--- title: Best Entry-Level Jobs 2026: Top Roles, Salaries, Paths description: Best entry-level jobs 2026 across Tech, Healthcare, Finance, Marketing & Education. BLS-sourced salaries, growth data, and career-path tiers for new grads. type: article url: https://www.foundrole.com/blog/best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths date: 2026-05-30T10:07:02Z og_description: The recent-grad market looks scary on paper — and stronger than headlines suggest. Five industries, BLS salaries, and a 3-tier career-path map for 2026 grads. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/img/pages/mvr654/best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths.png?v=2 breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Blog url: https://www.foundrole.com/blog - label: Entry-Level Jobs url: https://www.foundrole.com/blog/category/entry-level-jobs --- **Author:** Jessica Baker **Reading time:** 13 minutes **Tags:** AI Career, Soft Skills, Resume Writing, First Job The unemployment rate for recent college grads hit **5.6% in March 2026**. That's one of the worst readings in a decade outside the pandemic spike, and well above the national rate of 4.3% ([NY Fed via CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/select/class-of-2026-hiring-stats-and-ai-trends/)). The headline looks brutal. The full picture isn't. Employers told NACE in their [Spring 2026 update](https://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/2026/job-outlook/spring-update/) that entry-level hiring will rise **5.6%** for the Class of 2026, a sharp revision upward from the +1.6% projection they made in November. Two identical numbers, opposite stories. The market is hiring; it's just harder to find the openings. Here's where it gets harder. Thousands of postings labelled "entry-level" actually require 2-3 years of experience. New grads apply blind, with no salary benchmarks and no growth data. And **35% of entry-level postings now mention AI skills** ([NACE/Handshake via CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/select/class-of-2026-hiring-stats-and-ai-trends/)), shifting the bar again. The best entry-level jobs in 2026 are concentrated in **five industries**: Tech, Healthcare, Finance, Marketing, and Education. This guide gives you the BLS-sourced salaries, the realistic offer ranges, the growth projections through 2034, and a career-path map showing how fast each track moves. ## Best Entry-Level Jobs by Industry Per NACE's [April 2026 Spring Update](https://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/2026/job-outlook/spring-update/), the five macro categories adding the most entry-level hires for the Class of 2026 are Information, Engineering Services, Wholesale Trade, Construction, and Miscellaneous Professional Services. That's a meaningful shift from November 2025, when Finance/Insurance and Management Consulting led the list. The roles below map to those macro categories and to the industries new grads actually search for. ### Tech & Software Tech rolls up under NACE's Information category, which now leads entry-level hiring growth. Browse [Technology sector hiring trends](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-sector) to see live role volume across software, data, and IT. - **Junior Software Developer.** Build and maintain software next to senior engineers. CS degree or a serious coding bootcamp is the typical entry. BLS reports a national median of **$133,080** across all experience levels for Software Developers ([BLS Software Developers OOH](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm)); realistic first-year offers land at **$55–75K**. Projected growth: 15% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average. Explore [Software Development industry jobs and salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/software-development?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-industry) for current openings. - **IT Support Specialist.** Daily troubleshooting, hardware and software help, infrastructure tickets. BLS median **$61,550** in May 2024, but employment is projected to **decline 3%** through 2034 as AI absorbs routine helpdesk tasks ([BLS Computer Support Specialists OOH](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm)). The role still produces around 50,500 openings a year from replacement demand. Treat it as a launchpad, not a destination — advancement to systems admin or network engineering matters more than ever. - **Digital Marketing Coordinator.** Multi-channel exposure: social, content, SEO, email. A solid first stop for marketing grads who want to sample before specialising. - **Data Analyst (Entry-Level).