To start your career in information technology, you start with entry-level IT jobs. So you want to get into IT. Maybe you’re fresh out of school, maybe you’re switching careers, maybe you just need a job that pays better than retail. The good news: IT jobs exist, and they’re not going anywhere. The frustrating news: “entry-level” doesn’t mean what it used to mean.
Let me walk you through what’s actually out there, what it really takes to break in, and the strategies that work versus the ones that waste your time.
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The Entry-Level Paradox
Here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront: most “entry-level” IT jobs aren’t actually entry-level anymore. Job postings say “entry-level help desk” and then require 2-3 years of experience. It’s absurd, and everyone knows it’s absurd, but it’s the reality.
According to recent data, a huge chunk of positions labeled entry-level now want 1-3 years of experience. On LinkedIn, there are thousands of technical support roles posted, but many of them have requirements that make them inaccessible to true beginners. Business Insider wrote an entire article about how entry-level jobs aren’t entry-level anymore, and anyone trying to break into IT knows exactly what they’re talking about.
Why does this happen? Partly, companies are lazy with job descriptions. They copy-paste requirements without thinking. Partly, it’s HR departments that don’t understand the roles they’re hiring for. And partly, it’s just that the market is competitive enough that they can ask for experience even at the entry level.
But here’s the secret: you can still break into entry-level IT jobs. You just need to be strategic about it.
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What Entry-Level IT Jobs Actually Exist
Let me give you the real breakdown of what’s available and what each role actually involves when looking at entry-level IT jobs:
Help Desk / IT Support Specialist
These are the most common entry-level IT jobs. You’re providing first-line support to users—usually employees at a company, sometimes external customers. Someone’s computer won’t turn on. Someone can’t print. Someone forgot their password. Someone’s email isn’t working. You’re the person they call.
Your day involves answering phones or responding to tickets in a ticket system, troubleshooting basic hardware and software issues, and escalating the complicated stuff to higher-level IT staff. It’s not glamorous. You’ll reset a lot of passwords. You’ll tell a lot of people to turn it off and back on again. But it’s how thousands of people start their IT careers.
Pay typically ranges from $35,000-$50,000 annually, depending on location. Remote roles exist and often pay $18-30 per hour. It’s not going to make you rich, but it beats minimum wage and gets your foot in the door.
Desktop Support / Computer Technician
Similar to a help desk but more hands-on with hardware. You’re physically setting up computers, installing software, replacing broken equipment, running cables, and maybe doing some basic network troubleshooting.
This role usually requires you to be on-site rather than remote. You’re walking around an office building or going to different locations, fixing things. If you like working with your hands and don’t want to sit at a desk all day, this might appeal to you more than pure help desk work.
The physical nature of it can be a plus or minus depending on your preferences. You’re lifting equipment, crawling under desks, and standing a lot. But you’re also not chained to a phone, taking support calls all day.
Network Technician / Network Support
You’re helping maintain network infrastructure—routers, switches, cabling, wireless access points. At the entry level, you’re mostly assisting senior network engineers, documenting configurations, troubleshooting basic connectivity issues, and maybe running cable.
This role has better long-term career prospects than a help desk because networking skills are more specialized. But it’s also harder to break into without some foundational knowledge. You’ll probably want CompTIA Network+ or equivalent before you can land this role.
Junior Systems Administrator
You’re helping manage servers, operating systems, and IT infrastructure under supervision. This might include working with Active Directory, managing user accounts, applying patches and updates, and monitoring system performance.
This is a step above a help desk in terms of technical requirements and pay, but some companies do hire junior sysadmins without extensive experience if you can demonstrate solid foundational knowledge and a willingness to learn.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tester
If you’re interested in the software side, QA testing is an accessible entry point. You’re testing software applications for bugs, writing test cases, documenting issues, and verifying fixes.
The work can be repetitive—running the same tests over and over, checking edge cases, trying to break things deliberately. But it teaches you how software development works, and it’s a path into more technical roles like automation testing or software development.
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Junior Web Developer
If you’ve got some coding skills—HTML, CSS, JavaScript—you might land a junior developer role. You’re building basic websites, fixing bugs, implementing designs, and maybe working with content management systems.
This is harder to get without a portfolio showing you can actually code. But if you can demonstrate ability through personal projects or freelance work, some companies will take a chance on you.
Data Analyst (Entry-Level)
You’re working with data in Excel or SQL, creating reports, and doing basic analysis. Entry-level data analyst roles often don’t require extensive technical skills—just comfort with spreadsheets, basic SQL knowledge, and analytical thinking.
This can be a good path if you’re more interested in the business side of tech rather than pure IT infrastructure.
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The Skills and Certifications That Actually Matter
Let’s talk about what you need to be competitive. And I mean actually need, not the wish list from job postings that ask for five years of experience and ten certifications for a $40,000 help desk job.
Certifications That Open Doors
CompTIA A+ is the gold standard for entry-level IT support. It covers basic hardware, software, troubleshooting, and IT fundamentals. Lots of help desk and desktop support jobs list it as required or strongly preferred. The exam costs around $250 (for both parts), and you can self-study for it.
