13 Best First Jobs That Will Hire and Train New Grads

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Many high school students can’t wait for graduation, but transitioning to whatever comes next can be challenging. With college not being the path everyone chooses, a lot of high school graduates look for jobs that provide opportunities to kickstart careers, a meaningful chance at advancement and ultimately, a secure and stable financial future.

The American Opportunity Index’s 2024 Best Places for High School Graduates to Start a Career provides invaluable insight for young job seekers looking to enter the workforce without a college degree but with plenty of potential.

The list emphasizes companies known for hiring entry-level workers and either promoting them within or equipping them with the skills they need to find better opportunities elsewhere. Keep reading for a summary of the top companies identified by the Index as great starting points for high school graduates, the jobs they might be applying for and what they’re likely to pay.

Also here are top first jobs that can set you up for financial success.

Top 10 Companies for High School Graduates

• Chipotle Mexican Grille
• Lowe’s
• Walgreens Boots Alliance
• Foot Locker
• PNC Financial Services Group
• Gap Inc.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber
• Best Buy
• Chewy
• Starbucks

The American Opportunity Index has chosen the companies on this list because of the opportunities they provide for training and skill development, both crucial for recent high school graduates. These companies offer structured opportunities for career advancement and upward mobility, either within the organizations or through transferable skills workers can take to other jobs in the future.

Entry-Level Job Opportunities

Though entry-level jobs, by definition, tend to pay less than other positions, the experience and training beginning workers can pick up through them are priceless. The roles offered by these companies include a variety of entry-level positions, all of which are likely to be a great fit for high school graduates.

Barista

• Average hourly pay: $15.52 (according to Indeed)

Baristas greet customers, take orders and prepare and serve coffee and other beverages, as well as a selection of treats, snacks and light meals. An example employer for baristas is Starbucks.

Cashier

• Average hourly pay: $14.93 (according to Indeed)

The cashier position is less intensive than a customer service role. Cashiers at places like Lowe’s, Walgreens and Goodyear typically process customer transactions at a checkout counter or other point-of-sale, handling cash and credit card payments.

Customer Service Representative

• Average hourly pay: $19.72 (according to Indeed)

This position is more involved and typically requires helping customers resolve issues and answer questions via the phone, email or in person. Example employers for customer service representatives are PNC Bank or Chewy.

Geek Squad Cadet

• Average hourly pay: $22.40 (according to Indeed)

This is a valuable first job for any high school grad with some tech or IT skills. Workers in this role provide technical support and repairs for computers and electronic devices, either at a Best Buy retail location or on-site at customers’ homes and workplaces.

Pharmacy Technician

• Average hourly pay: $19.35 (according to Indeed)

This job does require certification, which you can generally obtain from community college or other certification programs. Workers in this role assist pharmacists (like at Walgreens) in preparing and dispensing medications under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Prep Cook

• Average hourly pay: $16.56 (according to Indeed)

This is an example of a job that allows you to pick up highly portable skills. Workers in this role prepare food (like at Chipotle). Typical tasks include chopping vegetables, marinating and cooking meats and preparing sauces.

Sales Associate and Crew Member

• Average hourly pay: $14.68 (according to Indeed)

This role assists customers by taking orders, helping them find products, answering questions and processing transactions. Examples of employers for these roles are Lowe’s, Foot Locker and Gap.

Sales Consultant

• Average hourly pay: $15.43 (according to Indeed)

This job — like at Best Buy — entails guiding customer purchases and offering expert advice for higher-end or specialized products, such as electronics or computers.

Shift Supervisor

• Average hourly pay: $19 (according to Glassdoor)

Though this position can be a promotion from barista, Starbucks does occasionally hire for these roles outright. Shift Supervisors oversee operations during a specific shift to ensure workflow stays smooth, employees are productive and customers are happy.

Stocker or Stockroom Associate

• Average hourly pay: $16.55 (according to Indeed)

This is typically not a customer-facing job — example employers are Lowe’s, Foot Locker and Gap. Those with this role maintain inventory levels, unpack and stock merchandise and ensure products are properly displayed.

Teller

• Average hourly pay: $18.34 (according to Indeed)

Bank tellers (like at PNC) process customer transactions, including deposits, withdrawals and account inquiries.

Tire Technician

• Average hourly pay: $14.75 (according to ZipRecruiter)

Tire technicians (like at Goodyear) perform various tire-related services, like mounting, balancing and rotating tires.

Warehouse Associate

• Average hourly pay: $18 (according to Glassdoor)

Warehouse associates at the pet product retailer Chewy handle inventory within the company’s warehouses. Typical tasks include receiving, storing and shipping products.

_{*Editor’s note: Job data for each role is accurate as of Dec. 20, 2024 and is subject to change.}

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