Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on
Explore five types of tech jobs for candidates with no experience who desire remote work.
In recent years, several tech industry leaders announced their decision to drop bachelor’s degree requirements. Today, IBM is the largest American tech company by employment. Only 29 percent of its information technology (IT) job postings include degree requirements [1]. This creates additional opportunities for those without degrees or those with degrees in unrelated fields. The article below explores opportunities you can use to enter the tech industry—regardless of your professional and educational background.
What are entry-level tech jobs?
Entry-level jobs exist in every industry. They typically require the least amount of training or experience to perform. Entry-level positions are ideal for job seekers new to a career field or transitioning into a related role. Often, people hear the phrase “tech entry-level jobs” and think of software developers, programmers, and other coding-based professions. Many tech entry-level jobs fall under this category.
However, there are other career paths for aspiring tech professionals to consider. You can find tech entry-level jobs in various industries, including marketing, finance, and content creation. If none of the roles below sound like a good fit, consider expanding the scope of your search. A tech-focused career outside the realm of what is traditionally considered to be tech may better suit you.
Read more: 10 Work-From-Home-Jobs that Pay Well
Job outlook for tech professionals
The average growth rate for all occupations is 8 percent, per the BLS. In the computer and information technology field, the average growth rate is 15 percent. This statistic translates into about 667,600 new jobs between 2021 and 2031 [2]. Emphasis on information security, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing are key contributors to the demand for tech professionals.
How AI can impact entry-level tech jobs
In recent years, companies have begun to increase their use of AI technology. These technological advancements can make it more difficult for entry-level tech professionals to break into the field. Consider focusing on in-demand, AI-related skills to demonstrate your ability to adapt to new technology quickly. You can start by researching AI tools and use cases in your desired industry.
How much do tech entry-level jobs pay?
Due to the broad range of tech entry-level jobs, a single median salary can't adequately reflect all relevant occupations. Instead, you may compare the average yearly pay in the US for all occupations with those in the tech sector. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual US wage for all occupations is $45,760. In contrast, the median annual US salary for computer and information technology roles is $97,430 [2].
5 tech entry-level jobs that don’t require experience or a commute
According to the data scientists at Ladders (a job searching platform for positions paying $100,000+ per year), remote work accounted for 15 percent of the highest-paying jobs in the US and Canada in 2021 [3]. Additionally, studies into the effects of remote work on US workers revealed that 74 percent of employees believe working from home positively impacts their mental health [4].
Whether you’re interested in remote work for higher pay or better working conditions, the transition may be easier than you think. The following list outlines tech roles that tend to be entry level and remote friendly, although this can vary by company. As you browse this list of remote-friendly, entry-level tech jobs, consider your existing strengths. Characteristics like attention to detail and interpersonal skills can help guide your search to a career that values your unique skill set.
1. Junior technical writer
As of June 2023, over 2,200 technical writer positions are listed on Glassdoor. Over 400 of these roles are fully remote [5]. Just 63 percent of technical writers have a degree in English, communications, or a related field [6]. Many employers value technical writers who possess computer and information technology expertise. As a technical writer, you can also build a portfolio of your best work that can effectively demonstrate your abilities to potential employers.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median US pay for technical writers with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [7].
| Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| $61,080 | $3,197 | $64,276 |
Skills: Research, communication skills, technical proficiency, attention to detail, ability to work independently and collaboratively
Responsibilities: Technical writers are responsible for writing and updating company documents like instructional manuals, procedural guides, reference material, and product descriptions. They work closely with the product team and may also create diagrams and other visual aids to accompany their work.
How to get started: Try Stanford’s Writing in the Sciences course.
2. Entry-level technical project manager
As of June 2023, over 64,000 technical project manager positions are listed on Glassdoor. Over 9,000 of these roles are fully remote [8]. Sixty-six percent of technical project managers in the US have a degree in computer science, information technology, business, or a related field [9]. Additionally, many employers cite IT knowledge, leadership experience, and management expertise as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median US pay for technical project managers with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [10].
| Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| $90,711 | $17,763 | $108,474 |
Skills: Budgeting, project management, communication skills, organization, risk management, subject matter expertise, attention to detail
Responsibilities: A technical project manager’s primary responsibility is to plan, develop, and oversee technical projects. They establish workflow and best practices, coordinate collaboration among teams, and delegate work to other employees.