Is it worth it? Yes, if you’re serious about getting into IT. Does it guarantee you a job? No. But it gets your resume past automated filters and shows employers you have baseline knowledge.
CompTIA Network+ is the next step if you’re interested in networking roles. It covers networking concepts, protocols, and troubleshooting. Slightly more advanced than A+, and it opens doors to network technician roles.
CompTIA Security+ is valuable for security-focused roles. Even if you’re not aiming for cybersecurity specifically, having Security+ on your resume makes you more attractive for any IT position because security is everyone’s concern now.
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a cheaper alternative to CompTIA A+. It’s available through Coursera, costs less, and some employers accept it as equivalent to an A+. If money’s tight, start here.
Microsoft and Amazon cloud certifications (Azure Fundamentals, AWS Cloud Practitioner) are worth pursuing if you’re interested in cloud computing, which is where a lot of IT is heading.
The Real Skills That Matter
Certifications help, but actual ability matters more. You need to be able to:
- Troubleshoot problems logically (not just randomly trying things until something works)
- Communicate technical concepts to non-technical people without being condescending
- Learn new technologies quickly because tech changes constantly
- Handle stress and frustration because users will be stressed and frustrated with you
- Document things clearly because if you don’t write it down, nobody will know what you did
For specific roles, you’ll need specific technical skills. Help desk needs familiarity with Windows, Active Directory, and basic networking. Desktop support needs hardware knowledge. Network roles need understanding of TCP/IP, routing, and switching. Developer roles need actual coding ability in relevant languages.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to know everything before you apply. You need enough to get hired, then you learn the rest on the job. Too many people delay applying because they feel they’re not ready yet. Stop that. Apply when you’re 70% ready.
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The Brutal Truth About the Job Market Right Now
Let me be honest with you about what you’re facing in 2025.
There’s demand for IT support roles. Companies need people to keep their technology running. But competition is intense, especially for truly entry-level positions that don’t require experience.
Remote IT support jobs exist, which is great if you want to work from home. But “remote” also means you’re competing against people across the entire country, not just your local area. That increases competition significantly.
AI is starting to eat into entry-level roles. A Stanford study found that junior job listings in fields vulnerable to AI (including customer service and coding) dropped 13% over three years. Help desk and basic support roles are vulnerable to automation and AI chatbots handling simple issues.
Does this mean you shouldn’t pursue IT? No. It means you need to position yourself as someone who can handle the complex, human-interaction-requiring work that automation can’t easily replace. And you need a plan to move beyond entry-level relatively quickly.
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How to Actually Break In: Strategies That Work
Generic advice says “get certified, build a portfolio, network.” That’s all true but useless without specifics. Here’s what actually works:
Build Experience Before You Have Experience
This sounds impossible, but it’s not. You need to gain experience when nobody will hire you without it.
Set up a home lab. Buy cheap used computers or run virtual machines on your personal computer. Install Windows Server, set up Active Directory, and configure a network. Break things and fix them. This gives you hands-on experience you can talk about in interviews.
Volunteer your IT skills. Nonprofits, small businesses, churches, schools—they all need tech help and can’t always afford it. Offer to help for free or cheaply. Yes, you’re working for nothing initially, but you’re building experience and references.
Take on freelance gigs. Check Craigslist, Thumbtack, or local Facebook groups for people needing basic tech help. Fixing someone’s computer for $50 gives you real-world experience and something to put on your resume.
Game the Applicant Tracking Systems
Most companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scan resumes for keywords before a human ever sees them. If your resume doesn’t match the keywords in the job posting, it gets auto-rejected.
Here’s how you beat this: carefully read the job posting, identify the key technical terms and requirements, and make sure those exact terms appear in your resume. If they say “Active Directory,” don’t write “Microsoft AD.” If they say “troubleshooting,” use that word, not “problem-solving.”
Don’t lie about skills you don’t have. But do use their language to describe what you do know.
Apply to Everything, Including Jobs Above Your Level
Those “entry-level” jobs requiring 2-3 years of experience? Apply anyway. Sometimes it’s a poorly written job description. Also, sometimes they’re flexible. Sometimes they’ll create a more junior role for you if they like you, but you’re not qualified for what they posted.
The worst they can do is ignore you, which they were probably going to do anyway. Shoot your shot.
Use Staffing Agencies and Contract Work
This is the path nobody talks about, but it’s how a lot of people actually break in.
IT staffing agencies and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are constantly hiring entry-level people. The work can be challenging—MSPs often involve long hours and serving multiple clients—but they’ll hire people with minimal experience.
Contract roles and temp-to-hire positions are easier to get than direct-hire positions. Companies are more willing to take a chance on someone for a 3-month contract than for a permanent role. Get your foot in the door via contract work, prove yourself, and often it converts to permanent.
Robert Half, TEKsystems, Insight Global, Apex Systems—these are major IT staffing firms. Create profiles with them and let them do some of the job hunting for you.
Actually Network (But Do It Right)
“Network on LinkedIn” is generic advice that doesn’t help. Here’s what actually works:
Find people doing the job you want. Look at help desk technicians, IT support specialists, and desktop support folks at companies in your area. Send them a connection request with a brief, personalized note: “I’m working toward breaking into IT support and noticed your experience at [Company]. Would appreciate any advice you might have.”