** Excel, SQL, basic Python; many roles remote-friendly. Demand tracks the NACE Information-sector hiring surge directly. With 35% of entry-level postings now mentioning AI ([Handshake Class of 2026 outlook via CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/select/class-of-2026-hiring-stats-and-ai-trends/)), basic comfort using AI tools (ChatGPT for drafts, Copilot for code, AI features inside your analytics stack) is already a tiebreaker on the tech side. **Micro-action:** before applying, audit your stack against the [in-demand tech skills for 2026](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/top-10-in-demand-tech-skills-2026-salaries-careers) and add the single gap that's blocking your top three target postings. ### Healthcare Healthcare and social assistance is BLS's fastest-growing sector through 2034 (+8.4%). Browse [Healthcare sector salary data](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/healthcare?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-sector) for live medians. - **Medical Assistant.** Patient care support, admin, clinical procedures. BLS median **$44,200** in May 2024; growth projected at **12%** through 2034, much faster than average ([BLS Medical Assistants OOH](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm)). Realistic entry offers: **$38–48K**. The common path is MA → LPN → RN. - **Patient Care Coordinator.** Scheduling, insurance verification, care coordination. The next step is healthcare admin. - **Healthcare Administrator (Entry-Level).** Records, staff schedules, compliance. A business or healthcare-admin degree helps you start higher. - **Medical Records Specialist** (formerly Health Information Technician; BLS renamed the role in the current OOH). Median **$50,250** in May 2024, projected to grow **7%** through 2034 ([BLS Medical Records OOH](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm)). Realistic entry range: **$42–55K**. Remote options exist here, which is rare in healthcare. See live openings on [Hospitals and Health Care industry roles](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/healthcare/hospitals-and-health-care?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-industry). **Micro-action:** if you're aiming at Medical Records Specialist, look up the RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) credential requirements this week. It's the single fastest accelerator for that ladder. ### Finance & Banking Finance hiring softened in the NACE Spring update relative to November, but the entry roles below are still active and the pay ladder is steep. See [Financial Services sector job market](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/financial-services?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-sector) data. - **Financial Analyst (Entry-Level).** Financial data analysis, report prep, investment support. BLS national median **$101,350** in May 2024; projected growth **6%** through 2034, faster than average ([BLS Financial Analysts OOH](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm)). Entry offers run **$55–70K**. The role has clear advancement; just don't oversell the labour-market expansion. - **Bank Teller / Customer Service Representative.** Hands-on financial-products experience. Many banks promote internally within 1–2 years. - **Insurance Claims Adjuster.** Evaluate claims, investigate damages. Stable income, structured advancement. - **Accounting Assistant.** Bookkeeping, data entry, financial reporting. A CPA path accelerates growth. BLS reports Accountants and Auditors at **$81,680** median (May 2024) as the natural next-step salary, with **5%** growth projected through 2034 ([BLS Accountants and Auditors OOH](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm)). **Micro-action:** while you're in an entry role, check CFA Level I or CPA exam eligibility timelines. Starting the credential clock during your first year is the cheapest acceleration available. ### Marketing & Advertising Marketing's career ladder is well-defined and the endpoint is good. Coordinator at **$40–55K** today; Market Research Analyst at a BLS median of **$76,950** within 5–7 years (May 2024, 7% growth, much faster than average, per [BLS Market Research Analysts OOH](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm)). - **Marketing Coordinator.** The most common entry marketing role. Campaign support, social, events, analytics. Ladder: Coordinator → Specialist → Manager. - **Social Media Specialist.** Content creation, audience engagement, metrics. Many roles fully remote. - **Content Marketing Associate.** Writing, email campaigns, content strategy. SEO knowledge is a real differentiator. - **SEO Specialist (Entry-Level).