Entry-level jobs usually mean an entry-level salary. In other words, you need to put in a few years of grind before the sight of your paycheck puts a big smile on your face.
But that’s not the case for everyone. As this latest study from CashNetUSA shows, some starting salaries at major US companies are much higher than others.
Using data collected from Indeed and local area wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it ranks the top US companies with the most new starters earning above-average salaries.
Let’s take a closer look.
Major companies with the highest new starter salaries
Life is good for the new starters at Tenet Health. That’s because this healthcare provider is the best-paying employer for new starters. According to the CashNetUSA research, almost 90% of new staff at Tenet Health are earning above the median salary
The best company for new starter pay in every US state
This next part of the study broke down the data state-by-state. And the standout companies here are Koppers Railroad Structures in Montana and Chewy.com, a pet supplier operating out of Tennessee. These are major US companies where every single new starter is earning an above-average salary.
The highest paying new starter pay in each US city
Atrium Health, which is based in Charlotte, can’t say that all its new starters are earning large salaries compared to the average take-home pay. However, they can say that almost all of their new starters are big earners. The CashNetUSA research shows that 99% of new employees at Atrium are offered salaries higher than the local median.
Entry-level salaries in the US restaurant chain industry
Here’s where the numbers start to drop, and it’s not surprising that it happens in the restaurant chain industry. This is a sector notorious for its long hours and low pay.
The highest-paying restaurant chain company for new starters is Arby’s. Even then, under half (46%) of new starters can expect to earn above the median average pay.
Every state’s highest-paying restaurant chain for new starters
Spare a feeling for the new starters busting their butts at Jimmy John’s in North Dakota. The state’s highest-paying restaurant chain is still only paying 7% of new starters more than the local median salary.
Best-paying US retail companies for new starters
Retail is another industry where new starters are often squeezed out of decent salaries.
However, many US retail companies are willing to pay bigger bucks to new starters. These include retail giant Target and communication providers AT&T and Verizon. In each case, between around 8 out of 10 new starters take home more than the average salary.
New starter retail salaries in every US state
This final section breaks down retail starter wages in US states. And it’s where we find the lowest of all the low-paying retail companies for new starters. It’s Dollar General in North Dakota.
The retail chain is famous for its discount prices, but it looks like that discount approach also applies to its new starter salaries. Only 5% of the company’s most recent employees earn good money, if we classify as above average.
