If you didn’t start on the right career path when in high school, it can feel like the odds are stacked against you. If you don’t have experience, you can’t get a job, but if you can’t get a job, then how can you ever get experience?
The trick is to expand your definition of “experience.” It’s not just about the paid jobs, but also any experience you have using relevant skills in the real world. Utilizing a resume builder and resume templates can help present these experiences effectively.
The key to getting a job without professional experience is understanding what employers want and knowing how to prove you can do it. Below, we’ll provide the best advice for getting a high-paying job without experience.
Understanding the Job Market with No Experience
When people have all the traditionally acceptable qualifications and professional experience for a certain job, they tend to let those credentials do all the work. If you’re applying to jobs without experience, however, you may need to use a different strategy.
The best way to succeed is to put time into every application, learning exactly what that company wants and what it values, so you can sell yourself as the answer to all of its problems. To pull this off, think about the following four areas:
- Evolving employer expectations: A college degree has been the qualification of choice for a long time, but many college courses don’t focus on practical training. This has resulted in a workforce lacking key soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, critical thinking, organizational skills, and more. These areas of overall competency are quite important, and now employers are starting to go back to the old style of hiring competent, quick learners and training them in any technical skills they lack. This is happening alongside an increasing acceptance of non-traditional education paths like bootcamps and online courses, making professional jobs more accessible to people of all backgrounds.
- Navigating new opportunities: A highly skilled job doesn’t just mean working in a New York City or San Francisco office anymore. Advancements in communication, security, and collaborative software have made it possible for people to work together across states and countries. This removes a very real financial barrier to professional work—you don’t have to build up thousands of dollars in savings so you can move to an expensive city before starting the job. What’s more, you can even gain experience remotely. You can find internships, apprenticeships, and freelance projects that can be completed from the comfort of your own home, and these will boost your employability significantly.
- Building a professional brand: Just because you don’t have professional experience doesn’t mean you can’t present yourself as a professional. Using platforms like LinkedIn, X, Medium, or personal blogs and portfolio sites can help you showcase your skills, knowledge, passion, and commitment. It’ll also help you build a network you can use to learn more about the industry and even find job opportunities. Your resume also needs to reflect your brand, so if you don’t know how to write a resume, find resources that can teach you.
- Strategic job application: Writing up one resume and one cover letter and sending them to every hiring company you find is not the best strategy for finding a job. Instead, you face every application head-on, setting aside time for research, reading, and resume tailoring. Look up the company, read about what they do, look at resume examples for the role, use LinkedIn to see what kind of people work there, and read the job description until you practically know it by heart. Then, all you have to do is tweak your resume and write a cover letter that reflects all these thoughts.
High Paying Entry-Level Jobs in Various Industries
There are plenty of industries you might assume are out of your league if you don’t have experience, but that’s really not the case. Let’s have a look at a few varied examples.
Healthcare & medical field
Medical assistant
Working in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices, these professionals take care of administrative tasks like taking patient medical histories or scheduling appointments. They might also measure vital signs and assist with examinations. Because of the crucial nature of the role, the number of jobs is projected to grow by 14% in the next 10 years.
- Average salary: $38,270
Entry-level laboratory technician
When you get tests done in a hospital or doctor’s office, lab technicians are the ones who get the results for you. They assist with conducting experiments, analyzing samples, and recording data. They need to know exactly how to prepare specimens, operate lab equipment, and maintain cleanliness and safety standards. Projected growth for this role is 5% over the next 10 years—which is faster than the average of 2-3%.
- Average salary: $57,380
Radiation therapist
Radiation therapists administer radiation treatments to patients with cancer and other serious diseases. They work with oncologists and other medical professionals to develop and deliver treatment plans for each patient, and their main duties are to operate the equipment, monitor the patient, and offer support and education. The number of open jobs is expected to increase by 2% in the next 10 years.
- Average salary: $89,530
Technology & IT sector
IT technician
IT technicians help keep the IT equipment in a company operational and help employees with any problems they might have. They also help with the setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the company’s computer systems—performing tasks like installing software, performing system upgrades, resolving technical issues, and managing security and backup procedures. The expected job growth for the role over the next 10 years is 5%.