How to get started: Try IBM's IT Project Manager Professional Certificate.
Read more: What Is a Technical Project Manager + How Do You Become One?
3. IT support technician
As of June 2023, nearly 1,000 IT support technician positions are listed on Glassdoor. Nearly 750 of these roles are fully remote [11]. Fifty-one percent of IT support technicians in the US have a degree in information technology or a related field [12]. In contrast, many employers cite a high school diploma, GED, Google IT certifications, and CompTIA+ certifications as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median US pay for IT support technicians with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [13].
| Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| $42,171 | $1,679 | $43,850 |
Skills: Problem-solving skills, interpersonal, analytical skills, technical proficiency, communication skills
Responsibilities: Someone in an entry-level IT job must respond to help desk requests, troubleshoot computer systems and applications, interact with customers, and install and configure hardware and software. They also document, track, and report support-related issues and requests.
How to get started: Try the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
Read more: 10 Entry-Level IT Jobs and What You Can Do to Get Hired
4. Data entry specialist/analyst
As of June 2023, over 6,600 data entry specialist positions are listed on Glassdoor. Nearly 300 of these roles are fully remote [14]. Only 38 percent of data entry specialists in the US have a degree in information technology or a related tech field [15]. Instead, many employers cite a high school diploma, GED, and similar work experience as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median pay for data entry specialists in the US with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [16].
| Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| $37,393 | $1,263 | $38,656 |
Skills: Typing, technical proficiency, communication skills, attention to detail, organization, time management, research, data collection, familiarity with database structures
Responsibilities: This entry-level tech job requires digitizing data for storage and retrieval. Data entry analysts maintain the organization of filing systems, routinely review and update data for accuracy, and research and analyze their findings.
How to get started: Try Google’s Data Analytics Professional Certificate.
5. Junior database administrator
As of June 2023, over 2,300 database administrator roles are listed on Glassdoor. Over 350 of these roles are fully remote [17]. Sixty-one percent of data entry specialists in the US have a degree in information technology or a related field [18]. Many employers cite a high school diploma, GED, and similar work experience as valuable credentials for employment.
Median salary: The salary insights below represent the median pay for data entry specialists in the US with 0-1 year of experience. Reported additional income may include profit-sharing, bonuses, and commissions [19].
| Average Salary | Median Additional Pay | Total Estimated Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| $70,474 | $4,106 | $75,580 |
Skills: Problem-solving skills, communication skills, organization, logic, technical proficiency, understanding of cybersecurity principles and data modeling
Responsibilities: Junior database administrators are responsible for designing, creating, testing, and maintaining databases. They monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure all company policies and standards are followed.
How to get started: Try Meta’s Database Engineer Professional Certificate.
How to ensure you qualify for tech entry-level jobs
Tech entry-level jobs generally require the least amount of experience or training to perform. Regardless, you can take steps to make sure your resume effectively shows your qualifications and capabilities. For example, it can be beneficial to browse job postings before you’re ready to apply. You can use this practice to discover in-demand skills and specific certifications that employers ask for by name. Read on for more tips on preparing yourself for an entry-level tech job search.
Enhance your resume.
Enhancing your resume is one of the most critical steps when applying for an entry-level role. Keep in mind that employers often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to process candidates quickly. These systems use filters to identify specific keywords. Your resume is more likely to be seen if your chosen language matches the keywords employers use to describe particular skills. You can read nine more ways to enhance your resume with the article below.
Read more: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume
Stay current with industry trends.
Tech entry-level jobs exist in a variety of industries. Once you have chosen a specialization to pursue, consider keeping up with industry leaders and fellow professionals in that field. You can use blogs, articles, YouTube videos, and press releases to identify in-demand skills and tools. Then, you can use your insights to demonstrate adaptability, a core skill for tech professionals.
Prepare for an entry-level tech job with Coursera
You can start preparing for a tech entry-level job today. Learn from tech industry leaders by checking out Google Career Certificates or Meta Professional Certificates.Or, take a beginner-friendly, online course in a specialized area like IBM's Information Technology and Cloud Fundamentals Specialization:
