, often after help desk experience.
- QA testing and junior web development. Open to beginners with a portfolio, but competitive.
- Systems administration. Usually reached after support experience, as the pay floor above suggests.
- Cybersecurity analyst. Guides list "junior cybersecurity analyst" as entry level. BLS gives a bachelor's degree plus work experience in a related occupation as the typical path, usually from help desk, networking or systems work.
The Outlook: Support Is Shrinking, Security Is Growing
Guides say entry-level IT roles remain in steady demand. BLS projections for 2025 to 2035 are mixed:
- Computer support specialists: down 3 per cent. About 903,100 jobs in 2025, falling by 24,300 over the decade, as automation and self-service tools handle more tickets. There will still be about 48,700 openings a year from people leaving the job.
- Information security analysts: up 21 per cent, much faster than average, with about 14,100 openings a year, but mostly for people with experience.
The practical route is to take a support job, which still has tens of thousands of openings a year, and use it to move into networking, systems, cloud or security within a few years.
What the 2026 Market Shift Means
The market for first IT jobs did not close in 2026, but it moved. Three shifts are worth planning around:
- Experience inflation. Many postings labelled "entry level" now ask for two to three years of experience. Treat those as mislabelled, and keep applying to genuine junior and help desk roles, which still hire beginners.
- AI is absorbing routine tickets. Self-service portals and AI assistants now handle password resets and simple fixes, which is part of why BLS projects support roles to shrink. The junior seats that remain lean more on troubleshooting judgement than on ticket volume.
- New demand around cloud and data. Cloud support built on AWS, Azure or Google Cloud fundamentals, and data-focused roles, are the fastest-growing entry-adjacent routes as companies move infrastructure to the cloud. A cloud fundamentals certificate plus a small project is a realistic way in. Note that an entry data analyst role is analytical work, not the office data entry job BLS prices at $41,340.
The door has not shut; it has moved toward candidates who pair a foundational skillset with one or two relevant certifications and a hands-on project, rather than a degree alone.
Certifications: The Current Versions
- CompTIA A+. The current V15 version is two exams, 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), launched on 25 March 2025. Study guides for 220-1101 and 220-1102 cover the previous version.
- CompTIA Network+. The current exam is N10-009, for networking fundamentals.
- CompTIA Security+. The current exam is SY0-701, a common baseline for security roles.
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate. An online course for help desk fundamentals, useful alongside A+.
- Cloud fundamentals. Entry cloud certifications from AWS, Microsoft and Google help support staff move toward cloud roles.
CompTIA certifications are valid for three years and are renewed through continuing education. Pick the exam that matches the job you want next rather than collecting all of them.
Where to Find Entry Level IT Jobs
- Job boards. Search "help desk", "desktop support" and "IT support specialist" as well as "entry level IT".
- Managed service providers. MSPs hire many beginners and give exposure to many systems quickly.
- Hospitals, schools and local government. Stable IT departments that hire support staff outside the tech industry.
- Apprenticeships and internships. Registered IT apprenticeships and internships combine pay with training.
- Staffing agencies. Contract help desk roles often convert to permanent jobs.
Tips for Landing Your First IT Job
- Build a home lab. Set up a small network, a virtual machine and Active Directory, and write down what you did.
- Match the certification to the job. A+ for help desk, Network+ for networking, Security+ once you aim at security.
- Use your customer service experience. Support desks value calm, clear communication as much as technical knowledge.
- Prepare for troubleshooting questions. Expect "a user cannot connect to the internet, what do you check?"
- Apply outside tech companies. Health care, finance, education and government all run IT departments.
Career Progression
A common path runs from help desk to desktop or network support within one to two years, then to systems administration, cloud, or security. BLS medians show why the move matters: $61,860 for user support, $99,130 for systems administrators and $129,180 for information security analysts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do entry level IT jobs pay?
For help desk work, the lowest-paid tenth of computer user support specialists earned under $40,980 in May 2025 and the median was $61,860. Starting pay for other IT roles is higher but usually needs experience.
Can I get an IT job without a degree?
Yes, especially in support. BLS says user support specialists may qualify with some college or a high school diploma plus IT certifications.
Is cybersecurity an entry level job?
Rarely. BLS gives a bachelor's degree plus work experience in a related occupation as the typical path into information security analysis.
Are IT support jobs growing?
No. BLS projects employment of computer support specialists to fall 3 per cent from 2025 to 2035, though about 48,700 openings a year will still arise from turnover.
What are the current CompTIA A+ exams?
The V15 exams, 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), launched on 25 March 2025.
Which certification should I get first?
CompTIA A+ for help desk roles, then Network+ or Security+ depending on whether you are aiming at networking or security.
Is QA testing a good entry level IT job?
It can be. The lowest-paid tenth of software QA analysts and testers earned under $61,440 and the median was $104,300, but roles are competitive.
What is the best first IT job?
Help desk or IT support. It has the most openings for beginners and leads to networking, systems, cloud and security roles.
People Also Search For
IT jobs with no experience
Help desk and support roles, starting around the lowest tenth of $40,980.
Help desk salary entry level
A BLS median of $61,860 for user support specialists.
CompTIA A+ 220-1201
Core 1 of the current V15 A+ certification.
Junior cybersecurity analyst jobs
Usually need related IT experience first.
Google IT Support Certificate jobs
Help desk and support roles, often alongside A+.
Entry level network technician
Network support, usually with an associate degree or help desk experience.
Junior QA tester jobs
Testing roles with a $61,440 lowest-tenth pay level.
IT support jobs outlook
Down 3 per cent over the decade to 2035.
More Job Guides
Ready to go deeper on one role? These cover them:
- Help Desk Technician Jobs in USA — the most common first IT job in detail.
- Network Engineer Jobs in USA — where networking experience leads.
- Cybersecurity Analyst Jobs in USA — the security role and what it takes to get there.
- Web Developer Jobs in USA — the development route and its pay.
- QA Tester Jobs in Canada — testing work across the border.
- IT Support Jobs in UK — the same first job in Britain.
- How to Apply for Microsoft IT Support Jobs in the USA — the real entry-level pay band at Microsoft, and the categories that have no jobs in them.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not careers advice. Wage data, employment projections and certification exam versions change. Confirm current details with BLS, CompTIA and employers before choosing a course or applying.
