Information technology (IT) is an area where tech graduates can find plenty of work opportunities. In LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs report, most roles were in information technology.
The great thing is that numerous entry-level jobs can help you begin your career and provide a steady income.
We’re taking a closer look at nine entry-level IT jobs, their salaries, and duties associated with each role. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect from these IT entry-level jobs.
Salary data is based on reports from Payscale. It’s important to note that salary expectations may vary by many factors, including labor market demand for the position and job location.
1. Systems Engineer
In a variety of fields, such as software, transportation, product creation, and manufacturing, systems engineers are the ones who oversee the engineering, business, and administration aspects of a project or system.
Their task is to build a system that tracks a product from start to finish and ensures that all of the components work together properly. Systems engineers must consider details like cost, schedules, and social issues associated with a project.
What does a systems engineer do?
Typical duties of a systems engineer are:
- Researching available software, hardware, and tools required to maximize performance.
- Overseeing the constant availability of technical resources.
- Ensuring systems and infrastructure are accessible at all times.
- Maintaining and supervising inventory.
- Writing and maintaining custom texts to boost machine performance.
- Creating and developing protection frameworks that will keep data secure.
- Keeping protection, backup, and redundancy techniques up to date.
- Installing, configuring, and testing operating systems, application software, and system management tools.
- Examining and monitoring existing systems in order to maintain structural stability and decide what enhancements are required.
Systems engineer salary
An entry-level systems engineer with less than 1-year experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $72,514.
2. Software Developer
Software developers create software that enables users to perform specific tasks on computer devices. They have the technical skills to regularly build those programs, work with a team, and interact with others involved in the process. Some software developers build and maintain systems that run devices and networks. In contrast, others develop applications that allow people to complete tasks on computers, cellphones, or other devices.
What does a software developer do?
A software developer’s daily duties include:
- Integrating software components and third-party programs.
- Developing upgrades for existing applications.
- Monitoring quality and performance of applications through testing and maintenance.
- Developing and testing software to meet consumers’ and clients’ needs.
- Working with developers to design algorithms and flowcharts.
- Producing clean, efficient code based on specifications.
- Gathering and evaluating user feedback.
- Troubleshooting, debugging, and upgrading existing software.
- Verifying and deploying programs and systems.
- Recommending and executing improvements.
- Documenting all work for future reference.
Software developer salary
An entry-level software developer with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $62,655.
3. Computer Systems Analyst
Computer systems analysts help companies or other organizations use computer technology effectively and efficiently. They incorporate new technology into current systems and provide technical design solutions by understanding business needs and information technology.
Computer systems analysts research the hardware and software that are part of an organization’s computer systems and how they are being used. Usually, they tend to team up with computer programmers, user experience designers, and quality assurance testers to build computer systems.
What does a computer systems analyst do?
A computer systems analyst’s duties include:
- Adding new functionality to systems.
- Supervising the installation and configuration of new systems to customize them for the company.
- Researching and evaluating new technologies whether they can increase the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.
- Identifying the organizational needs of IT systems.
- Analyzing costs and benefits.
- Overseeing installations and testing systems.
- Training users and writing instruction manuals.
- Consulting with clients.
Computer systems analyst salary
An entry-level computer systems analyst with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $56,121.
4. Computer Programmer
Programmers use specific computer languages to write code for computer programs and mobile and software applications, transforming the program designs produced by software developers and engineers into instructions that the computer can understand. They work closely with web and software developers to write code for new mobile applications or computer programs.
What does a computer programmer do?
Some of the most common responsibilities for a computer programmer include:
- Writing and testing code for new programs.
- Creating and implementing updates for existing programs to improve them.
- Identifying errors in code and troubleshooting parts of the program that aren’t working correctly.
- Rewriting programs and adjusting code for different operating systems.
- Making the technical guides that explain to users, analysts, software engineers, or other developers how the computer program will work.
Computer programmer salary
An entry-level computer programmer with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $55,937.
5. Network Systems Administrator
A network computer administrator maintains, installs, and organizes local area networks, wide area networks, and intranets. Also, they support an organization’s computer systems and other data communication systems.
They are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of a company’s computer and network systems. Network administrators can work in various industries, from financial and banking firms to government offices and offices.
What does a network systems administrator do?
Duties of a network administrator consist of:
- Providing technical oversight of a multi-site enterprise level WAN.
- Updating security systems and security authorization.
- Installing software and hardware.
- Designing, deploying and administering the wireless infrastructure and supporting systems.
