The 20 Best Entry-Level Careers in 2026 (No Experience Required)

Starting your career in 2026 might feel overwhelming, but the data tells an encouraging story. The U.S. labor market is projected to add 6.7 million jobs over the next decade, and many of the fastest-growing occupations are explicitly designed for people with little to no prior experience.

We analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, employer hiring data, and salary trends to identify the 20 best entry-level careers you can start in 2026. These are jobs where you can get hired without years of experience, earn a competitive salary from day one, and build toward a rewarding long-term career.

How we ranked these careers: Each career was scored on four factors — entry-level salary, projected growth rate (BLS 2024–2032), accessibility (education/training required), and long-term advancement potential. Every career on this list can be entered with two years of training or less, or offers structured on-the-job training programs.

Complete Rankings: 20 Best Entry-Level Careers in 2026

Here is the full ranking at a glance. Scroll down for a detailed breakdown of each career organized by industry category.

Healthcare: The Largest Source of Entry-Level Opportunity

Healthcare dominates this list for good reason. The U.S. is facing a critical shortage of medical workers at every level, and the aging Baby Boomer population is only accelerating demand. Six of our top 20 entry-level careers are in healthcare, and most can be entered with a certificate or two-year degree.

3. Registered Nurse (ADN) — $81,220

Registered nurses assess patients, administer medications, coordinate care plans, and serve as the backbone of every hospital and clinic in the country. While many RNs hold bachelor's degrees, you can enter the profession with a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

The growth rate of 6% translates to roughly 177,400 new jobs through 2032 — one of the largest absolute increases of any occupation. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for RNs who want to pursue their BSN while working.

4. Dental Hygienist — $81,400

Dental hygienists clean teeth, take X-rays, and educate patients on oral health — all while earning over $80,000 with just an associate degree. The profession boasts excellent work-life balance, with many hygienists working four-day weeks.

Projected growth of 7% is faster than average, driven by an aging population that needs more preventive dental care. This is one of the highest-paying two-year degrees in America.

8. Medical Assistant — $38,270

Medical assistants handle both clinical and administrative tasks in doctors' offices, hospitals, and outpatient facilities. A postsecondary certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete.

With a 14% growth rate, this is one of the fastest-expanding entry-level healthcare roles. It is also a proven launchpad — many medical assistants advance to nursing, health administration, or physician assistant programs.

10. Phlebotomist — $38,530

Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, and donations. The training is remarkably fast: most certificate programs take just four to eight months. This makes phlebotomy one of the fastest entry points into the healthcare industry.

Growth of 8% is above average, and many phlebotomists use the role as a stepping stone into medical laboratory technology or nursing.

12. Pharmacy Technician — $37,790

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescriptions, manage inventory, and assist customers. Many employers, including major pharmacy chains, offer paid training programs that require only a high school diploma to start.

Pharmacy tech is an excellent first career in healthcare. It introduces you to pharmaceutical knowledge, patient interaction, and the healthcare system — all skills that transfer well if you later pursue pharmacy school or nursing.

15. Dental Assistant — $41,170

Dental assistants work chairside with dentists, preparing instruments, taking impressions, and making patients comfortable during procedures. Certificate programs typically take nine to eleven months.

An 8% growth rate keeps demand healthy, and many dental assistants go on to become dental hygienists with additional education — nearly doubling their salary in the process.

20. Home Health Aide — $33,530

Home health aides provide personal care and basic health monitoring to elderly and disabled patients in their homes. No formal education is required — most employers provide on-the-job training.

The 22% growth rate is among the highest on this list, driven by the massive shift toward home-based care. While starting pay is modest, this career provides immediate employment and a direct pathway into nursing assistant and nursing careers.

RankMyCareer insight: Healthcare entry-level careers have a unique advantage — clearly defined advancement ladders. A phlebotomist can become a lab tech. A medical assistant can become an RN. A dental assistant can become a hygienist. Every rung of the ladder pays more, and employers often help fund your education to get there.

Technology: High Ceilings, Low Barriers

Tech careers dominate every "best jobs" list for a reason. They offer strong salaries even at the entry level, clear paths to six-figure income, and many positions can be accessed without a four-year degree. The key is demonstrable skills over credentials.

1. Web Developer — $80,730

Web developers design and build websites and web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and modern frameworks. This is the number one career on our list because it combines a high entry-level salary with exceptional growth and multiple pathways in.

You can break into web development through a coding bootcamp (typically 12–16 weeks), a two-year associate degree, or self-teaching with a strong portfolio. The 16% growth rate is double the national average, and experienced developers frequently move into software development roles earning $130,000+.

