Data shows new graduates are entering a favorable job market. But some jobs are hiring even more first-time job seekers than the rest.
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Evan Thompson is an education and careers writer with BestColleges. He was previously a journalist with bylines in the Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, and Everett Herald. His beats have included education, sports, business, outdoors, and lifestyl...
Updated on October 3, 2023
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Editor & Writer
Jennifer Cuellar is a managing editor at BestColleges and oversees content around college rankings and careers. She has previously worked with TheBestSchools, Lantern, Expedia, Travelocity, Quicken, and Mint as a writer, editor, and content strategis...
Learn more about our editorial process
By
Writer
Evan Thompson is an education and careers writer with BestColleges. He was previously a journalist with bylines in the Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, and Everett Herald. His beats have included education, sports, business, outdoors, and lifestyl...
Edited by
Editor & Writer
Jennifer Cuellar is a managing editor at BestColleges and oversees content around college rankings and careers. She has previously worked with TheBestSchools, Lantern, Expedia, Travelocity, Quicken, and Mint as a writer, editor, and content strategis...
Updated on October 3, 2023
Learn more about our editorial process
www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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- The class of 2022 is entering a strong job market with plenty of hiring.
- Data shows more employers are hiring first-time job seekers than years prior.
- A new report found 10 jobs that are hiring the most new grads.
- These jobs include sales representatives, software developers, and engineers.
Every year, a new group of college graduates enters the workforce. Starting your career right out of college often depends on whether the job market is hot — with lots of hiring — or cool.
So, how are things looking for the class of 2022? The job market is going strong, despite the possibility of a recession.
"Employers plan to hire 31.6% more new college graduates in 2022 than in 2021, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers."
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around two job openings for every unemployed person as of July 2022.
Employers plan to hire 31.6% more new college graduates in 2022 than in 2021, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
To fill open roles, more employers are considering hiring candidates with less experience — which is good for first-time job seekers.
But which jobs need new grads with a bachelor's degree the most? According to ZipRecruiter data, these are the top 10 entry-level jobs with the most openings.
1. Sales Representative
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $41,750
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 220,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in business
- Bachelor's in marketing
- Bachelor's in communication
2. Software Engineer
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $67,750
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 210,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in software engineering
- Bachelor's in computer science
- Bachelor's in information technology
3. Software Developer
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $57,650
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 180,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in computer science
- Bachelor's in software engineering
- Bachelor's in information systems
4. Engineer
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $49,110
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 180,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in mechanical engineering
- Bachelor's in civil engineering
- Bachelor's in electrical engineering
5. Business Analyst
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $39,110
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 130,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in business administration
- Bachelor's in data science
- Bachelor's in business management
6. Recruiter
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $34,020
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 120,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in human resources
- Bachelor's in psychology
7. Finance
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $42,730
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 120,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in finance
- Bachelor's in accounting
- Bachelor's in business
8. Marketing
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $38,700
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 60,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in marketing
- Bachelor's in retail and sales management
9. Accountant
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $40,780
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 60,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in accounting
- Bachelor's in finance
- Bachelor's in business
10. Account Executive
- Average Starting Wage (as of May 1, 2022): $43,240
- Number of entry-level jobs (as of May 1, 2022): 50,000
Related Degrees:
- Bachelor's in marketing
- Bachelor's in business
- Bachelor's in retail and sales management
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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