- 1.Software development roles offer the highest entry-level salaries at $75,000-$95,000 average starting pay
- 2.Remote entry-level positions have increased 340% since 2020, with 60% of junior roles now offering remote options
- 3.Tech unemployment remains at historic lows of 2.1%, creating abundant opportunities for new graduates
- 4.AI and cloud computing skills command 25-40% salary premiums for entry-level positions
- 5.Career changers represent 45% of new tech hires, with bootcamp graduates showing strong placement rates
13.4%
Job Growth Rate
$82K
Average Starting Salary
60%
Remote Positions
3.2 months
Time to First Offer
Tech Job Market Overview 2025: Unprecedented Opportunities
The tech job market in 2025 presents exceptional opportunities for entry-level candidates, with unemployment at historic lows of 2.1% and job growth outpacing all other sectors at 13.4% annually. Despite concerns about layoffs at major tech companies, the broader tech ecosystem continues expanding rapidly.
Key market dynamics driving entry-level demand include digital transformation acceleration, AI implementation across industries, cybersecurity needs, and cloud migration projects. Companies are actively seeking fresh talent with modern skills in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
The rise of remote work has fundamentally changed the entry-level landscape. New graduates can now access opportunities at companies nationwide, not just in traditional tech hubs. This shift has increased competition but also dramatically expanded the pool of available positions.
Career Paths
Build applications, websites, and systems using programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript
Analyze data to extract insights and build predictive models using Python, R, and machine learning
Develop and deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning systems
Protect systems and networks from security threats and analyze security incidents
Automate deployment pipelines and manage cloud infrastructure
Cloud Engineer
Design and manage cloud infrastructure on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
Web Developer
Create websites and web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks
Mobile Developer
Build iOS and Android applications using Swift, Kotlin, React Native, or Flutter
Entry-Level Requirements: What Employers Actually Want
Entry-level tech requirements have evolved significantly. While a computer science degree remains valuable, employers increasingly prioritize demonstrable skills and portfolio projects over credentials alone.
Universal Requirements Across All Entry-Level Roles:
- Portfolio of projects demonstrating technical skills
- Proficiency in version control (Git/GitHub)
- Basic understanding of software development lifecycle
- Problem-solving ability demonstrated through coding challenges
- Communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
High-Demand Technical Skills for 2025:
- Programming Languages: Python (67% of job postings), JavaScript (52%), Java (38%), TypeScript (31%)
- Cloud Platforms: AWS (45% of postings), Azure (28%), Google Cloud (19%)
- AI/ML: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, LangChain for AI applications
- DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code
- Security: Basic cybersecurity principles, secure coding practices
| Pathway | Time Investment | Cost | Employer Perception | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Year CS Degree | 4 years | $40,000-$200,000 | Highly valued, especially at large companies | Traditional learners, comprehensive foundation |
| Bootcamp | 3-9 months | $10,000-$20,000 | Growing acceptance, portfolio matters more | Career changers, fast entry |
| Self-Taught | 6 months-2 years | $500-$5,000 | Portfolio and skills demonstration crucial | Self-motivated learners, budget-conscious |
| Online Degree | 2-4 years | $20,000-$80,000 | Increasingly accepted, especially from known schools | Working professionals, flexibility needed |
Remote vs On-Site Entry-Level Opportunities
The remote work revolution has dramatically changed entry-level opportunities. While 60% of entry-level positions now offer remote options, the landscape varies significantly by role and company size.
Roles with Highest Remote Availability:
- Software Development: 75% remote options
- Data Science: 68% remote options
- DevOps Engineering: 65% remote options
- Cybersecurity: 55% remote options
- Technical Writing: 85% remote options
Salary Implications of Remote Work:
Remote positions often offer competitive salaries but may adjust for cost of living. Our analysis shows remote entry-level salaries average 5-15% lower than equivalent positions in major tech hubs, but this gap is closing as companies compete for talent nationally. Learn more about remote vs on-site salary differences in our detailed analysis.
Source: Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024
Career Changers Driving Tech Talent Pipeline
Career changers represent 45% of new tech hires, bringing valuable perspectives from finance, healthcare, education, and other industries. This trend reflects both tech's accessibility and the transferability of analytical and problem-solving skills.