6. IT Support Specialist — $59,660

IT support specialists troubleshoot hardware and software issues, set up equipment, and maintain networks for businesses and organizations. A CompTIA A+ certification and a help desk internship are often enough to land your first role.

This career is a proven launchpad into higher-paying tech roles. Many IT support specialists advance into systems administration, cybersecurity, or specialized technical support within two to three years.

Both of these tech careers share a critical advantage: your skills compound over time. Every project you complete, every language you learn, and every system you troubleshoot makes you more valuable. Employers in tech care far more about what you can do than where you went to school.

Skilled Trades: The Overlooked Goldmine

Skilled trades are experiencing a historic boom. A retiring workforce, massive infrastructure spending, and the clean energy transition have created shortages that are pushing wages up across every trade. Most trades offer paid apprenticeships, meaning you earn while you learn instead of taking on student debt.

2. Wind Turbine Technician — $61,770

Wind turbine technicians install, inspect, maintain, and repair wind turbines. This is the single fastest-growing occupation in the entire BLS database, with a staggering 60% projected growth rate through 2032.

Most positions require only a technical certificate from a community college program (typically two years or less). The combination of explosive demand and limited supply makes this one of the most promising entry-level careers in the country.

5. Electrician — $61,590

Electricians install and maintain electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in homes, businesses, and factories. Entry is through a four-to-five-year paid apprenticeship where you earn while you train.

The 11% growth rate is driven by construction activity, EV charging infrastructure, and solar installations. Master electricians who run their own businesses frequently earn over $100,000. The Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure legislation have secured demand for decades.

7. Solar Panel Installer — $48,800

Solar PV installers assemble, set up, and maintain solar panel systems on rooftops and ground-mounted arrays. The barrier to entry is remarkably low: a high school diploma and on-the-job training are typically all you need.

With a 22% growth rate, solar installation is one of the fastest-growing trades in America. Experienced installers who move into project management or sales roles can earn well above $70,000.

9. Plumber — $60,090

Plumbers install and repair piping systems in residential and commercial buildings. Like electricians, plumbers enter through paid apprenticeships and can eventually run their own businesses.

The median salary of $60,090 is just the starting point. Licensed master plumbers in high-demand metro areas routinely earn $90,000 to $120,000, and business owners can earn significantly more. This is a career that AI cannot automate.

11. HVAC Technician — $51,390

HVAC technicians install and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. A postsecondary certificate or associate degree gets you started, and many employers offer apprenticeship programs.

Every building in America needs climate control, making HVAC one of the most recession-resistant trades. The transition to high-efficiency heat pumps is creating new demand on top of already-strong replacement and maintenance needs.

16. Construction Laborer — $40,750

Construction laborers perform physically demanding tasks at building, highway, and heavy construction sites. No formal education is required — you can literally start tomorrow.

While the starting salary is modest, construction labor is the ultimate foot-in-the-door career for the trades. Laborers who specialize in a specific trade (electrical, plumbing, carpentry) through on-the-job experience or formal apprenticeship can see their wages increase by 50% to 100% within a few years.

The trades math that nobody talks about: An electrician apprentice starts earning at 18 while a college student starts accumulating debt. By age 22, the electrician has four years of paid experience and zero debt. The college graduate has a degree and $37,000 in loans. The electrician's net financial position is often $150,000+ ahead before the college graduate's career even begins.

Business and Finance: Classic Paths That Still Deliver

Not every great entry-level career requires specialized training. The business and finance sector offers several paths where ambition, people skills, and a high school diploma or short licensing course can lead to a solid income.

13. Insurance Sales Agent — $57,860

Insurance sales agents help individuals and businesses select policies that protect against financial loss. The barrier to entry is low: a high school diploma plus a state licensing exam (typically a few weeks of study) is all you need.

What makes this career compelling is the commission structure. While the median is $57,860, top performers in commercial insurance regularly earn $100,000 to $150,000 within five years. Renewal commissions create a passive income stream that grows over your career.

17. Real Estate Agent — $52,030

Real estate agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Getting started requires completing a pre-licensing course (60–180 hours depending on state) and passing a licensing exam. No college degree is needed.

Earnings are heavily commission-based, which means your income is directly tied to your effort and market knowledge. Successful agents in active markets frequently earn $80,000 to $150,000+, though the first year can be lean while you build your client base.

19. Customer Service Representative — $37,780

Customer service representatives handle complaints, process orders, and provide product information to customers. Nearly every company hires these roles, and a high school diploma is the only requirement.