** Keyword research, visibility analysis. Technical skills help; they're not mandatory at the entry tier. **Micro-action:** build a portfolio with **one** case study showing a measurable campaign result. Use a student project, freelance work, or volunteer org. One case study beats five generic claims about "passion for marketing." ### Education & EdTech Education offers meaningful work and high job security. The trade-off is real: starting salaries run **$25–55K**, well below tech or finance. Flag this for yourself early. It changes how you should think about location, cost of living, and side credentials. - **Teaching Assistant.** Classroom experience for education majors. Often part-time or contract; useful while finishing certification or grad school. - **EdTech Support Specialist.** Combines education with technology (training teachers on platforms). Ideal for CS or education grads interested in where the two fields overlap. - **Curriculum Coordinator (Entry-Level).** Develop materials, coordinate planning. Advancement leads to instructional design. ## Entry-Level Salary Ranges by Industry (2026) Treat this as your benchmark sheet before any offer call. NACE's [Winter 2025 Salary Survey](https://www.naceweb.org/job-market/compensation/class-of-2025-salary-projections-mixed) projected average starting salaries of **$78,700** for engineering bachelor's grads, **$76,300** for computer science, and **$65,300** for business. Useful as major-level anchors, but not as role-level expectations. (Class of 2025 actuals will land in NACE's Summer 2026 report.) **Read BLS medians as a ceiling, not a starting point.** BLS national medians cover every experience level. A Software Developer median of $133,080 includes engineers with 10+ years on the resume. Realistic first-year offers run roughly **40–60%** of that median for the same occupation. The table below pairs the two so you can negotiate without anchoring against the wrong number. A worked example of why this matters, IT Support Specialist: - **Old framing:** "$45–60K, Medium growth, path to systems admin." - **BLS-anchored framing:** "$48–65K (median $61,550, May 2024 OEWS), employment projected to **decline 3%** through 2034 as automation absorbs helpdesk tasks." (Source: [BLS OOH page for Computer Support Specialists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm).) Same job. Same starting pay band. Very different decision when you can see the long-run direction. **Location multiplies everything.** High-cost markets like New York, San Francisco, and LA generally lift the same title 20–30% above the national median in our observed offer data. Company size, remote vs. on-site, and industry demand stack on top. **Copy-paste anchor for your next offer call:** > "Based on BLS data and current market offers, the range for \[Role\] in \[City\] is $X–$Y. I'd like to target $\[Y+10%\] given \[specific skill or credential\]." **Micro-action:** before your next interview, pull up the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page for your target role. The OOH median gives you a defensible upper band the hiring manager can't dismiss. ## Growth Potential & Career Paths How fast you advance is a function of three things: the role's structural ladder, the credential you stack on top of it, and the macro tailwind on the occupation. The three entry-level advancement tiers below (**Fast Track, Steady Climb, Ramp Track**) sort the roles in this guide so you can see where your target lands and how long the climb usually takes. ### Fast Track — 2 to 3 years to mid-level These are roles where the next title is structurally close and the macro winds are at your back. - **Tech.** Junior Developer → Software Engineer → Senior Engineer. BLS projects 15% growth for Software Developers through 2034 ([Software Developers occupational profile](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm)), and the broader computer & mathematical group is the second-fastest-growing occupational group in the country at **+10.1%** ([BLS Employment Projections, Aug 2025](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm)). - **Finance.** Financial Analyst → Senior Analyst → Finance Manager. Promotions arrive on merit cycles, not seniority. - **Data.** Data Analyst → Senior Data Analyst → Data Scientist. Same Information-sector tailwind powering tech roles. ### Steady Climb — 3 to 5 years to mid-level Solid ladder, longer rungs. Certifications can compress the timeline. - **Marketing.** Coordinator → Specialist → Manager, with Market Research Analyst at a BLS median of **$76,950** as a common 5-7 year landing zone. - **Healthcare.** Medical Assistant → LPN → RN. The credential is the gate; the ladder runs through licensure. - **Accounting.