Whether you’re a recent graduate or a tech enthusiast ready to turn pro, this is a promising time to pursue a technology career. Companies across industries rely on IT teams to power daily operations—from securing networks and supporting users to managing data and business systems. At the same time, many organizations are investing heavily in long-term digital transformation, expanding cloud environments and adopting AI-powered tools.These day-to-day needs and strategic priorities are driving persistent demand for tech and IT talent, including for entry-level positions. Many starter roles can serve as launchpads for long, successful careers in the field. And because of the shortage of skilled talent in tech, many employers are willing to hire and develop early-career professionals who show potential, even if they lack experience.Based on research from the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half, here are eight entry-level IT roles expected to be in demand in the year ahead—along with insight into what they involve, how to position yourself for them and the skills that can help you stand out to hiring managers.
What Are 8 of the Best Entry-Level IT Jobs for 2026?
If you want to build hands-on technical experience fast, a help desk Tier 1 role is one of the most accessible entry points into IT. You’ll be the first line of support for employees or customers, handling basic hardware, software and network issues. You’ll also gain experience diagnosing and resolving problems and escalating more complex issues to colleagues at the Tier 2 level. Clear documentation and logging of support tickets are part of the daily workflow for this entry-level help desk role.Positioning for this role:Help desk Tier 1 jobs are usually open to those with little or no prior tech experience. Many employers will consider candidates with customer service backgrounds, general technical interest, or coursework in IT or related fields (e.g., via a technical school or community college). Entry-level certifications like CompTIA A+ or the Google IT Support Professional Certificate can boost your resume. Must-haves: Strong communication and interpersonal skillsPatience, empathy and a customer-first mindsetBasic familiarity with computers, operating systems and connectivity conceptsSkills that can provide an edge:Experience with ticketing platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, Zendesk)Understanding of ITIL core concepts or help desk best practicesAbility to use AI search tools to speed up troubleshootingSound escalation judgment and issue documentation skillsGet more details on responsibilities and compensation for the help desk Tier 1 role.
2. Product support specialist
If you enjoy working directly with customers or end users but still want to build a technical career, product support is a great place to start. As a product support specialist, you’ll help users get more value from a specific software product or platform, troubleshoot issues, diagnose bugs and escalate technical problems to engineering teams when needed. You’ll also collaborate across departments—often partnering with product, quality assurance (QA) and development teams—which makes this job a strong foundation for future roles in product, engineering or customer success.Positioning for this role:Emphasize any experience where you’ve explained technology to others or helped people solve tech-related issues—whether it was in a customer support job, retail tech role, or by training colleagues at work. Companies value product-minded thinkers who ask good questions, take ownership of customer issues and communicate clearly.Must-haves:Customer focus and problem-solving mindsetStrong communication skillsAbility to explain technical topics simply and clearlySkills that can provide an edge:Basic SQL for troubleshooting data issuesExposure to APIs or reading simple log files like JSONExperience using ticketing tools (e.g., Zendesk, Jira, ServiceNow)Ability to write effective support documentation or knowledge base articlesGet more details on responsibilities and compensation for the product support specialist role.
3. Software engineer
Entry-level software engineers work on development teams to build, test and maintain software applications. You might debug code, write new features, fix bugs from the backlog or collaborate on code reviews with more senior developers. This role builds strong fundamentals in programming, version control and software development practices—skills that can lead to future paths like backend engineering, full-stack development, cloud engineering or DevOps.Positioning for this role:Employers don’t always require prior professional experience for entry-level software engineer roles, but they do want proof that you can code. Create a small GitHub portfolio with two or three real projects—such as a full-stack app, API or data analysis script—that you can share with hiring managers. Coding bootcamps, computer science coursework and open-source contributions are also excellent ways to demonstrate coding ability.Must-haves:Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript, C#)Understanding of core programming concepts (data structures, debugging and testing)Willingness to learn and collaborate in a team environmentSkills that can provide an edge:Familiarity with Git and version control workflowsExperience building REST APIs or microservicesKnowledge of modern frameworks or libraries like React, Angular, .NET or Node.jsExposure to Agile development and CI/CD pipelinesGet more details on responsibilities and compensation for the software engineer role.
4. Web developer
Web developers build the digital experiences people interact with every day—websites, web applications, landing pages, portals and interactive dashboards. In an entry-level role, you might translate design mockups into responsive layouts, build front-end components, connect APIs, fix layout or browser issues, and help ensure accessibility and performance standards are met. This entry-level job is ideal for creative problem solvers who enjoy bringing ideas to life through clean, functional code.Positioning for this role:A polished portfolio often carries more weight than a resume in web development. Even two or three small but well-crafted projects—like a personal website, interactive form or simple web app—can show employers what you can do. Include code samples on GitHub and a short README explaining your approach. Front-end training programs and freelance projects are also common paths into this role.Must-haves:Solid understanding of HTML, CSS and JavaScriptAbility to turn UI/UX mockups into functional webpagesBasic debugging skills and familiarity with web standardsSkills that can provide an edge:Experience with modern frameworks like React, Vue or AngularGit/GitHub version control and basic command line usageFamiliarity with REST APIs or JSON dataExposure to design tools like Figma or Adobe XDUnderstanding of responsive design and accessibility (WCAG basics)Get more details on responsibilities and compensation for the web developer role.
