15 High-Paying AI Jobs For Beginners: The Best Of 2024

Wondering how someone with no experience can switch to the promising and exciting artificial intelligence field? With determination and focus, even complete beginners can access a range of AI jobs for beginners.

No matter your education stream, developing some fundamental in-demand AI skills opens doors to entry-level opportunities. Plentiful training programs allow rapid upskilling. Hands-on roles enable picking up domain knowledge on the job.

The accelerating demand for AI talent across industries means new vacancies every day. By putting in consistent effort, anyone can establish a career in this dynamic space. This article explores practical tips to transition, even if you are starting from scratch.

Can A Complete Beginner Enter The Artificial Intelligence Industry?

Even as a complete beginner, you can find high-paying artificial intelligence jobs to enter the exciting AI field. Many employers value the ability to learn over experience for AI roles.

With self-motivation and some fundamental technical skills, we can gain qualifying experience through AI training programs, online courses, internships, and junior or associate-level positions.

Hands-on work allows us to develop valued AI and data science skills on the job. The future demand for AI talent means promising opportunities for beginners.

How To Start An AI Career With No Experience?

Beginning an AI career is very possible even without direct experience. With self-determination and foundational technical abilities, AI jobs for beginners, like AI trainers, programmers, data analysts, etc., offer entry points.

Upskilling through online programs, certifications, and internships allows you to gain domain knowledge and skills. Building a portfolio of AI projects demonstrates capabilities. Entry-level work enables developing abilities on the job.

Possibilities like making money with AI chatbots also help get experience. Continuous learning while applying for junior roles persists in openings to enter this thriving industry.

What Is The Starting Salary Of A Beginner In AI Field?

Beginners in the AI field can expect starting yearly salaries ranging from $60,000 to $90,000 in full-time roles such as data analysts, AI specialists, and software developers.

With a shortage of talent in most in-demand AI jobs, companies are eager to hire entry-level candidates with the right potential and upskill them. Hard skills like Python, SQL, data analysis, and system design, and soft skills like communication give beginners an edge.

Part-time and freelance work for AI newcomers typically earns $25 to $60 per hour based on ability and speed. With diligence, rapid salary growth from these starting levels is achievable as experience develops.

15 Best AI Jobs For Beginners: Artificial Intelligence Jobs Without Any Experience

If you search online, you’ll find hundreds of AI jobs for beginners listed on almost every job portal these days. However, not every job pays the same. You also need different skill sets to apply for different jobs. Here are our top 15 selections of 2024.

1. AI Trainer

The role of an AI trainer is becoming increasingly important as more companies adopt AI technology. It is not just a beginner-friendly AI job but also among the highest-paying AI jobs for non-tech skills.

2. Job Description: AI trainers are responsible for preparing data, labeling it, and training AI models to ensure they provide accurate outputs. They monitor the training process and performance of models.

Expected Salary Range: Full-time AI trainers can expect annual salaries between $60,000 to $120,000. Part-time work pays $30 to $60 per hour. Freelancers charge $40 to $70 per hour.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, machine learning, or a related field is generally required.

Required Skills: AI trainers need strong data analysis abilities, Python or R coding skills, and knowledge of machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow. Communication and project management skills are also important.

How To Start: With some self-study, beginners can start applying for junior AI trainer roles. Useful training resources include:

2. Junior Machine Learning Engineer

Junior machine learning engineers work on developing and deploying ML models under supervision.

Job Description: They gather data, process it, train models, improve accuracy, and integrate models into applications and systems. Testing models and analyzing performance are also key duties.

Expected Salary Range: Annual full-time salaries for entry-level roles are $80,000 to $120,000. Hourly income as a freelancer is around $50 to $80.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, software engineering, or a related quantitative field. Relevant internship experience is valued.

Required Skills: Python and SQL coding, Unix environments, ML frameworks like TensorFlow, computer science fundamentals, data analysis methods, math, and statistics knowledge. Communication and teamwork abilities are necessary.

How To Start: There are hundreds of free videos available on YouTube. Taking the following introductory courses can help begin a junior machine learning career:

3. Junior Programmer

Junior programmers work on developing software applications and programs under supervision. It is also among the best artificial intelligence jobs for beginners this year.

