Have you ever thought of getting a real IT-based job, then dropped the idea because of misconceptions? It seems like it’s harder to land your first job in IT than it ought to be. Anyone who’s posted a listing would like to see “1-2 years experience” on a job that is supposed to be entry level.
The good news is IT is still one of the industries that’s not that difficult to break into without a degree! Many beginners successfully move into IT jobs with no experience by building practical skills, earning certifications, and showing employers what they can do. Employers are interested in your problem-solving capabilities and your credentials rather than your work history.
Top 10 IT-related Jobs for Beginners in the UK
These entry-level tech jobs are realistic starting points for beginners who want to build an IT career without years of previous experience.
1. IT Support Technician
Old-fashioned ‘foot in the door’ role. You are troubleshooting simple networking problems, resetting passwords, setting up new starter gear, and fixing laptops. Most companies train you on their systems and do so primarily to make sure that you know basic things and can keep your cool with the non-technical folks who have a problem. If you are looking for IT support jobs for beginners, a short IT Support course that covers the basics of CompTIA A+ can provide a strong foundation.
Average salary: The average salary range is from £22k to £26k for the initial position, and increases to £22k to £35k for Experience.
2. Helpdesk Analyst
Like IT Support but primarily telephone and ticket oriented. The first person a user contacts when something fails. Initially repetitive but the quickest method to learn dozens of systems at a time.
Average salary: around £21k to start, typical range £17k-£27k.
3. Desktop Support Engineer
Climbing a step up from the Helpdesk. You’re not going to log a ticket, you are going to a desk (or remoting in) and solve the problem, reinstall software, change hardware, setup peripherals.
Average salary: £24,000 to £30,000.
4. Service Desk Technician
It’s a very structured Basic Helpdesk. Larger organizations (banks, hospitals, universities) have formal Service Desks with shift schedules and very specific response times as targets. Suitable for those who prefer order to chaos.
Average salary: £25,000 to £28,000 per year
5. Junior Network Engineer
Typically requires a little more setup before you can begin. You’ll support, maintain routers, switches and Wi-Fi under a senior engineer. This is where a good Network & Firewall course will be useful, Cisco-based with practical routing, switching and firewall configuration, no theory.
Average salary: £25k-£32k.
6. IT Apprentice
Not a “job” in the traditional sense, but the easiest way in if you have zero experience and no certifications yet. You study part-time while working, earning roughly £18k-£22k, and come out with a real qualification plus 12-18 months of work history.
Average salary: £18,000 to £26,000 per year
7. IT Graduate Scheme / Junior Support Analyst
If you’ve got a degree (in anything, not just computing), some employers run graduate schemes rotating you through support, networking, and systems admin in your first year. Competitive, but a strong long-term move.
Average salary: £24,000 to £30,000 annually
8. Junior Systems Administrator
You will also be slightly more technical than a support person, assisting with the maintenance of servers, user accounts, and the internal systems of a company as opposed to repairing individual laptops. Typically wants a little bit of hands-on experience before it’s promoted, but it’s not a senior position in disguise.
Average salary: £24k-£30k.
9. Junior Cloud Support Technician
With more of these employers moving their infrastructure onto Azure and AWS, there are more opportunities for junior roles supporting cloud environments than physical servers. It’s not essential to be an expert, but knowing your way around a cloud console is a plus. It’s better to learn a little bit before it gets required, instead of as a treat, as it’s a beginner-level Cloud Training course.
Average salary: £24k-£29k.
10. Junior Cyber Security Analyst
Harder to land with zero experience, but worth knowing about; some companies now hire junior analysts straight out of a support role or apprenticeship if you’ve picked up a beginner security certification alongside your day job. A Cyber Security course built around real exam objectives is usually the quickest way to get that certification without wasting months on scattered YouTube tutorials.
Average salary: £28k-£35k.
Quick Comparison Table: Entry-Level IT Jobs and IT Technician Salary Guide
| Role | Starting Salary | Experience Needed | Certification Helps? |
| IT Support Technician | £22k-£26k | None | CompTIA A+ |
| Helpdesk Analyst | £17k-£27k | None | CompTIA A+ |
| Desktop Support Engineer | £24k-£30k | Basic support exposure | Yes |
| Service Desk Technician | £22k-£28k | None | Helpful |
| Junior Network Engineer | £25k-£32k | Basic networking knowledge | CCNA strongly preferred |
| IT Apprentice | £18k-£22k | None | Gained on the job |
| IT Graduate Scheme | £24k-£28k | Degree | Not usually required |
| Junior Systems Administrator | £24k-£30k | Some hands-on projects | Helpful |
| Junior Cloud Support Technician | £24k-£29k | None | Azure/AWS fundamentals |
| Junior Cyber Security Analyst | £28k-£35k | Support background | Security+ / similar |
Where do you wanna start?
Regardless of the direction you take, a key factor is having some formal education before you show up for an interview. Impact IT Training offers Programming courses for those interested in the IT development path, along with courses such as server administration for those exploring different specialisms. No prior knowledge is assumed, only a desire to learn. Choose a role, earn a certification, and start applying. The first position is the hardest to get, but from there, progression becomes easier.
FAQs
What is the easiest job in IT that doesn't require experience?
Helpdesk Analyst and IT Apprenticeships are the easiest entry points. Both are designed around zero prior experience; employers expect to train you from scratch. You are a realistic candidate if you are willing to learn, have basic computer literacy, and have a good, calm telephone manner.
What Is the Highest Paying Job in the UK for IT?
IT Director, at £95k-£160k, rising to £180k-£200k+ in London. Below that, cloud architects and security leads also regularly clear six figures.
What is the salary of a Network Engineer in the UK?
Median is £60,000 regardless of experience level. For juniors, they will begin at £24k-£25k and have the potential to progress rapidly with Cisco certifications and experience.
Is Cyber Security a High Paying Career?
Yes. Entry-level analysts start around £30k-£40k, with the median sitting near £52,000 and senior specialists earning £90k+.
What Certifications Lead to the Highest Paying IT Jobs?
CompTIA A+ (support), CCNA (networking) and Security+ (cybersecurity) will get you started. Later on, salaries go into the six-figure range with such qualifications as CCNP, cloud architect certifications, and CISSP.
What Is the Difference Between IT Support and Helpdesk Jobs?
Helpdesk is the first point of contact, logging issues, doing basic fixes, and passing on anything complex. IT Support (sometimes "2nd line") resolves the more technical problems, often physically working on machines or remoting in. Think reception vs. the people who actually fix the machine.