5. QA analyst
Quality assurance (QA) analysts help ensure software works correctly before it reaches users. In this role, you’ll write and execute test cases, report and reproduce bugs, verify fixes and collaborate with developers to improve product quality. QA analysts play a critical role in preventing defects before launch, making this job appealing to analytical, curious and detail-oriented professionals.Positioning for this role:QA can be a strong entry point into tech for career changers. Employers often value transferable skills like attention to detail, structured thinking and strong communication—even if you don’t have prior IT experience. Taking a course in software testing fundamentals or learning how to write basic test cases can help you get started. Familiarity with Agile development is also a plus.Must-haves:Strong documentation and communication skillsMethodical approach to testing and troubleshootingAbility to follow test plans and report issues clearlySkills that can provide an edge:Exposure to test automation tools like Selenium, Cypress or PlaywrightFamiliarity with bug-tracking tools like Jira or Azure DevOpsBasic SQL for validating data during testingUnderstanding of Agile or Scrum workflowsGet more details on responsibilities and compensation for the QA analyst role.
6. Database administrator
Database administrators (DBAs) help organizations manage, secure and make sense of their data. In an entry-level role, you may assist with creating and managing user permissions, monitoring database performance, running backups and recovery processes, and writing basic queries. Professionals who enjoy structured problem solving and working behind the scenes to keep systems running smoothly are typically well suited for DBA jobs.Positioning for this role:Many DBAs begin by learning SQL and working on small database projects—either through coursework, online labs or personal projects. Certifications from providers like Microsoft or Oracle can strengthen your resume, but hands-on experience is just as important. Some professionals enter this role after working in IT support, data analysis or systems administration.Must-haves:Strong SQL fundamentalsAttention to detail and data accuracyUnderstanding of database concepts (tables, schemas and indexing)Skills that can provide an edge:Experience with relational database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL ServerBasic scripting (Python or PowerShell) for automationFamiliarity with backup/recovery tools and database maintenance tasksUnderstanding of database security and access controlGet more details on responsibilities and compensation for the database administrator role.
7. Data analyst
Data analysts collect, organize and interpret data to help teams make informed decisions. In this role, you might clean messy datasets, write queries, build reports, track business metrics and present findings that influence business strategy. The data analyst job is one of the strongest entry points into a data career, especially for professionals who enjoy uncovering patterns and telling stories with numbers.Positioning for this role:You don’t need a long resume to land a data analyst job, but you do need compelling examples of your work. Use publicly available datasets (e.g., Kaggle, data.gov, Google Dataset Search) to build simple projects that follow a clear structure: problem → analysis → insight → recommendation. Sharing your work on GitHub or LinkedIn can also help recruiters discover you.Must-haves:SQL fundamentals and the ability to query relational databasesStrong analytical and critical-thinking skillsExperience with spreadsheets (Excel or Google Sheets) and BI tools like Power BISkills that can provide an edge:Basic Python or R for data cleaning and analysisData visualization skills using Tableau or Looker StudioFamiliarity with basic ETL (extract, transform, load) concepts and data pipelinesAbility to communicate insights clearly to nontechnical audiencesGet more details on responsibilities and compensation for the data analyst role.
8. NOC Technician
Network operations center (NOC) technicians monitor critical network systems and respond to alerts in real time. When performance issues, outages or security events occur, you’re one of the first to investigate and escalate. This NOC technician job is fast-paced and collaborative, giving you hands-on exposure to how network infrastructure operates in production environments.Positioning for this role:Entry-level NOC roles often accept candidates with a foundation in networking—either through coursework, certifications or lab practice. Earning or working toward the CompTIA Network+ or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation can make you a strong candidate. Experience in IT support or help desk roles can also be valuable.Must-haves:Understanding of IP networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS and routing)Familiarity with network monitoring tools and alert systemsAbility to stay calm and think clearly under pressureSkills that can provide an edge:Experience with command-line tools (e.g., Linux, Cisco CLI)Basic scripting (Python or PowerShell) for troubleshooting or automationFamiliarity with network hardware (switches, routers and firewalls)Understanding of incident response and escalation proceduresGet more details on responsibilities and compensation for the NOC technician role.
How to stand out in the entry-level job market for tech and IT
The tech field is competitive, but finding a path to entry is well within your reach, especially if you approach your job search strategically. Here are a few quick tips for success:Build a portfolio, not just a resume. Even simple GitHub projects or hands-on labs demonstrate your ability to solve real problems. Earn proof of skill. In-demand certifications can help validate your technical foundation. Use AI to work smarter. You don’t need to build AI systems, but you should be able to use AI tools and copilots to troubleshoot faster, write cleaner code or speed up analysis. Leverage your network. Many entry-level hires happen through referrals. Join tech communities, contribute online and connect with people in roles you aspire to. Work with a recruiter. Specialized recruiters, like those with Robert Half, have access to positions you might never find on your own. They can help you connect with roles, including contract and full-time opportunities, that align with your career goals, skills and experience.
Start your search for entry-level tech and IT jobs now
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