Job Description: They write, debug, and test code to build apps and systems. Other duties are documenting code, refactoring programs, and assisting with deployments.

Expected Salary Range: Full-time salaries range from $65,000 to $90,000 annually. Freelance junior developers make $30-$50 per hour based on skills and experience.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is commonly required. Relevant internships are valued.

Required Skills: Junior programmers need to know languages like Java, JavaScript, C++, or Python. Familiarity with SQL, IDEs, OOP concepts, UI designs, and frameworks helps. Attention to detail, teamwork, and communication matters.

How To Start: You can start with free resources available on the Internet. Some ways to gain initial skills include:

4. Junior Software Engineer

Junior software engineers build, maintain, and improve software systems under supervision. They are also the first line of the workforce in any software firm.

Job Description: They write, test, and debug code in languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, etc. Integrating software components, refactoring programs, assisting deployments, and documenting work are also key duties.

Expected Salary Range: The average salary for full-time junior software engineers is $65,000 to $90,000 per year. Freelancers charge around $30 to $50 per hour based on skills.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, or a related field is generally needed. Relevant internships are valued.

Required Skills: Junior software engineers need to know programming languages, frameworks, databases, IDEs, and systems. Problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and attention to detail matter.

How To Start: GitHub is a great way to start, as you can directly get in touch with other developers in your field. Good ways to start also include:

5. Junior Software Developer

Junior software developers build, test, and maintain software applications and programs under supervision. They mainly work in a team under a senior developer.

Job Description: They write, debug, test, and document code in languages like Java, JavaScript, C++, Python, etc. Integrating software components, assisting deployments, and refactoring programs also comprise their work.

Expected Salary Range: Annual salaries typically range from $65,000 to $85,000 for full-time roles. Freelance junior developers charge around $30 to $50 per hour.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, or related fields is commonly needed. Relevant internships provide an advantage.

Required Skills: Junior developers need to know programming languages, frameworks, systems, databases, and tools. Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and communication skills matter.

How To Start: There are several videos available on YouTube that can give you a head start. Useful beginner resources include:

6. Junior Business Intelligence Developer

Junior BI developers help build data analytics tools and reports that drive business decisions. It is also one of the trending AI jobs for beginners.

Job Description: They collect, clean, and validate data for analysis. Some code SQL and Python scripts to process data and visualize insights using BI tools like Tableau, Power BI, etc.

Expected Salary Range: Annual salaries for full-time roles range from $60,000 to $90,000. Hourly freelancing rates are $30 to $50.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in information systems, computer science, or a quantitative field is required. Relevant internships are valued.

Required Skills: SQL querying, Excel, data analysis and visualization, basic coding, and stats knowledge matter. Communication, creative problem-solving, and teamwork abilities also help.

How To Start: There are several blogs on BI you can find on LinkedIn. Some useful beginner courses that you can also take include:

7. Junior Data Analyst

Junior data analysts help gather, process, and analyze data to drive business decisions. If you are looking for low-stress jobs in the AI field, it can be a nice choice for you.

Job Description: Junior data analysts collect data from various sources and clean and validate it for analysis. Some use SQL, Python, R, etc., to process data and uncover insights. They also assist senior analysts and leaders with reports.

Expected Salary Range: The average junior data analyst’s salary ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 per year full-time. You can make between $30 to $50 per hour on average as a freelancer.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, information systems, or a related quantitative field. Relevant internships provide a boost.

Required Skills: SQL querying, Excel, data visualization, basic coding, and stats knowledge matter. Communication abilities, curiosity, and attention to detail.

How To Start: You can find some useful resources on Free Code Academy. Some other useful beginner data analyst courses are as follows:

8. Junior AI Program Analyst

Junior AI program analysts support the development and implementation of AI systems. Without any doubt, it is among the best artificial intelligence jobs for beginners in 2024.

Job Description: They assist in collecting, cleaning, and labeling data for model training. Some help integrate finished models into business applications and monitor their performance. Preparing testing data and basic coding may also be required.

Expected Salary Range: Annual salaries for full-time roles span $65,000 – $90,000. Hourly freelancing rates range between $35-and $55 based on skills.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, analytics, information systems, or related quantitative fields is required. Relevant internships are highly valued.

Required Skills: Basic coding in Python or R, data analysis, machine learning foundations, SQL, communications, and critical thinking abilities.

