Entry-Level Job Market Statistics for 2026

Overview

The entry-level job market in 2026 presents a complex landscape for new graduates. While the market remains relatively stable, competition is intense, and the traditional "entry-level requires 3-5 years of experience" paradox persists in many industries.

However, there's encouraging news: experience requirements are loosening, skills-based hiring is on the rise, and employers increasingly value potential over pedigree. This report compiles verified statistics to help you navigate the entry-level job market strategically.

📉 Market Reality Check:

Entry-level job postings dropped 11.2% from Q1 2021 to Q2 2024, and 76% of employers reported hiring the same number or fewer entry-level employees in 2025 than in 2024. However, skills-based hiring is creating new pathways for candidates who can demonstrate relevant competencies.

Key Statistics

58%

Fresh graduates who are still looking for their first job after graduation

Source: High5Test Survey, 2025

70%

Job postings that now either don't mention experience or actively welcome candidates with none

Source: Indeed Hiring Lab, 2024

61%

Hiring managers who now prioritize job skills over traditional experience for entry-level roles

Source: The Interview Guys Research, 2025

76%

Employers who reported hiring the same number or fewer entry-level employees in 2025 than in 2024

Source: Cengage Report via CNBC, 2025

Detailed Findings

Overall Hiring Climate for Entry-Level Positions

The entry-level job market in 2025-2026 is characterized by cautious stability rather than explosive growth. Understanding these trends helps set realistic expectations.

+0.6% year-over-year — Actual hiring increase for the Class of 2025, down from initial projections of 7.3% growth (Source: NACE Job Outlook Spring 2025 Update)
24.6% — Employers planning to increase their graduate hiring in 2025 (Source: NACE Job Outlook 2025 Spring Update)
64.6% — Employers expecting to maintain their current hiring levels in 2025 (Source: NACE Job Outlook 2025 Spring Update)
~10% — Employers anticipating decreases in entry-level hiring (Source: NACE via The Interview Guys, 2025)
76% — Employers who reported hiring the same number or fewer entry-level employees in 2025 than in 2024 (Source: Cengage Report via CNBC, December 2025)
Market is essentially holding steady — Entry-level hiring is stable compared to 2024 levels, though not experiencing the growth initially projected (Source: NACE, 2025)

Entry-Level Job Availability and Competition

The supply-demand equation for entry-level positions has shifted significantly, with fewer postings and more candidates competing for each role.

11.2% drop — Decrease in entry-level job postings from Q1 2021 to Q2 2024, showing a long-term declining trend (Source: Aura.ai via The Interview Guys, 2024)
58% — Fresh graduates who are still looking for their first job after graduation (Source: High5Test Survey data, 2025)
Job market at 5-year low — The entry-level job market for college graduates is at its lowest point in five years (Source: Forbes citing Cengage report, September 2025)
Tougher competition for graduates — Fewer opportunities combined with steady graduate numbers means increased competition for available positions

💡 Context Matters:

While overall entry-level hiring has contracted, approximately 90% of organizations still intend to maintain or grow their entry-level hiring. The key is targeting the right industries and emphasizing skills over credentials.

Experience Requirements Are Loosening

One of the most encouraging trends: employers are backing away from rigid experience requirements and embracing skills-based evaluation.

Only 30% — U.S. job postings that explicitly require a specific number of years of experience in 2024, down from approximately 40% in October 2022 (Source: Indeed Hiring Lab via The Interview Guys, 2024)
~70% — Job listings that now either don't mention experience at all or actively welcome candidates with none (Source: Indeed Hiring Lab analysis, 2024)
32.6% in 2024 vs. 40% in 2022 — Job postings requiring specific years of experience dropped significantly (Source: The Interview Guys State of Job Search 2025 Research Report)
Healthcare support roles — Only about 20% of pharmacy and therapy roles now require experience, emphasizing certifications and soft skills instead (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)
Project management and accounting — Still more likely to seek experience in about 45-50% of postings, but even these fields are becoming more flexible (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)

The Rise of Skills-Based Hiring

As experience requirements decline, skills-based evaluation is becoming the dominant paradigm, creating opportunities for candidates who can demonstrate relevant capabilities.

61% — Hiring managers who now prioritize job skills over traditional experience when evaluating entry-level candidates (Source: The Interview Guys Research, 2025)
9 out of 10 executives — Agree that soft skills (human skills) are more important than ever (Source: LinkedIn's 2025 Future of Recruiting Report)
Nearly 65% — Employers who report using skills-based criteria "most of the time" when evaluating entry-level candidates (Source: NACE Job Outlook 2025 Spring Update)
73% — Employers who adopted skills-based hiring in the past year, up significantly from 56% in 2022 (Source: SHRM research via The Interview Guys, 2025)
54% — Organizations now using formal assessment tools to evaluate candidates' skills and abilities (Source: SHRM's 2024 Talent Trends)
Skills assessments becoming standard — Technical tests, situational judgment tests, and behavioral assessments are increasingly used to evaluate entry-level candidates

Degree Requirements and Educational Credentials

The role of college degrees in entry-level hiring is evolving, with contradictory trends emerging across different industries.