- Installing and monitoring computer security systems.
- Adding or removing users from the network.
- Repairing software and hardware.
- Implementing upgrades in computer systems when needed.
- Training employees on the use of computer software and hardware.
- Speaking with vendors regarding software and hardware.
- Monitoring computer performance and speed.
- Recommending upgrades and new applications and equipment.
Network systems administrator salary
An entry-level network systems administrator with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $50,938.
6. Technical Writer
A technical writer converts complex and technically challenging written content into a simple and coherent text that target audiences can understand. They collect and produce technical information in order to develop maintenance and operating guidelines, technical and instructional manuals, journal articles, and other documents for manufacturers, architects, and customers.
What does a technical writer do?
A technical writer’s key responsibilities include:
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- Creating in-depth user guides, FAQs, technical overviews, and in-product help documentation.
- Researching to gather information.
- Working with technical experts to gain a better understanding of products and procedures.
- Selecting appropriate mediums, such as manuals or videos, for message or audience.
- Writing, formatting, editing, reviewing, and proofing procedural and technical information.
- Assisting in planning, scheduling, and tracking documentation work to meet product release dates and client deliverables.
- Editing the work of other technical writers.
- Incorporating animation, graphs, illustrations, or photographs to increase users’ understanding of the material.
- Deciding on the most suitable form of documentation for the project.
Technical writer salary
An entry-level technical writer with less than one year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $49,198.
7. Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance (QA) testers play an important part in a product’s development. They ensure the final product meets the client’s requirements and reduce the number of errors in software. They may need to test programs, games, and any software to ensure they are reliable and user-friendly before they are released.
Their job is to look for unappealing interfaces and report back to the developers on their findings. This role requires a lot of planning on how to best test computer software and solve the problems.
What does a quality assurance analyst do?
A QA analyst performs some of the following tasks:
- Verifying that the product is culturally relevant for the target market.
- Preventing grammatical errors, truncated text, and inappropriate formatting.
- Assessing functionality, efficiency, reliability, stability, and compatibility with other systems using a strategic plan.
- Fixing any system problems or glitches and make suggestions for how to make a software program work better.
- Inspecting thousands of lines of code to make sure they are entirely error-free.
- Rebuilding the corrected software application.
Quality assurance analyst salary
An entry-level quality assurance analyst with less than a year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $47,609.
8. Technical Support Specialist
A technical support specialist provides assistance and technical support to either businesses or consumers experiencing technical, hardware, or software issues. They troubleshoot some common issues, including connection issues, slow loading, inability to access data, and dysfunctional programs.
What does a technical support specialist do?
A technical support specialists’ duties include:
- Installing and configuring hardware, operative systems, and programs or applications.
- Maintaining existing hardware and computer systems.
- Troubleshooting software problems and providing actionable tips to resolve the issue.
- Replacing damaged or malfunctioning parts on hardware.
- Running a status check on all devices and hardware.
- Testing, estimating, and learning about updates and emerging technologies.
- Installing and configuring new systems and hardware.
- Running reports on systems and hardware status.
- Actively updating, maintaining, and monitoring all aspects of computer networks.
- Assisting management in creating training materials on computer troubleshooting and usage.
Technical support specialist salary
An entry-level technical support specialist with less than a year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $44,510.
9. Computer Operator
Professionals who work as computer operators oversee a network or group of computers, ensuring that all systems are running smoothly and efficiently. These professionals must be ready for any problems that might occur and be able to resolve them quickly. They are often required to work with most computers, including minicomputers, mainframes, and personal computer networks.
What does a computer operator do?
- Providing data by operating a computer.
- Studying production schedules to determine a sequence of operations.
- Performing specific tasks following company procedures.
- Keeping track of and manipulating everyday tasks that are decided by a computer system.
- Maintaining problems that occur in an incident report.
- Using various types of software to prepare any equipment needed for day-to-day operations.
- Making appropriate adjustments to any documents whenever they’re needed.
- Answering queries and inquiries as they occur to resolve user issues.
- Entering commands using a computer terminal.
- Activating controls on computer and peripheral equipment to integrate and manage them.
- Troubleshooting any malfunctions.
Computer operator salary
An entry-level Computer Operator with less than a year of experience can expect to earn an average compensation of $39,788.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or a tech enthusiast who wants to start a career in IT, these entry-level jobs are a great choice for those starting in IT because they don’t have the stringent certification and experience requirements for mid and senior-level positions. Start your journey by enrolling in our Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program.