- Average salary: $59,660
Junior web developer
Web developers are the kind of programmers who build and maintain websites and web applications. They typically work with languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js. They design website layouts, write code, debug code, and collaborate with designers and other team members to deploy websites. The projected job growth for this role is 16% over the next decade.
- Average salary: $80,730
Data scientist
Data scientists analyze data to extract useful information we can use to make better decisions. They often work in industries like healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and technology, where they help evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization’s practices and propose data-backed ideas for improvement. They use statistical analysis, machine learning algorithms, and programming skills to turn masses of unstructured data into information we can comprehend and learn from. It’s a very in-demand role right now and is projected to grow by 35% over the next decade.
- Average salary: $103,500
Software developer
Software developers design, develop, and maintain software applications or systems across all kinds of industries. They can work on desktop, web, mobile, or enterprise applications, or even work on video games. The most common languages for a software developer are Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript. Over the next ten years, the number of software developer jobs is expected to increase by 25%.
- Average salary: $124,200
Finance & accounting
Junior financial analyst
Financial analysts extract information from financial data to aid in decision-making. They gather and organize financial information, perform financial modeling and forecasting, conduct variance analysis, and use various other techniques to assess and understand an organization’s financial data. They also assist with budgeting and financial planning processes. The projected growth for this role over the next decade is 8%.
- Average salary: $96,220
Junior staff accountant
Staff accountants assist in the day-to-day financial operations of an organization, taking on tasks like recording transactions, reconciling accounts, preparing financial statements, and assisting with audits. Some staff accounts will also conduct financial analysis to identify trends or discrepancies and make sure everything complies with accounting principles and regulations. The number of jobs is expected to grow by 4% over the next 10 years.
- Average salary: $78,000
Entry-level in accounting & finance
Entry-level roles in this area can include a range of responsibilities, such as data entry, basic accounting tasks, financial analysis support, and administrative duties. They can make a great starting point if you want to grow into a more senior accountant role, as you’ll learn all the basics of accounting and build valuable experience. The projected growth for financial managers over the coming decade is 16%.
- Average salary: $139,790
Administration & customer service
Administrative assistant
This kind of assistant typically provides support to executives, managers, or teams within an organization. They perform clerical and administrative tasks like answering phones, scheduling appointments, organizing meetings, drafting correspondence, managing files, and handling office logistics. Unfortunately, the number of jobs is projected to decline by 10% over the next decade, though this will still result in around 316,000 job openings per year.
- Average salary: $44,080
Human resources assistant
HR professionals take care of areas such as employee recruitment, onboarding, training, benefits administration, and personnel records management. Tasks might include posting job openings, screening resumes, scheduling interviews, processing new hire paperwork, maintaining employee databases, and assisting with employee relations activities. The number of HR jobs is expected to grow by 6% over the next 10 years.
- Average salary: $64,240
Customer service jobs
Customer service jobs cover a wide range of roles, from shop floor managers to call center representatives. The goal is either to help customers find what they’re looking for, learn more about a product or service, or tackle any problems they might be having with something they already purchased. The number of these roles is expected to decline by 5% over the next 10 years. However, total employment will still be over 2,500,000, and 373,400 jobs are expected to open every year.
- Average salary: $37,780
Executive assistant
Executive assistants provide high-level administrative support to executives, senior managers, or business leaders within an organization. Their work often goes beyond typical admin tasks and includes strategic planning, project management, and coordination of executive activities. This level of assistant needs to have a good understanding of the industry and the company they’re working in to provide relevant and effective support.
- Average salary: $70,310
Creative & design
Junior graphic designer
A junior graphic designer assists in creating visual concepts using computer software or by hand to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports. The number of jobs for this role is expected to grow by 3% over the next decade.
- Average salary: $57,990
Freelance writer
Freelance writers are self-employed writers who complete work for a number of different clients. They craft articles, blog posts, website content, marketing materials, and more, often on a contractual basis. These writers have the flexibility to choose their projects and manage their schedules, but they must also actively seek out new opportunities and manage client relationships. The projected growth for this kind of role is 4% over the next 10 years.