71% — Employers who now require a two- or four-year degree for entry-level roles in 2025, up from 55% in 2024 (Source: Forbes citing Cengage report, September 2025)
45% — Companies expected to drop degree requirements for key roles in 2025 (Source: The Interview Guys State of Job Search 2025)
Nearly 80% — NACE respondents who expect there will be no change in degree requirements over the next two years (Source: NACE Job Outlook 2024 Spring Update)
~20% — Employers who have had discussions about removing the college degree as a key requirement for entry-level positions (Source: NACE)
Contradictory trends — While some employers are removing degree requirements, others are increasing them, creating a bifurcated market

⚠️ Skills Gap Alert:

The Forbes/Cengage report notes that as the skills gap grows, some employers are actually increasing degree requirements for entry-level roles. This creates a challenging environment where credentials matter more in some sectors while skills matter more in others.

Entry-Level Salary Ranges

Compensation for entry-level positions varies significantly by industry, role, and location, but overall trends show mixed results.

~$55,000 — National average starting salary for new college graduates (Source: NACE Class of 2025 Salary Projections)
$85,000-$95,000 — Entry-level salary range for AI/tech-oriented positions like prompt engineers (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)
$35,000-$50,000 — Typical starting range for sustainability and green economy roles (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)
$30,000-$45,000 — Common starting range for remote administrative and customer support roles (Source: The Interview Guys, 2025)
$38,000 — Median for Customer Service Representative I positions (~$18/hour) (Source: Salary.com via The Interview Guys)
Tech positions pay highest — AI, prompt engineering, and data-related roles start well above the national average

Time to Hire and Job Search Duration

The length of job searches for entry-level candidates has extended, requiring patience and persistence from new graduates.

58% — Fresh graduates still looking for their first job after graduation, indicating extended search periods (Source: High5Test, 2025)
Several months typical — Entry-level job searches often extend 3-6 months or longer in the current market
Competition drives longer searches — With fewer entry-level postings and steady graduate numbers, time to hire has increased

Remote Work Opportunities for Entry-Level

Remote work has created new opportunities but remains a smaller portion of the entry-level market than many candidates expect.

Only 6% — Remote job ads that are explicitly for "entry-level" positions (Source: FlexJobs' Remote Work Economy Index)
70,000+ — Active remote "entry-level" listings on FlexJobs in early 2025, showing substantial absolute numbers despite low percentage (Source: FlexJobs)
30%+ growth — Remote marketing jobs grew over 30% in 2024, creating entry-level opportunities (Source: FlexJobs via The Interview Guys)
Top remote categories — Marketing & content creation, sales/business development, customer support, administrative/virtual assistance, and IT support offer the most entry-level remote positions

Industry-Specific Entry-Level Trends

Certain industries are more welcoming to entry-level candidates than others, with varying requirements and opportunities.

AI and Technology — Data annotation specialists, entry-level prompt engineers, and AI testing/QA roles welcome newcomers with relevant skills
Green Economy/Sustainability — Sustainability support assistants and environmental data collectors often require passion and attention to detail over experience
Healthcare Support — Patient care coordinators, medical scribes, and telehealth support specialists focus on coursework and certifications over experience
Customer Service — Remote customer service representatives highly accessible with strong communication skills
Tech hiring freeze impact — Experience requirements have tightened in tech amid hiring freezes, though AI roles are creating new entry points (Source: Indeed Hiring Lab, 2025)

What This Means for You

Set Realistic Expectations

With 58% of fresh graduates still searching for their first job and entry-level postings down 11.2% since 2021, expect your job search to take time. Most entry-level searches extend 3-6 months, so plan accordingly and don't get discouraged by initial rejections.

Emphasize Skills Over Credentials

With 61% of hiring managers prioritizing skills over experience and 73% of employers adopting skills-based hiring, your ability to demonstrate relevant competencies matters more than your resume timeline. Build a portfolio, complete certifications, and prepare for skills assessments.

Target the Right Industries

Not all industries are equally welcoming to entry-level candidates. Focus on growing sectors like AI/tech, sustainability, healthcare support, and remote customer service where skills-based hiring is most prevalent and experience requirements are lowest.

Don't Self-Select Out of Opportunities

With 70% of job postings now either not mentioning experience or welcoming candidates without it, apply confidently even when you see "1-2 years preferred." Many employers are flexible and value potential over perfect experience matches.

Prepare for Skills Assessments

With 54% of organizations now using formal assessment tools, expect to complete technical tests, situational judgment scenarios, or skills demonstrations as part of your application process. These assessments are actually your opportunity to shine without the "experience required" barrier.

Consider Alternative Credentials

While 71% of employers require degrees for entry-level roles (up from 55% in 2024), 45% of companies are expected to drop degree requirements. Focus on industries and companies embracing skills-based hiring if you have alternative credentials like certifications or bootcamp training.

💼 Strategic Advantage:

The bifurcated market creates opportunities for strategic candidates. While some employers tighten requirements, others are actively loosening them. Research companies' hiring practices, target skills-first organizations, and demonstrate your capabilities through projects, portfolios, and assessments rather than relying solely on credentials.

Methodology

This report synthesizes data from national employer surveys, job market research organizations, and academic studies published between 2024-2026. Key data sources include the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook surveys, Indeed Hiring Lab labor market analyses, and industry-specific hiring reports.

Special attention was paid to the NACE Job Outlook 2025 Spring Update, which surveys hundreds of employers about their hiring intentions, and the Indeed Hiring Lab's analysis of millions of job postings to track experience requirement trends.