Entry Level IT Jobs: Which Ones Pay the Most?

• by Ewan Thorne
• Jun 19, 2025
• 0 Comments

Entry Level IT Jobs: Which Ones Pay the Most?

Entry level IT jobs aren’t created equal—especially when it comes to pay. Some are basically the modern-day equivalent of making coffee runs, while others land you closer to a six-figure salary right out of the gate. Not everyone knows this, so a lot of newbies end up stuck in roles that look good on a business card but leave their bank accounts pretty sad.

If you’re eyeing web development or related tech gigs, you might be wondering what pays off fast without demanding years of experience. Turns out, some job titles—like Junior Front-End Developer—are offering $65,000 to $85,000 in larger cities, and that’s just to start. Roles mixing coding with a bit of design or user experience can push that even higher, especially if you can build a slick portfolio. And yep, remote jobs still pay competitive salaries if you land them with the right company.

The trick is knowing what companies want, which skills make you stand out, and how to negotiate from the first interview. If you’re looking to skip the bottom rung and head straight for a decent paycheck, read on—you’ll see where to focus your energy, which certifications actually matter, and how to spot the entry level roles that pay versus those that just sound impressive.

• Why Entry Level IT Jobs Pay So Differently
• Top Paying Entry Level Roles in Web Development
• What Recruiters Look For (Beyond a Degree)
• Real Salary Numbers for 2025
• Certificates, Bootcamps, and Free Skill Boosters
• Tips to Land Your First High-Paying IT Job

Why Entry Level IT Jobs Pay So Differently

Not all entry level IT jobs pay the same, and there’s a real reason behind that. The main differences come down to what skills you need, how much training the company has to give you, and how much your work helps the business right away. For example, a Junior Front-End Developer who can actually build customer-facing websites is doing a job that’s easy to see and measure—if you mess up, everyone notices, and if you do it well, the company makes more money.

On the other hand, a general IT support role might come with a basic checklist: reset passwords, answer tech tickets, keep things running. The stakes are lower, and the work is often repeatable. As a result, those jobs don’t crack the higher pay range, even though they’re still solid foot-in-the-door gigs.

Another reason is location. Big cities like San Francisco, New York, and Austin pay way more than small towns. Remote jobs mix things up, but many companies still adjust pay based on your location—meaning, someone in Kansas will probably get offered less than someone in Manhattan for the exact same job.

Certifications and learning speed play a part too. Jobs in web development or cybersecurity that require knowledge of newer tech—like React, Node.js, or cloud platforms—command higher salaries, even at the junior level. Employers don’t want to spend months training you if you can already hit the ground running.

Just look at this quick snapshot of average starting salaries for 2025. These numbers are for common beginner roles in the U.S., pulled from Glassdoor and Indeed:

So when you see someone else’s first tech job salary and wonder why it smokes yours, it boils down to specialized skills, location, and how directly you help the company make or save money. If you want to land one of the highest paying IT jobs at the start, aim for roles that need technical skills combined with some problem solving or creativity. That combo is what employers prize most right now.

Top Paying Entry Level Roles in Web Development

If you’re just starting out in IT and want the best possible paycheck, web development is a solid place to look. Companies need websites, apps, and online platforms more than ever, so even beginners can make good money. But not all entry-level web gigs pay equally. Let’s break down which roles get you paid fast and what makes them stand out.

Entry level IT jobs in web development usually fall into one of five buckets:

• Junior Front-End Developer – You focus on what users see by working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Knowing popular frameworks like React makes you even more attractive to employers. Big tech hubs like San Francisco or remote-first startups regularly offer salaries above $70,000 for front-end starters.
• Junior Back-End Developer – You work behind the scenes with databases and servers using languages like Python, Node.js, or PHP. These jobs are less flashy, but sometimes offer a slight pay bump over front-end if you know your stuff. In 2025, the demand for people who can set up APIs or deploy apps on AWS or Azure keeps climbing.
• Full-Stack Developer (Entry Level) – You cover both front- and back-end. Even as a beginner, if you can work both sides of the fence, expect a higher starting offer—think $75,000 to $90,000 in tech-friendly markets. Companies love not having to hire two people when one team player can do it all (or at least most of it).
• QA Engineer / Tester – Your job is to break stuff. Seriously. You test websites and apps to make sure they don’t explode on real users. Entry-level QA salaries don’t always match developers, but the good ones easily land $65,000+ once they learn automation testing tools.
• UI/UX Designer (with a coding edge) – If you blend design sense with enough coding chops to prototype in code, you have a real edge. Some companies toss an extra $10k on top of starting offers because you help both design and dev teams work faster.

Here’s a quick snapshot of average starting salaries for 2025, based on actual job postings and Glassdoor data:

Don’t ignore contract gigs either. Short-term projects or remote contracts sometimes pay even better per hour, especially if you show you can get the job done with little hand-holding. Just remember, the extra cash can come with less job security, so keep your portfolio sharp and network often.

What Recruiters Look For (Beyond a Degree)

Recruiters don’t actually care that much about your degree anymore, especially for entry level IT jobs in web development. What really catches their eye? Proof that you can solve real problems and work well in a team. They love seeing hands-on projects, live websites, or apps—even if they’re basic. A GitHub profile stacked with side projects beats a fancy diploma in most interviews these days.

