Entry-Level AI Jobs: Launching Your Career in Artificial Intelligence

You’ll find artificial intelligence (AI) in a variety of workplaces. It may be time if you’ve not yet explored this exciting new technology. AI may be less complicated than you think, with qualifications for some jobs well within reach. Although the competition may be steep, it’s a field worth exploring. Additionally, even entry-level AI jobs offer decent salaries and can give you a chance to work with technology that promises to shape the future.

Explore various entry-level jobs you might pursue as you build your AI career.

What are entry-level AI jobs?

Entry-level AI jobs require less experience than more advanced AI positions. Getting in on the entry level is a good way to work up to senior-level positions in related fields. Entry-level AI professionals work in a variety of industries and sectors, such as: 

• Agriculture

• Finance

• Government

• Health care

• Information technology

The exact nature of the entry-level AI job you take depends on whether you want to focus on developing algorithms, improving machine learning and language processing, or implementing AI in a practical way, such as by programming complex sensors in highly advanced robots. 

Types of entry-level AI jobs

Your options are diverse, from working on AI projects in an academic setting to creating AI software. Check out a few possible entry-level AI jobs, their salaries and job outlooks, and the requirements needed to land them.

AI research assistant

Average annual US salary: $57,000 [1]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 26 percent [2]

Requirements: Master’s in computer science, although government positions may be satisfied with just a bachelor’s. 

AI research assistants often work in a university environment. They assist in AI-related projects under the supervision of a seasoned AI engineer or professor. In this position, you’ll help collect and analyze data to develop and perfect machine learning algorithms that yield better AI outputs. 

Machine learning intern

Average annual US salary: $79,000 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 36 percent [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in data science or related field. You can intern while still getting your degree. Coursework in statistics and computer science is helpful, as is a coding certification. 

Machine learning interns work under a professional engineer’s supervision to develop the code that allows AI to operate in the first place. As a machine learning intern, you may not write code from scratch; you may test or debug it at your supervisor’s direction. 

Data analyst

Average annual US salary (BLS.gov): $88,000 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 36 percent [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or information systems, as well as knowledge of SQL, Python, and R. 

Data analysts collect, clean, analyze, and report data in various fields. In this job, you will primarily identify trends and patterns in data. You will also share insights with stakeholders via reports and visualization, helping stakeholders and managers make more informed data-driven decisions. 

Junior data scientist

Average annual US salary: $99,000 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 36 percent [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or related field; in some cases, master’s or doctorate. 

Junior data scientists help research and analyze the data that goes into machine learning programs. As a junior data scientist, your goal will be to learn how to discover patterns in unstructured data and use them to create solutions based on that data.

AI software developer

Average annual US salary: $113,500 [8]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [9]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or related field.

AI software developers often create new AI software using computer languages like R, Java, and Python. However, you may also work on existing code networks rather than writing code from scratch. This role often requires you to examine data produced by AI models and workshop AI training modalities to improve chatbot output.

Natural language processing (NLP) intern

Average annual US salary: $79,000 [10]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 26 percent [2]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or certificate in engineering, data science, or computer science; master’s or doctorate in some cases. 

Natural language processing (NLP) interns work with NLP engineers to teach AI how to better comprehend human language, both input and output, to help it deliver more authentically human-like answers. NLP is the primary machine learning modality behind generative AI, one of the most popular current uses of AI technology.

Computer vision intern

Average annual US salary: $94,000 [11]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 26 percent [2]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology; coding skills and knowledge of deep learning libraries. 

Computer vision interns assist computer vision engineers in improving the visual side of generative AI. By programming NLP into an AI model, computer vision technology lets computers understand visual (rather than textual) input and output image-based responses to queries in a way that makes sense.

AI product support specialist

Average annual US salary: $64,000 [12]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 6 percent [13]

Requirements: High school diploma (sometimes associate degree) plus relevant IT certification.

AI product support specialists assist users in troubleshooting AI-related products. In this entry-level AI job, you may advise potential customers on the value propositions of specific items, helping users decide between options. To perform well, AI product support specialists may want to have IT, cybersecurity awareness, and customer service skills. 

Skills and qualifications for entry-level AI jobs

Although these jobs help you gain employment to develop more advanced skills, you will typically need to begin with a solid skill set encompassing familiarity with AI-related programming languages and machine learning concepts. Some of the qualifications you will likely need include: 

Programming skills 

AI professionals generally know at least one coding language fairly well. Common coding languages include: 

• Java

• C++

• MATLAB

• R

• Python

Understanding of machine learning algorithms

Algorithms are at the heart of machine learning. Without them, AI models can’t detect patterns or make predictions based on training data. In other words, you need to understand machine learning algorithms in a reasonably sophisticated way to be able to teach an AI model in the first place. 

Familiarity with data processing and analysis tools

A variety of data processing and analysis tools exist. AI professionals use these to collect, store, analyze, and visualize qualitative and quantitative data. Common such tools include Power BI, Tableau, Erwin, and RapidMiner. 

Basic knowledge of statistics and mathematics

Because many AI algorithms work on probability-based models, a background in statistics is helpful. Advanced mathematical and statistical training teaches you essential AI-related concepts related to probability and prediction. 

Workplace skills

Working in AI requires more than advanced technical ability. Developing workplace skills such as active listening, effective communication, cooperation, and critical thinking is also important. These skills help you connect with others and fit into the company culture. 

Preparing for entry-level AI jobs with Coursera

All entry-level AI jobs exist across various industries, making it easier to find an option that meets your goals and interests. You will need a stellar skill set to boost your resume, which you can continue building on Coursera. For example, the AI for Business Specialization from the University of Pennsylvania can help you develop a solid knowledge base in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning in a business environment. Or you could learn more about creating AI-powered apps and programs with the IBM AI Developer Professional Certificate, which can help you go from beginner to job-ready.