5 Best First Jobs That Give Signing Bonuses
Written by
Deborah Sabinus
Edited by
Nicholas Morine
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Bonuses are common at salaried jobs and usually depend on the field you’re in. If you work in STEM fields, even at entry levels, you’ll often benefit from both signing bonuses and annual bonuses.
The nature and amount of a signing bonus usually depends on the company. According to Harvard, said bonuses can range from $10,000 to $50,000 for managers and executives, but frequently are pegged at less than $5,000 for clerical and technical workers. Bonuses are usually paid when an offer is accepted — within 1 to 120 days of signing a job offer — and you’re expected to pay the bonus back if you leave the company after having worked there for less than a year.
But, annual bonuses are usually subject to individual performance and can only be remitted by the end of the year. If you’re interested in the best jobs that give bonuses or looking to switch careers, here are 5 jobs (per Business Insider) that offer bonuses worth considering.
Truck Driver
- Amount: $15,000 and above.
This job usually involves operating all-wheel vehicles, managing laid and ensuring the safety of personnel involved in transportation. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent and usually offers training for the role.
Teacher
- Amount: $2,500-$10,000.
This job usually covers tutoring students, preparing lessons, managing student behavior and other roles specified by the hiring organization. Being a teacher requires a bachelor’s degree (and usually also a second degree in education). Advanced degrees may be an advantage.
Healthcare Worker
- Amount: $1,000-$10,000.
Healthcare workers cover different roles, and positions range from doctors to nurses to dental technicians. Since job descriptions vary, signing bonuses do as well. For instance, a physical therapist could get a $1,000 signing bonus while a pharmacist could get as much as $75,000 to sign on. Most positions require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a practicing license, as a minimum, though some roles may require college instead.
Software Engineer
- Amount: $10,000, according to Comparably.
This job involves using programming skills to build web interfaces, provide software and web support, and to fulfill other technical asks. It typically requires a degree in computer silence or engineering, and knowledge of programming languages is usually required. Some self-taught software engineers with applicable certifications can bypass this process with proof of their abilities, however.
Electrical Maintenance Technician
- Amount: $2,500-$5,000, as Cheapism reported.
This position supports maintenance and operations departments through repairs, and typically requires an associate degree (or certifications) in engineering technology and related fields.
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