- Average salary: $73,150
Blogger
Bloggers create and maintain online platforms where they regularly publish written content on topics of interest to their target audience. There are all sorts of subjects to choose from, such as fashion, travel, food, technology, or personal development. Successful bloggers engage with their audience through comments, social media, and email newsletters to build a loyal following or work as in-house bloggers for an established company.
- Average salary: $40,000 – $80,000
Law enforcement & public safety
Entry-level police officer
Entry-level police officers are responsible for maintaining public safety and enforcing laws within their jurisdiction. Typical responsibilities include patrolling assigned areas, responding to emergency calls, conducting investigations, and making arrests when necessary. There are different units you can work in, such as traffic, narcotics, or community policing, depending on department needs and your individual interests. The number of police officer jobs is expected to increase by around 3% by 2032.
- Average salary: $69,160
Firefighter
Firefighters respond to emergency situations involving fires, accidents, hazardous materials, and medical emergencies. They extinguish fires, rescue people and animals, and provide medical assistance as needed. Firefighters also conduct inspections, educate the public about fire safety, and participate in training exercises to maintain their skills. It’s a physically demanding profession that requires bravery and teamwork. The projected growth over the next decade is 4%.
- Average salary: $51,680
Security guard
Security guards monitor and protect property against theft, vandalism, and other illegal activities. They patrol assigned areas, enforce rules, and use surveillance equipment to maintain security. Depending on the specific role, they may also screen individuals and vehicles for unauthorized items or behavior. The number of jobs is expected to stay around the same over the next decade.
- Average salary: $34,770
Sales & marketing
Sales representative
Sales representatives promote and sell products or services to businesses or consumers. They identify potential customers, make sales presentations, negotiate contracts, and follow up to ensure customer satisfaction. You can find them working in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, technology, real estate, or retail. To succeed in sales, you’ll need excellent communication skills, persuasive abilities, and a results-driven mindset. The number of jobs is projected to grow by around 4% in the next 10 years.
- Average salary: $130,600
Marketing associate
Marketing associates help businesses create advertisements that target specific audiences and promote products as effectively as possible. They conduct market research, analyze consumer behavior, and assist in creating advertising materials such as social media posts, email campaigns, and print ads. Marketing Associates also help monitor campaign performance and gather feedback to inform future strategies. Job numbers are estimated to grow by around 6% over the next decade.
- Average salary: $138,730
Real estate agent
Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, or rent properties such as homes, commercial buildings, or land. They guide clients through the entire transaction process, including property listings, market analysis, negotiations, and closing procedures. Estate agents also network with other industry professionals, attend open houses, and stay updated on market trends to better serve their clients. Growth for this role is at the national average with a 3% increase in job numbers expected by 2032.
- Average salary: $52,030
Education & tutoring
Tutor
Tutors provide academic support and instruction to students in one-on-one or small-group settings. They cover subjects such as math, science, language arts, or test preparation. Tutors assess student needs, develop customized learning plans, and track progress over time. Patience, adaptability, and a passion for teaching are essential qualities for effective tutoring. The expected growth for this job is 3% over the next decade.
- Average salary: $36,680
Virtual assistant
Virtual assistants provide administrative support to teachers, professors, or educational institutions remotely. They may perform tasks such as scheduling appointments, organizing documents, managing emails, and assisting with online course materials. These kinds of assistants also help facilitate communication between students, parents, and faculty members.
- Average salary: $44,080
Miscellaneous jobs
Claims adjuster
Claims adjusters investigate insurance claims to determine the extent of coverage and the appropriate settlement amount. They interview claimants, witnesses, and experts, and inspect damaged property to assess the validity of claims. It’s also common for them to negotiate settlements with claimants or their representatives and even testify in legal proceedings if disputes arise. Employment in this kind of job is expected to decline by around 3% over the next decade.
- Average salary: $72,040
Garbage collector
Garbage collectors collect and dispose of waste and recyclable materials from residential, commercial, and industrial areas. They operate garbage trucks, pick up trash containers, and transport waste to disposal sites or recycling centers. Garbage collectors may also sort recyclables and assist in maintaining collection equipment. It’s quite a physically demanding job that requires stamina, teamwork, and a commitment to environmental sustainability.
