It always helps to know exactly what you’re getting into – especially at the start of your career.
Personal finance website WalletHub recently released its rankings of the best entry-level jobs out there.
WalletHub assigned points to each occupation, based on three metrics: immediate opportunity, growth potential, and job hazards.
More specifically, the category of immediate opportunity included median starting salary, number of job openings, and unemployment rate.
Growth potential included median annual salary, median tenure with employer, schedule flexibility, on-the-job training, income growth potential, projected job growth by 2024, and the likelihood of the occupation being replaced by computers.
And job hazards included fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 employees in the past three years and how typical it is for someone with each job to work more than 40 hours a week.
All of the data was collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, Indeed.com, and Salary.com.
Here are the top nine occupations on the list:
9. Electronics engineer
Electronics engineers work on small-scale electronic systems, like computers.
Median starting salary: $68,732
Immediate opportunity rank: 23
Growth potential rank: 24
Job hazards rank: 38
8. Software engineer
Software engineers develop and maintain software systems.
Median starting salary: $64,573
Immediate opportunity rank: 4
Growth potential rank: 22
Job hazards rank: 79
7. Training specialist
Training specialists provide training and education in a certain area and usually function as part of an HR department.
Median starting salary: $48,411
Immediate opportunity rank: 2
Growth potential rank: 26
Job hazards rank: 80
6. Safety representative
Safety representatives scrutinize health and safety conditions at job sites.
Median starting salary: $58,071
Immediate opportunity rank: 1
Growth potential rank: 57
Job hazards rank: 60
5. Electrical engineer
Electrical engineers work on large-scale electrical systems, like transformers and power transmission.
Median starting salary: $66,026
Immediate opportunity rank: 14
Growth potential rank: 38
Job hazards rank: 38
4. Web applications developer
Web applications developers create and maintain online applications.
Median starting salary: $57,773
Immediate opportunity rank: 21
Growth potential rank: 15
Job hazards rank: 22
3. Architect
Architects plan and design buildings and other construction projects.
Median starting salary: $48,379
Immediate opportunity rank: 7
Growth potential rank: 9
Job hazards rank: 56
2. Systems engineer
Systems engineers build and design complex systems, including spacecraft and bridges.
Median starting salary: $68,127
Immediate opportunity rank: 3
Growth potential rank: 32
Job hazards rank: 40
1. Engineer
Engineers design and build a wide range of structures and systems.
Median starting salary: $63,934
Immediate opportunity rank: 5
Growth potential rank: 20
Job hazards rank: 40