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Average Salaries of the Most Common Entry-Level IT Jobs

Entry-level IT jobs offer some of the strongest starting salaries in the U.S. labor market, with median pay across common roles ranging from roughly $63,000 for computer support specialists to well over $105,000 for computer systems analysts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent data (May 2025). The technology field continues to reward credentialed entry-level workers well above the national median wage, and understanding exactly where each role falls on the pay scale helps you target the certifications and training that produce the fastest return. Below is a current breakdown of what you can realistically expect to earn across the most common entry points into an IT career, along with the growth outlook, in-demand skills, and certifications that separate higher earners from the pack. bls

Why Entry-Level IT Salaries Have Shifted

The IT job market has changed considerably since older salary surveys were published. Several roles that once required only basic troubleshooting skills, like network administration, now command six-figure median salaries because of the added complexity of cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity requirements, and hybrid work environments. At the same time, some traditional roles like computer programming have seen job outlook figures decline, as automation and low-code tools shift demand toward adjacent, higher-skill positions like software development and DevOps. This means it's no longer enough to pick "an IT job" — the specific role, specialization, and certification path now drive salary far more than a generic IT job title alone. bls

Current Entry-Level IT Salaries by Role

Here's how the most common entry-level and early-career IT roles compare using the latest BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook figures (May 2025 data) alongside real-world entry-level ranges reported by job platforms: bls

*Software developer figure reflects OEWS national median; BLS occupational handbook separates this from computer programmers. rockstardeveloperuniversity

IT Support and Help Desk: The Common Starting Point

Computer support specialists remain the most accessible entry point into IT, since this is one of the few technology roles where a bachelor's degree is genuinely optional rather than a soft requirement. The category splits into two distinct paths with different pay ceilings: computer network support specialists earn a median of $76,220, while computer user support specialists (help desk roles) earn a median of $61,860. Entry-level Tier 1 help desk positions typically start around $41,000, with progression to Tier 3 or supervisory roles pushing past $80,000 as experience and certifications like CompTIA A+ or Network+ accumulate. Employers increasingly expect at least one foundational certification even for Tier 1 roles, since it shortens onboarding time and demonstrates baseline troubleshooting competence. bls

Network and Systems Administration

Network and computer systems administrators have seen substantial wage growth, with the national median now sitting at $99,130 — a marked increase driven by the complexity of managing hybrid cloud environments, security compliance, and distributed teams. Entry-level administrators handling basic Active Directory management, ticket resolution, and user provisioning typically start between $59,000 and $73,000, with senior, cloud-fluent administrators earning $150,000 or more in specialized industries or high-cost metro areas. Administrators who add a cloud platform certification, such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, often see faster promotion into hybrid infrastructure roles. bls

Programming and Software Development

This category illustrates why role specificity matters more than ever. Computer programmers, a BLS category increasingly associated with legacy coding tasks, now show a projected employment decline of 7% as automation and outsourcing continue reshaping the role, even though median pay remains a respectable $100,390. Software developers, by contrast, occupy a separate and faster-growing BLS category with a considerably higher median wage of $133,080, reflecting the premium placed on full-stack and application development skills over narrower programming tasks. Entry-level developers can expect starting salaries between $75,000 and $95,000 in most markets, with total compensation climbing quickly as they take on cloud-native and DevOps responsibilities. bls

Database Administration and Systems Analysis

Database administrators earned a median of $104,620 as of May 2025, with the field showing above-average job growth as organizations continue expanding data infrastructure and analytics capabilities. Entry-level DBAs typically start in the $65,000–$85,000 range depending on the platform (SQL Server, Oracle, cloud-native databases) and industry, with finance and healthcare sectors generally paying above the median. Computer systems analysts, who bridge business needs and technical implementation, earn a median of $105,850, with entry-level analysts starting between $67,340 and $82,860 based on current percentile data. bls

Information Security and Cloud: Highest Earning Potential

Information security analysts now command the highest median salary among commonly cited entry-to-mid-level IT roles, at $129,180 as of May 2025 — a dramatic increase reflecting the sustained demand for cybersecurity talent across every industry. Even the 25th percentile for this role sits at $97,810, meaning even below-median security analysts often out-earn median software developers. Industry salary research consistently shows certifications correlate with meaningful pay increases, with some surveys reporting average raises of roughly $13,000 once a new credential is added to a resume. Cloud skills add further upside: entry-level cloud support roles built on foundational credentials like AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals typically pay $55,000–$75,000, while entry-level cloud engineering can start between $60,000 and $90,000. bls

Questions Worth Asking Before Choosing an IT Path

A few gaps salary surveys typically skip, but that meaningfully affect which entry point makes sense for you:

• Are you choosing a role based on today's median salary, or accounting for growth trajectory? Programming pays well today but shows declining demand, while security and systems administration show the opposite pattern. kore1
• Does the role require ongoing certification renewal, and have you priced that into your long-term earning calculation? Security- and cloud-focused roles especially demand continuing education as platforms and threats evolve.
• Is your target salary realistic for your local market, or are you anchoring to national medians that ignore regional cost-of-living gaps? A network administrator in a major metro can out-earn the same title elsewhere by $20,000 or more. kore1
• Which entry-level roles offer the clearest path to six figures within three to five years? Database administration, information security, and cloud-adjacent systems administration show some of the steepest early-career growth curves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which entry-level IT job pays the most right now? Information security analyst positions carry the highest median salary among common entry-to-mid-level IT roles at $129,180, though this role often requires foundational certifications like Security+ before employers consider candidates without a computer science degree. bls

Do I need a college degree to start an entry-level IT career? No, not for every role. Computer support specialist positions explicitly allow candidates without a bachelor's degree, and many network administration and help desk roles prioritize certifications like CompTIA A+ and Network+ over a four-year degree. bls

Is computer programming still a good entry point into IT? It depends on your long-term goals. Computer programmer roles show a projected 7% employment decline, while the closely related software developer category is growing rapidly with a higher median salary, so pursuing broader development skills, ideally with a cloud specialization, generally offers better long-term security. bls

Choosing the right entry point into IT comes down to matching your interests with the certifications that unlock the strongest salary growth. Explore TrainACE's full range of IT certification courses — from CompTIA A+ and Network+ to Security+ and beyond to find the training path that fits your career goals and budget.