Most Successful Career Change Backgrounds:
- Finance/Accounting: Strong analytical skills transfer well to data science and software engineering
- Teaching/Training: Communication skills valued for technical roles and developer relations
- Sales/Marketing: Domain knowledge valuable for SaaS companies and customer-facing roles
- Military: Discipline and systematic thinking excel in cybersecurity and DevOps
- Healthcare: Regulatory and process understanding valuable for health tech companies
Career changers often leverage bootcamps or online degree programs to gain technical skills quickly. Our research shows that career changers with portfolios demonstrating real projects have placement rates comparable to traditional CS graduates. Read our complete guide on transitioning to tech from another field.
Geographic Salary Differences: Where to Maximize Your Starting Pay
Location significantly impacts entry-level tech salaries, though remote work is reducing these gaps. Traditional tech hubs still command premium salaries, but emerging markets offer attractive cost-of-living adjusted compensation.
Top Markets for Entry-Level Tech Salaries:
- San Francisco Bay Area: $95,000-$120,000 (adjusted for cost of living: ~$65,000)
- Seattle: $85,000-$105,000 (cost of living adjusted: ~$70,000)
- New York City: $80,000-$100,000 (cost of living adjusted: ~$55,000)
- Austin: $75,000-$90,000 (cost of living adjusted: ~$75,000)
- Denver: $70,000-$85,000 (cost of living adjusted: ~$72,000)
- Remote (National Average): $75,000-$90,000
Emerging Tech Hubs with Strong Opportunities:
Cities like Raleigh, Nashville, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City offer compelling opportunities for entry-level professionals, with salaries 10-20% below major hubs but significantly lower living costs. These markets often provide faster career advancement due to less competition and growing tech ecosystems.
Industry-Specific Entry-Level Opportunities
Different industries offer unique entry-level opportunities, each with distinct advantages for new tech professionals.
High-Growth Industries for Entry-Level Tech:
- FinTech: Competitive salaries, stock options, fast-paced environment. Strong demand for security and compliance skills.
- HealthTech: Mission-driven work, regulatory complexity creates learning opportunities, growing rapidly post-pandemic.
- EdTech: Focus on user experience and accessibility, often more flexible work environments.
- E-commerce: High transaction volumes provide excellent learning for scalability and performance optimization.
- Gaming: Creative projects, cutting-edge technology, strong community culture.
- Enterprise SaaS: Stable growth, professional development opportunities, exposure to business processes.
- Government/Defense: Security clearance can lead to specialized, high-paying career paths.
Company Size Considerations:
Large corporations offer structured training programs and clear career paths but may limit exposure to different technologies. Startups provide broader experience and potential equity upside but less job security. Mid-size companies (100-1000 employees) often offer the best balance of stability and growth opportunity for entry-level professionals.
Getting Your First Tech Job: Step-by-Step Action Plan
1. Build a Portfolio That Demonstrates Real Skills
Create 3-5 projects that solve real problems. Include a full-stack web application, an API, and projects relevant to your target role. Host code on GitHub with clear README files and live demos where possible.
2. Master the Technical Interview Process
Practice coding challenges on LeetCode, HackerRank, or Codewars. Study system design basics and prepare to explain your projects in detail. Use our [technical interview preparation roadmap](/skills/technical-interview-prep/) for structured practice.
3. Network Strategically in the Tech Community
Attend local meetups, contribute to open source projects, engage on tech Twitter/LinkedIn. Join communities like Dev.to, Reddit programming communities, and Discord servers for your tech stack.
4. Apply Strategically, Not Broadly
Target 15-25 companies that align with your interests and skills. Customize applications for each role, highlighting relevant projects and skills. Apply to a mix of company sizes and growth stages.
5. Leverage Your Network and Referrals
Employee referrals increase your chances of getting an interview by 6x. Reach out to alumni, meetup contacts, and online connections. Offer to buy coffee or have a virtual chat to learn about their role.
6. Negotiate Your Offer with Confidence
Research market rates using levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Blind. Consider total compensation including equity, benefits, and growth opportunities. Use our guide on [negotiating tech offers](/careers/negotiating-tech-offers/) for specific strategies.
Entry-Level Tech Jobs FAQ
Career Guides and Salary Information
Degree Programs and Skills Development
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.