** Accounting Assistant → Staff Accountant → Senior Accountant. The CPA is the **$81,680**-median gate ([Accountants and Auditors occupational profile](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm)). ### Ramp Track — 1 to 4 years, credential-driven These roles move at the speed of whatever skill or certificate you put behind them. - **Medical Records Specialist.** The RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) cuts the timeline materially. - **SEO Specialist.** Proof-of-work portfolio beats years on a resume. - **EdTech roles.** Platform certifications and demonstrated training delivery accelerate promotion. ### What actually drives promotions in 2026 The structural ladder gets you in the door. These four factors decide how fast you move: - **Skills development.** Certifications and in-demand tools. For tech, that means Python plus comfort with AI tools; for finance, modelling and Excel/Python; for healthcare, EHR systems and HIPAA. - **Exceeding expectations.** Volunteer for the project nobody wants. Hiring managers remember. - **Internal networking and referrals.** Most promotions are decided before the role is posted. - **Skills-based hiring is here.** Nearly **70%** of NACE-surveyed employers now use skills-based hiring ([NACE Spring Update 2026](https://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/2026/job-outlook/spring-update/)). A demonstrated portfolio carries weight equal to (sometimes greater than) GPA and degree prestige. That's a lever you can pull this quarter. Macro context: total U.S. employment is projected to grow **3.1%** from 2024-2034, with healthcare and social assistance the fastest-growing sector at **+8.4%** and computer/math occupations at **+10.1%** ([BLS 2024-2034 projections release](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm)). Where you start matters less than which current you're swimming in. **Micro-action:** map your target role to one of the three tiers above, then name the single certification or skill most likely to accelerate the next jump. One credential, this quarter. Don't try to stack three. ## What Skills Do Entry-Level Employers Actually Want in 2026? The skill bar moved this year. **35% of entry-level postings now require AI skills**, and the share of full-time job postings mentioning AI nearly doubled year-over-year to **4.2%** ([NACE Spring Update / Handshake via CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/select/class-of-2026-hiring-stats-and-ai-trends/)). Most candidates panic at "AI skills" and assume employers want machine-learning chops. They don't. **What employers actually mean by "AI skills" at the entry level:** using AI tools to work faster. ChatGPT for drafting. Copilot for code. AI-enhanced analytics inside Excel, Tableau, or your CRM. The bar is comfort with AI workflows, not building models from scratch. That's a weekend's worth of practice, not a semester. The other half of the shift is bigger: **nearly 70% of NACE-surveyed employers now use skills-based hiring** ([NACE 2026 Spring Update report](https://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/2026/job-outlook/spring-update/)). Portfolios and demonstrated projects now carry weight equal to (sometimes greater than) GPA and degree prestige. That means a focused list of [the tech skills employers actually screen for](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/top-10-in-demand-tech-skills-2026-salaries-careers) plus a single proof-of-work artifact can beat a stronger resume that has neither. The entry-level skills employers want most in 2026: - **Tech.** Python, SQL, cloud basics (AWS or GCP fundamentals), plus AI/LLM familiarity. - **Healthcare.** EHR systems (Epic, Cerner), data accuracy, HIPAA compliance. - **Finance.** Excel + light Python, financial modelling, data visualisation. - **Marketing.** Google Analytics, SEO tooling, AI-assisted content workflows. - **Education.** LMS platforms (Canvas, Schoology), EdTech tools, basic data literacy. **Soft skills still dominate the rankings every year** (communication, problem-solving, teamwork), consistent across all five industries. Don't skip them; just don't list them generically. **Before/after on a skills bullet:** - **Weak:** "Familiar with Microsoft Office." - **Strong:** "Built an automated reporting workflow in Excel + Python that cut monthly reconciliation time by 40%." The strong version proves the skill, names the tool, and quantifies the result. That's the template. **Micro-action:** audit your resume against the top three hard skills for your target industry above. Pick the biggest gap. Draft one new bullet using the embed's four-field template (skill, evidence, result, written bullet) this week. ## How to Find and Apply for Entry-Level Jobs The unemployment headline scared a lot of grads off, but the time-to-first-job number tells a different story. **77.2% of recent graduates landed a role within three months** of graduating in the most recent ZipRecruiter Annual Grad Report, up from 63.3% the year before ([via CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/select/class-of-2026-hiring-stats-and-ai-trends/)). Strategic searching works faster than the anxiety headlines suggest. Here's the channel order working in 2026. ### Where to search, in priority order - **FoundRole.