Soft skills matter just as much. Recruiters want folks who can explain ideas clearly, take feedback, and figure stuff out on the fly. It’s not just about being a code wizard. If you ask smart questions, show up on time, and don’t act like a know-it-all, you’re already ahead of half the pack.

• Project portfolio: Recruiters want links. If you claim you can build a site—show it. Even class assignments count if they're online.
• GitHub activity: Regular commits, clear README files, and collaborative work on repos are gold.
• Communication: Can you write a clear email or explain how you fixed a bug? Huge plus.
• Basic troubleshooting skills: Knowing how to Google errors isn’t just okay—it’s expected.
• Adaptability: Tech changes fast, so showing you’re curious and quick to pick up new tools goes a long way.

Let’s be real: most recruiters will spend less than a minute skimming your resume. Check out this data from 2024 on how hiring managers size up entry-level tech applicants:

If you want proof that skills win over pure credentials, just look at bootcamp grads. A 2024 Course Report survey found 79% of coding bootcamp grads landed an IT job within six months, often without a related degree. So polish that portfolio, learn to talk through your projects, and keep experimenting with real, working code. That’s how you get noticed today.

Real Salary Numbers for 2025

If you’re serious about cashing in, you need real numbers—not some vague promise. The tech job market’s rolling out strong paychecks for beginners, but the gap between job titles is wild. In web development, certain roles pay way more out of the gate.

Bigger cities pay more, but remote-first tech companies are closing that gap. For example, startups based in Austin, Seattle, or Boston might list entry level IT jobs around $80k for junior devs—sometimes even without a four-year degree if you have a killer portfolio. Remote jobs usually stick closer to $65k-$75k, but the competition is worldwide. If you’re game for relocation, San Francisco and New York still lead for high offers, but a lot of folks are choosing cheaper cities to get more value out of those salaries.

One tip: Always check company benefits like equity, health insurance, or learning stipends. Some mid-size tech shops offer smaller salaries but make up for it with bonuses or stock options. And if you land contract work early on, you can sometimes bill at a higher hourly rate, especially if you’ve picked up some niche framework or tool in web development.

Certificates, Bootcamps, and Free Skill Boosters

If you're serious about making money in entry level IT jobs, you really need to show you have legit skills, not just a diploma. Recruiters don’t care much if you know theory—they want proof you can code, fix stuff, or launch a website on day one. Luckily, there’s more ways to get these skills and that first paycheck than just a four-year degree.

Let's break down what actually works for beginners in 2025:

• Certificates: Google IT Support, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, and CompTIA A+ are recognized everywhere. For web dev, check out freeCodeCamp’s responsive web design cert—hiring managers have started looking for it on resumes. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is a huge bonus if you might want to work with cloud projects later on.
• Bootcamps: General Assembly, Flatiron School, and Coding Dojo crank out new developers every three months. These can cost $5,000–$20,000, but many grads are getting jobs in under six months, with an average starting salary of over $70k in big cities. Some even offer income-share agreements, so you only pay after you get hired.
• Free skill boosters: Can’t swing the tuition? Dive into Codecademy, The Odin Project, and Google’s Career Certificates (on Coursera—first week is free). YouTube is packed with project-based tutorials that help you build stuff you can actually show off during interviews.

Here’s a quick look at how much these options typically cost and how long they take:

Real talk: you don’t have to pay big bucks to get your first job. But if you want a top-paying role fast, a bootcamp or a certificate with a ton of hands-on projects helps. Just make sure you’re building a portfolio along the way—actual projects get you way more interviews than a piece of paper ever will.

Tips to Land Your First High-Paying IT Job

Breaking into IT and grabbing a pay bump isn’t just luck—it’s about smart moves and showing real skills that companies crave. If you’re shooting for one of those juicy entry level IT jobs, here’s what actually works in 2025.

• Build a Real Portfolio: Employers want to see what you can do, not just what you claim on your resume. Put your code out there—GitHub, CodePen, or even personal websites. Link up at least a couple of projects that solve real problems because those catch recruiters' eyes.
• Get Certified (Smartly): A CompTIA A+ or a Google IT certificate is great for resumes, but for web development, JavaScript-specific badges (like freeCodeCamp or Meta Front-End Developer) can set you apart. Just don't waste time on random certificates—stick to ones big companies mention in job ads.
• Practice Real Interview Questions: Tech interviews are no joke. Sites like LeetCode, HackerRank, and Pramp give you the actual questions you’ll face. Nail the basics—arrays, objects, and async JavaScript are staples for web dev interviews now.
• Target Companies That Pay: Not all companies offer the same at entry level. According to Indeed’s 2025 data, tech giants and finance firms pay a median of $78,000 for junior devs, while smaller agencies hover at about $55,000.
• Network (Yes, Really): Referrals still work wonders. Hit up LinkedIn, local meetup groups, or Discord communities focused on web dev. A study from TopResume says 60% of tech hires in 2024 included a direct referral.
• Stay Informed: Subscribe to newsletters like Frontend Mentor, Hacker News, or React Status. That way, you’ll catch new tools or hiring sprints as they happen, not months later.

Check out what companies are paying for junior web roles in 2025, based on the latest job boards:

The biggest takeaway? Focus on skills that are in demand, show your work, and connect with people already working where you want to be. Chasing the right entry level IT jobs is way more effective than blindly sending out resumes. Make each move count and watch those paychecks reflect your effort.