How To Start: There are free resources available on GitHub. You can also take part in some useful resources, such as:

9. Junior Cyber Security Specialist

Junior cybersecurity specialists help protect systems and networks from security risks and data breaches. Cybersecurity is also among the high-income skills that you must learn this year.

Job Description: They assist in testing security solutions, identifying vulnerabilities, and addressing threats. Data encryption, access control management, security monitoring, and basic penetration testing may also be required.

Expected Salary Range: Annual full-time junior salaries span $65,000 to $90,000 typically. Hourly freelancing rates range from $30 to $50 if you have decent skills.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or IT is generally required. Relevant certifications and internships provide a significant edge.

Required Skills: Knowledge of security principles, networking, operating systems, and some coding is expected. Learning ability, attention to detail, and problem-solving matter.

How To Start: You can watch useful cybersecurity videos on YouTube. Some basic learning resources also include:

10. AI Data Labeling Technician

AI data labeling technicians prepare and annotate data to train machine learning models. It is not just one of the best AI jobs for beginners, but it is also among the highest-paying jobs without any experience.

Job Description: They label images, text, videos, and other data with relevant classifications to enable algorithms to learn. Accurate data labeling, as per guidelines, is the core responsibility.

Expected Salary Range: Annual full-time salaries span $30,000 – $50,000 for entry-level roles. Hourly income as a freelancer ranges from $15 – $30 based on speed and quality of labeling.

Required Education: A high school diploma with some technical certifications is adequate for getting started. Subject matter expertise in the data domain is valued.

Required Skills: Attention to detail, communication abilities, basic data handling capabilities using various annotation tools, and data literacy matter.

How To Start: You can get a comprehensive understanding from LabelBox. Some data labeling learning programs include:

11. Junior Data Integration Engineer

Junior data integration engineers help connect and combine data from different systems and sources.

Job Description: They assist in designing and developing data integration procedures to enable data flow between applications. Some coding of integration scripts and building data mapping documentation are also involved.

Expected Salary Range: Annual salaries for full-time roles typically span $65,000 – $85,000. Hourly income as a freelancer is around $30 – $50.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer information systems, or related fields is required. Relevant certifications are valued.

Required Skills: Knowledge of SQL, ETL frameworks, XML, and integration styles (SOAP, REST) is key. Understanding of APIs, debugging ability, and attention to detail matter.

How To Start: There are thousands of courses available on Coursera and Udemy. You can also try some helpful learning resources like:

12. AI Consultant

AI consultants advise companies on strategies to effectively leverage AI technology. It is also among the best-paid artificial intelligence jobs for beginners.

Job Description: They assess business needs and provide guidance on suitable AI solutions. Some help implement AI systems and ensure smooth integrations with existing tools. Monitoring performance and continuous improvement planning may also be required.

Expected Salary Range: The average annual salary ranges from $80,000 to $150,000 for full-time roles. Hourly project fees range between $100-$250 for independent consultants.

Required Education: A master’s degree in AI, machine learning, data science, or computer science is preferred, but some bachelor’s holders can qualify.

Required Skills: Understanding of AI and modern tech stacks, data and systems analysis, communication, creativity, and strategic thinking capabilities matter.

How To Start: You need to have both the tech skills and soft skills to get into this profession. Helpful beginner resources include:

13. AI Educator

AI educators teach and train students and professionals on AI concepts, technologies, and applications. If you have a teaching background, it is probably the best role for you.

Job Description: They design and deliver courses, workshops, boot camps, etc, on AI topics at schools, colleges, companies, and online platforms. Developing curriculums, lesson plans, and presentations and keeping content updated are also key roles.

Expected Salary Range: Average annual salaries for full-time AI educators range from $80,000 to $120,000. Hourly training fees span $100 to $300 for independent educators.

Required Education: A master’s degree in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data science is preferred. Some bachelor’s degree holders qualify, too.

Required Skills: Expert-level knowledge of AI and ability to simplify complex concepts. Strong communication skills and passion for teaching matter.

How To Start: You need to follow the top educators in the AI industry to get the groundwork. Helpful entry-level resources are as follows:

14. AI Research Assistant

AI research assistants support scientists and engineers in developing innovative applications of artificial intelligence. If you want to pursue a career in the research field, it is perfect for you.