** Filter by industry and experience level, then [search entry-level roles by industry](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-inline). Set up alerts for two or three specific industries, not generic "entry-level" queries. - **LinkedIn.** Search `"[Role Title] entry level"` with quotes, turn on job alerts, and apply within the first 24 hours of a posting. Recruiters review the early batch first. - **Indeed.** Highest posting volume; the experience-level filter is reliable. Pair it with a saved-search alert. - **Company career pages.** Often post 24-48 hours before the aggregators pick them up. If you have a target list of 10 employers, check their pages weekly. ### Search keywords that surface real entry-level postings - `entry-level [role title]` - `junior [role title]` (tech especially) - `[role title] no experience required` - `recent graduate [role title]` - `associate [role title]` (finance, consulting, professional services) ### Red flags for fake "entry-level" postings - Requires **3+ years of experience** despite the "entry-level" label. - "Competitive salary" with no range. Usually means below market. - No mention of training or onboarding structure. - Glassdoor reviews show weak mentorship or no promotion track record. ### Quality signals worth looking for - "Training provided" or "recent graduates welcome" in the description. - Posted salary range. - Visible internal-promotion history on the company's LinkedIn page. ### Quality beats volume Tailored materials plus skills-based evidence (portfolio, GitHub, case study) outperform spray-and-pray every time. A flood of 100 generic applications gets you fewer responses than 10 tailored ones with a portfolio link. Tools help: [track your job applications](https://www.foundrole.com/job-tracker?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-tracker) so you know which roles you've customised for and which still need work. If you're earlier in the process, the [first-job step-by-step blueprint](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/how-to-find-your-first-job-10-essential-steps-2026-guide) walks the full 10-step setup before you hit "apply." For resume work, pull from [entry-level resume templates with no experience](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/entry-level-resume-examples-10-templates-with-no-experience). And if you're still weighing internship versus full-time, the [internship vs entry-level decision guide](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/internship-vs-entry-level-job-which-should-you-choose-in-2026) lays out the trade-offs. **Micro-action:** set up one job alert on FoundRole for your target role plus industry this week. Thirty focused minutes on a real opening beats an hour of scrolling. ## Start Your Entry-Level Job Search With a Plan The headline numbers told a scary story. The full picture is steadier. The best entry-level jobs in 2026 sit inside five industries (Tech, Healthcare, Finance, Marketing, and Education), and entry-level hiring is up **5.6%** per [NACE's Spring Update](https://www.naceweb.org/research/reports/2026/job-outlook/spring-update/). Most entry-level employees reach mid-level in **2-3 years** (Fast Track) or **3-5 years** (Steady Climb), and skills-based hiring at 70% of employers means a real portfolio can compress either timeline. **Three steps to start this week:** 1. Place your target role on the **Fast Track, Steady Climb, or Ramp Track** tier. 2. Audit your skills against the top three hard skills for that industry; draft one new resume bullet from a real gap. 3. Apply to **5 targeted roles per week** with tailored materials. Quality beats volume every time. [Browse entry-level job listings](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=best-entry-level-jobs-in-2026-complete-guide-by-industry-career-paths&utm_content=cta-conclusion) on FoundRole, set up alerts for your target industries, and track every application in one place. Run LinkedIn and Indeed alongside it. The goal is to be in the first batch of applicants on every relevant posting, not to spray-and-pray across a dozen platforms. One last number to keep on you: **77.2%** of last year's grads landed a role within three months of graduating ([ZipRecruiter via CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/select/class-of-2026-hiring-stats-and-ai-trends/)). The variable that mattered most was starting