While the salary is modest and overall employment is declining by 5% due to automation, this career remains valuable as a stepping stone. It teaches communication, problem-solving, and product knowledge that transfers directly into sales management, insurance, or market research roles.

Health and Wellness: A Growing Lifestyle Sector

The wellness industry is booming as Americans invest more in preventive health, fitness, and stress relief. These careers combine meaningful work with flexible schedules and solid growth prospects.

14. Fitness Trainer / Instructor — $46,480

Fitness trainers and group exercise instructors lead workouts, design exercise programs, and help clients achieve their health and fitness goals. Entry requires a certification from an accredited organization (ACE, NASM, or ACSM are the most recognized), which can be earned in three to six months.

The 14% growth rate reflects a cultural shift toward preventive health and wellness. Personal trainers with a niche specialty (post-rehabilitation, senior fitness, athletic performance) can command $70,000 to $100,000+ in private practice.

18. Massage Therapist — $49,860

Massage therapists treat clients by kneading muscles and soft tissues to relieve pain, reduce stress, and promote overall wellness. Most states require completion of a postsecondary program (500–1,000 hours) and passing a licensing exam.

With an 18% growth rate, massage therapy is one of the fastest-growing careers on this list. The flexibility is a major draw — many therapists set their own hours and work in private practice, spas, clinics, or sports facilities.

What Makes a Great Entry-Level Career in 2026?

Not all entry-level jobs are created equal. The careers on this list share several traits that separate them from dead-end positions. Here is what we looked for when building this ranking.

Clear Advancement Pathways

The best entry-level careers are not endpoints — they are launchpads. A medical assistant can become an RN. A web developer can become a software developer. A construction laborer can become a master electrician. Every career on this list has a documented path to higher pay and greater responsibility.

Resilience to AI and Automation

We deliberately included careers that are difficult to automate. Trades require hands-on physical work in unpredictable environments. Healthcare roles demand human empathy and clinical judgment. Even the tech roles on this list (web development, IT support) involve creative problem-solving that current AI cannot fully replicate.

Accessible Training

Every career on this list can be entered with two years of education or less — or through paid on-the-job training. We excluded careers that technically accept entry-level candidates but practically require a four-year degree or years of unpaid internships to be competitive.

Entry-Level Salaries by Education Level

One of the most common questions job seekers ask is whether additional education is worth the investment. The data shows a clear pattern, but it is not as simple as "more school equals more money."

The standout finding: apprenticeship careers offer the best financial deal when you factor in zero tuition cost and immediate earnings. Two-year associate degrees lead to the highest median salaries overall, but the gap narrows when you account for student loan payments.

How to Get Started: A Practical Roadmap

Choosing a career from this list is the first step. Here is how to actually land your first job in each category.

For Healthcare Careers

Start by researching accredited certificate or associate degree programs at your local community college. Programs for phlebotomy, medical assisting, and pharmacy tech are widely available and often have rolling admissions. Clinical rotations are built into the curriculum, giving you real-world experience before you graduate.

For Tech Careers

Build a portfolio. For web development, create three to five sample projects and deploy them online. For IT support, earn a CompTIA A+ certification (about two months of study). Contribute to open-source projects on GitHub to demonstrate real-world collaboration skills.

For Skilled Trades

Contact your local IBEW (electricians), UA (plumbers), or SMWIA (HVAC) union hall about apprenticeship openings. Many state labor departments also maintain apprenticeship databases. If unions have long waitlists, look for non-union contractors offering apprenticeship programs — demand is so high that many shops are eager to train new workers.

For Business/Sales Careers

For insurance, study for and pass your state licensing exam, then apply to agencies that offer training programs (many large carriers train from scratch). For real estate, complete your pre-licensing coursework online and find a brokerage willing to mentor new agents.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 job market is full of opportunity for people willing to learn new skills and show up ready to work. You do not need a four-year degree to start a career that pays well, grows over time, and offers real job security.

The best entry-level career for you depends on your interests, your financial situation, and how quickly you want to start earning. If you want the highest immediate salary, look at nursing, dental hygiene, or web development. If you want the fastest growth outlook, consider wind turbine technology or solar installation. If you want to start earning immediately with zero upfront cost, the skilled trades offer paid apprenticeships that are hard to beat.

Final word from RankMyCareer: The worst career decision you can make in 2026 is no decision at all. Every career on this list can be started within months, not years. Pick the one that excites you, research the specific training path, and take the first step this week. Your future self will thank you for starting today instead of waiting for the "perfect" moment that never comes.

Use RankMyCareer to explore detailed salary data, growth projections, and career health scores for every occupation on this list. Compare careers side-by-side, research regional salary variations, and build a career plan backed by real data — not guesswork.