Job Description: They compile, process, and analyze datasets to enable experiments. Some assist in programming models, running tests, monitoring experiments, and documenting results. Basic coding and prototyping may be required.

Expected Salary Range: Annual salaries for full-time roles typically span $50,000 – $80,000. Hourly income as a freelancer ranges from $25 to $50 on average.

Required Education: A master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a technical field is necessary. Relevant research internships provide an edge.

Required Skills: Coding languages like Python and R, data analysis abilities, math and stats basics, machine learning foundations, and strong communications capability.

How To Start: There are thousands of research papers available on the internet that you can surely read. Some helpful learning resources are:

15. Associate Data Scientist

Associate data scientists work on collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to uncover insights for business decisions.

Job Description: They gather data from databases and other sources, process it using Python, SQL, R, etc., and perform exploratory analysis. Building basic ML models and visualizing findings through reports and presentations comprise other key duties.

Expected Salary Range: The average salary for full-time roles spans $85,000 to $120,000 per year. Hourly charges range from $50 to $80 for independent contractors.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree in data science, statistics, computer science, or a quantitative field is required. Relevant internships provide a boost.

Required Skills: Programming in Python/R, SQL, data visualization, statistical modeling, machine learning foundations and communication abilities are key.

How To Start: Here are some of the helpful resources that can set the ground before you actually enter this field:

What Are The Required Soft Skills For Beginners To Enter The AI Industry?

Soft skills allow us to effectively apply technical knowledge when starting an AI career. They enable working well with teams and stakeholders. As an AI beginner, you should focus on developing five key soft abilities:

Communication: Clearly convey complex data and models to non-technical audiences.
Creativity: Find innovative ways to solve problems and improve systems.
Collaboration: Cooperate across teams to achieve shared goals.
Time Management: Handle multiple projects and meet deadlines through organization.
Learning Agility: Rapidly gain new technical skills to stay relevant in a fast-changing industry.

These soft skills allow you to thrive in entry-level part-time weekend jobs and full-time work. They complement your AI and data science expertise.

With perseverance, you can gain proficiency in these areas through online courses and on-the-job practice.

How To Prepare For An AI Job Interview As A Complete Beginner?

Interviewing for that first AI job for beginners can seem daunting. However, going in strategically prepared will help you make a winning impression. Follow this game plan:

Step 1: Review key AI concepts until confident explaining them conversationally.
Step 2: Research the company’s offerings and mission. Prepare questions that show interest.
Step 3: Identify likely technical interview questions around Python, SQL, statistics, and data visualization. Brush up weak areas.
Step 4: Prepare stories highlighting instances you demonstrated valued soft skills like creativity, collaboration, and communication. Quantify accomplishments.
Step 5: Practice discussing AI projects from coursework or independent learning. Identify limitations and how you will improve.
Step 6: Concisely walk through code samples line-by-line. Anticipate what problems they solve.
Step 7: Convince interviewers you will quickly learn on the job through examples of picking up new technical skills.

This approach displays core knowledge while emphasizing the ability to grow into the role. Highlight fit and eagerness to be part of their mission.

Final Note

We hope you now feel empowered to access AI jobs for beginners and launch an exciting artificial intelligence career regardless of your starting experience. Tons of learning resources and entry openings make this achievable for newcomers.

Remember to develop technical skills while demonstrating eagerness to grow on the job. AI promises to transform every industry. So, get in early and ride this accelerating wave. With consistency and a learning mindset, lucrative prospects like high-paying remote jobs will open quickly. Wishing you success entering this high-growth space!

Zeeshan Hakmi

Zeeshan Hakmi, CEO of FinancingFocus.com, has been causing a stir in the software development world for over two decades. Armed with an MBA from Governors State University and a knack for problem-solving, this new-age entrepreneur has been leading the charge in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and project delivery across the USA.
When he’s not busy exploring the limitless potential of artificial intelligence, you can find him penning thought-provoking articles on the intersection of AI, business, and finance. But don’t let his tech-savvy persona fool you – Zeeshan is a nature enthusiast at heart, always ready to trade his keyboard for a hiking trail.
With a passion for innovation and a thirst for adventure, Zeeshan is proof that you can have your code and travel too.