early and applying strategically. You already have the plan. Open one alert today. ## Latest Articles - [First Tech Job 2026: The Proof-Pack Plan That Works](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/how-to-find-your-first-tech-job-complete-guide-for-2026) - [How to Find Your First Job in 2026: 10-Step Blueprint](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/how-to-find-your-first-job-10-essential-steps-2026-guide) - [Internship vs Entry-Level Job: Which to Choose in 2026](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/internship-vs-entry-level-job-which-should-you-choose-in-2026) - [How to Get Hired Without a Degree in 2026 (Full Guide)](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/how-to-get-hired-without-a-degree) - [Resume Examples: 25 Templates for Every Job (2026)](https://www.foundrole.com/blog/resume-examples-25-templates-for-every-job-industry) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are the highest-paying entry-level jobs in 2026? Tech roles lead entry-level pay in 2026: Junior Software Developer offers run $55-75K and Data Analyst lands $50-70K. Finance follows closely — Financial Analyst entry offers run $55-70K, with BLS reporting a $101,350 national median across all experience levels to anchor your negotiation ceiling. Location multiplies these numbers: roles in NYC, San Francisco, and LA typically pay 20-30% above national averages for the same title. ### Which industries are hiring the most entry-level candidates in 2026? The NACE Job Outlook 2026 Spring Update lists the top five industries adding entry-level hires as Information, Engineering Services, Wholesale Trade, Construction, and Miscellaneous Professional Services. That's a notable shift from November 2025, when Finance/Insurance and Management Consulting led the list — both dropped off the top five. Healthcare continues steady growth (+8.4% projected 2024-34 per BLS) and remains one of the most reliable sectors for entry-level hiring volume. ### Do entry-level jobs really require experience in 2026? True entry-level roles require 0-2 years of experience, but many postings labelled 'entry-level' on job boards actually require 2-3 years — a well-documented mismatch. Filter for postings that explicitly state 'recent graduates welcome,' 'training provided,' or '0-1 years experience' to find genuine openings. Nearly 70% of NACE-surveyed employers now use skills-based hiring (Spring Update 2026), so a strong portfolio or GitHub can substitute for years of experience. ### How fast can I advance from an entry-level job to a mid-level role? In Tech and Finance (Fast Track tier), most entry-level employees reach mid-level within 2-3 years — Software Engineer and Senior Financial Analyst are common next steps. In Marketing, Healthcare, and Accounting (Steady Climb tier), the typical window is 3-5 years, though certifications (Google Analytics, CPA, RHIT) can compress it. With 70% of employers evaluating skills directly, a demonstrable portfolio can earn promotion ahead of the traditional schedule. ### What entry-level jobs are growing fastest — and which are declining? The fastest-growing entry-level occupations through 2034 are in healthcare (Medical Assistant +12%, Medical Records Specialist +7%) and tech (Software Developer +15%, broader computer/math group +10.1%). One notable decline: Computer Support Specialists are projected to contract -3% through 2034 as AI absorbs helpdesk tasks, though the role still generates ~50,500 annual openings from replacement demand. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Aug 2025. ### What AI skills do I need for entry-level jobs in 2026? 35% of entry-level job postings now require AI skills, but most don't mean building machine learning models — they mean using AI tools to work faster (ChatGPT for drafts, Copilot for code, AI-enhanced analytics for data). The highest-value AI skills by industry: Python plus LLM API familiarity for tech, AI-assisted analytics for finance and marketing, AI-augmented documentation for healthcare. The easiest proof: one portfolio project where you used an AI tool and quantified the result. ### What is a realistic entry-level salary in 2026 for a new college graduate? NACE's Winter 2025 Salary Survey projects Class of 2025 starting salaries at $78,700 for engineering, $76,300 for computer science, and $65,300 for business bachelor's grads. Role-specific offers land below those averages: a Junior Software Developer typically starts at $55-75K, a Marketing Coordinator at $40-55K, and a Medical Assistant at $38-48K. BLS medians (e.g., Software Developer $133,080) span all experience levels — use them as a negotiation ceiling, not a starting baseline. --- [Browse all articles](https://www.foundrole.com/blog)