Most people ignore these. Some respond. The ones who respond might give you useful insider information about how they got hired, or they might refer you when their company has openings. Referrals dramatically increase your chances of getting interviewed.
Go to local tech meetups or IT user groups. These still exist in most cities. Show up, be friendly, mention you’re looking to break into IT. You’ll meet people who might know of openings.
Don’t just collect connections. Engage with people’s content occasionally. Comment thoughtfully on posts. Be a human, not a job-hunting robot.
Tailor Your Resume and Prepare for Interviews
Your resume needs to highlight any tech experience, even if it’s not formal IT work. Did you troubleshoot tech issues for family and friends? That’s an informal help desk experience. Did you build a computer? That’s hardware knowledge. Did you make a website for your hobby? That’s relevant.
List your certifications prominently. Include a skills section with specific technologies you know (Windows 10/11, Active Directory, basic networking, ticketing systems, whatever you’ve learned).
For interviews, prepare for behavioral questions: “Tell me about a time you dealt with a frustrated customer,” “Describe how you troubleshoot a computer that won’t turn on,” “How do you handle multiple urgent issues at once?”
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Be specific. Show your problem-solving process. Demonstrate patience and communication skills, not just technical knowledge.
For technical questions, it’s okay to say “I don’t know, but here’s how I’d figure it out.” Showing your learning process is better than BS-ing an answer.
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What to Expect: Salary and Career Progression
Entry-level IT support roles typically pay $35,000-$50,000, depending on location and company size. Major metros pay more (but the cost of living is higher). Remote roles might pay less because they’re accessible to people anywhere.
That’s not exciting money, especially if you’re supporting yourself or a family. But it’s a starting point. Most people don’t stay in help desk forever.
Typical career progression: you start in help desk or desktop support, spend 1-2 years learning and building skills, then move up to higher-level support, junior sysadmin, network technician, or specialize in security, cloud, or whatever interests you.
Three to five years into an IT career, you can be making $60,000-$80,000+, depending on your path and location. Senior roles and specializations push into six figures.
But that progression requires actively learning and seeking opportunities. If you stay in an entry-level help desk for five years without developing new skills, your pay and opportunities stagnate.
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The Roles to Avoid or Approach Cautiously
Not all entry-level IT jobs are created equal. Some are dead ends or exploitative.
Be cautious of small MSPs that advertise “great learning opportunity” while paying $15/hour and expecting 60-hour weeks. They burn through entry-level people because the workload is unsustainable.
Be skeptical of “commission-based” IT sales roles disguised as technical positions. If the job posting emphasizes sales quotas more than technical work, that’s not an IT job—it’s a sales job that happens to involve technology.
Watch out for contract roles that promise “potential for permanent hire” but churn through contractors every few months without converting anyone. Some companies abuse contract work to avoid paying benefits.
If a job posting requires a crazy list of skills and certifications for entry-level pay, that’s a red flag. They either don’t know what they actually need, or they’re trying to underpay someone who should be hired at a higher level.
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Should You Even Pursue Entry-Level IT?
IT is still a viable career path. It pays reasonably well, especially as you advance. The work is stable (companies always need IT support). There’s room to specialize and grow. And you don’t necessarily need a four-year degree if you can demonstrate skills and get certifications.
But it’s also not a get-rich-quick path. Breaking in requires effort—certifications, building skills, applying extensively, and probably taking a job that’s less than ideal initially. The entry-level phase can be frustrating: repetitive work, dealing with stressed users, and not great pay.
If you genuinely like technology, enjoy problem-solving, and can handle customer service aspects (because entry-level IT is partly customer service), it’s worth pursuing.
If you’re only in it for the money and have no interest in technology itself, you’ll probably be miserable. Find something else.
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The Actual Steps to Take This Week
Stop consuming advice and start taking action.
This week:
- Pick one certification to pursue (CompTIA A+ or Google IT Support Certificate)
- Start studying for it—there are free resources on YouTube, Professor Messer for A+, Coursera for Google cert
- Set up a LinkedIn profile if you don’t have one, and start connecting with IT professionals in your area
- Create a basic resume highlighting any tech-related experience you have, even if informal
- Sign up with at least two IT staffing agencies
- Apply to 10 entry-level IT jobs, even if they seem slightly above your level
Next week:
- Continue studying for your cert
- Apply to 10 more jobs
- Set up a home lab or do a basic tech project, you can talk about
- Research companies in your area that have IT departments and might hire entry-level people
Keep doing this consistently. It’s a numbers game. Most applications go nowhere. But you only need one to land.
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The Real Talk Nobody Gives You
Breaking into IT is achievable but not easy. The “entry-level” label is often misleading. Competition is real. You’ll face rejection. You might need to take a less-than-ideal first job just to get experience.
But thousands of people do it every year. People from non-tech backgrounds, people without degrees, people switching careers at 30 or 40—they break in and build successful IT careers.
You can too. You just need to be strategic, persistent, and realistic about what it takes.