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10. ARCHITECT: Amassing a total overall score of 71.33, the entrée into the field of architecture was ranked 16th for immediate opportunity and 8th for growth opportunity—but beware; it came in in 60th place for job hazards. While it's by no means among the most dangerous of jobs, those with a strong concern for safety might just want to watch their step. (Photo: Shutterstock)
As graduation season nears, those who've borne up under the weight of student debt and other obligations to complete a course of study will find their thoughts turning to jobs—preferably, jobs that aren't just paying placeholders but that open the doors to actual careers, with the opportunity for advancement and high pay. In particular, grads will probably be looking for something that pays better than multiple entries in the gig economy, where gigs are uncertain and can come in at the lowest end of the pay scale, without benefits or any hint of security. Related: 10 worst entry-level jobs But how to find the best opportunities? Fortunately, there's help available. WalletHub  took a look at 109 entry-level jobs in a range of fields to see which might provide the best opportunity for a high starting salary and high growth for compensation and responsibility in a job market that's hot, hot, hot. Using 13 key metrics divided into three basic dimensions—immediate opportunity, growth potential and job hazards—WalletHub evaluated these entry-level positions on a range of factors, grading each metric on a 100-point scale. A score of 100 represents the most favorable conditions for entry-level workers. The metrics include such factors as these:
  • median starting salary
  • number of job openings
  • occupation viability (which evaluates how likely it is that a given job will end up being done by a computer instead of a human)
  • projected job growth, income growth potential
  • fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 employees in the past three years
Sound ominous? Well, it can be—after all, there have always been safety issues connected with certain jobs, and with the rise of AI it's by no means certain that any given profession will survive indefinitely as a career path for humans. A little guidance down the career path will probably not come amiss—and to that end, here are the 10 best entry-level jobs, as evaluated by WalletHub. BenefitsPRO related reading: 7 best jobs for the future Benefits and the job offer: 5 tips for HR, 5 tips for millennials  
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Marlene Satter

Marlene Y. Satter has worked in and written about the financial industry for decades.