- Average salary: $45,760
Strategies for Landing High-Paying Jobs without Experience
The first step to landing a well-paid job is choosing what you want to aim for. If you want to shoot for the stars salary-wise, the best kind of jobs to aim for are those with skills you can learn online and showcase through a portfolio. This goes for jobs like software developer, data scientist, graphic designer, web developer, accounting roles, freelance writer, tutor, and more.
As you study your new set of skills, it’s also important to start building a network right away. Look for online communities, participate in subreddits and forums, attend events, or get to know other students if you’re taking a course.
When you’re starting out, you don’t really know enough about the industry and the role to be picky about your network, so it’s best to just connect with everyone you can to increase your chances of success. Stay up to date with the communities you join and stay visible on social media like LinkedIn so people remember you and think of your name when an opportunity pops up.
The idea here is to create the foundations of a career that will last for decades, so it’s important to do things properly. Remember that you’ll be aiming for an entry-level role to start with, and keep yourself on track by looking at job descriptions and learning what people expect from entry-level employees in your chosen career.
Resources for your job search
The biggest tip for landing a job without experience is to make sure you can prove your skills. Proving your skills means different things in different careers, so you’ll need to research what applies to you. Typically, certifications and portfolios are the way to go. They take the emphasis off how you learned and put the spotlight on what you can do.
Always remember to leverage services like recruitment agencies, and platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Medium to interact with people and share your skills.
You can also get help with your resume and cover letter writing—using a resume builder can help you get a concise and professional resume more quickly, and resume checkers can even grade the result. Writing a new cover letter for every application can also get tiring very quickly, especially if writing isn’t your strong suit, but you can speed things up with a cover letter generator.
Conclusion
Exploring and researching is an important step in finding the right career, so don’t be afraid to look into anything you enjoy or don’t know much about. You don’t know where you might find something that sparks your interest. When you find a path to follow, just remember to focus on your skill-building and networking because knowing the right people and being able to do the job are the most important things! Just stay optimistic, do things at a pace that doesn’t put you in financial discomfort, and keep at it until you get there.
List of Keywords for Job Seekers
- high paying jobs no experience
- high paying jobs with no experience
- no experience jobs
- high paying entry-level jobs
- high paying jobs without a degree
- high paying careers
- easy high paying jobs
- high paying jobs no degree
- high paying jobs that don’t require a degree
- entry level jobs that pay well
- easy jobs that pay well without experience
- high paying online jobs no experience
- best paying jobs without a degree
- jobs that pay well without a degree
- well paying jobs without a degree
- jobs with no experience needed
- good paying jobs with no experience
- high-paying jobs without a degree or experience
- easiest high paying jobs
- best jobs without a degree
- jobs that don’t require a degree
- careers that pay well without a degree
- high-paying jobs with no experience and no degree
- entry-level jobs that pay well no degree
Highest Paying Jobs with No Experience FAQs
It’s possible to get a well-paid job without professional work experience, but it’s still important to gather as much alternative experience as you can. This means internships, apprenticeships, freelance work, open-source work, charity work, and any other opportunities you can find to test your skills in a real-world situation.
The best-paying jobs you can get without any experience are often ones where you can start in an entry-level role and move up quickly. This applies to many tech sector jobs, like software developer, web developer, data analyst, UX designer, and more.
A college education can definitely help you find a job if you don’t have experience, but current trends are starting to turn away from degrees. It’s much more inclusive to interview candidates based on skills, so companies are starting to accept online studies, bootcamps, and other forms of education as well.
Salary negotiation is a difficult topic, and it’s always best to get professional advice on your individual circumstances. However, if you’re applying for your first role, it’s typically okay to accept a job offer with a lower salary so you can take the opportunity to get your foot in the door and earn some of that all-important professional experience.
There are entry-level roles in just about every industry, so it’s more about the position than the industry itself. For example, you won’t be able to get a job as a doctor without the required education and experience, but you can get other jobs in the medical industry, like medical assistant or laboratory technician.