AI Job Boom: 12 Entry-Level Roles You Can Get Without a CS Degree

While traditional tech jobs are getting harder to land—Big Tech companies reduced new graduate hiring by 25% in 2024 compared to 2023—AI is creating entirely new career paths. Jobs that require AI skills pay nearly 25 percent higher wages than their non-AI skilled counterparts, with AI jobs anticipated to grow by 40% in the coming years.

This guide reveals 12 entry-level AI roles you can land without a CS degree, complete with realistic salary ranges, required skills, and exactly how to get started.

The AI job market reality: Skills over degrees

The hiring landscape has fundamentally shifted. Organizations can no longer reject employees without a college degree if they have demonstrable skills and experience in artificial intelligence. What matters now isn't your diploma—it's your ability to work with AI tools and understand their applications.

Statistics and on projected best future careers suggest that more AI roles than ever will become available on the job market in the coming years. The key difference between those who land these roles and those who don't? Knowing which positions are truly accessible and how to position yourself for them.

12 Entry-level AI roles you can get without a CS degree

1. AI Prompt Engineer

Salary Range: $95,000 to $270,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting around $85,000-$95,000

Prompt engineers craft inputs for AI models to produce optimal outputs. The combination of deep knowledge of computational linguistics and LLMs like ChatGPT, LLaMA, or GPT-4, together with creativity, is critical for getting valuable outputs for businesses.

What you need:

• Strong writing and communication skills

• Understanding of AI capabilities and limitations

• Experience with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or similar platforms

• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

How to get started: Practice prompt engineering with free AI tools, document your results, and build a portfolio showing before/after improvements.

2. AI Data Labeling Specialist

Salary Range: $17-$35 per hour entry-level ($35,000-$73,000 annually), with advanced positions reaching $93,500

These professionals are responsible for the meticulous task of labeling, categorizing, and validating the data used to train AI and machine learning models. High-quality annotated data is the bedrock of effective AI systems.

What you need:

• Attention to detail and accuracy

• Ability to follow guidelines precisely

• Basic computer skills

• Patience for repetitive tasks

How to get started: Look for "data annotator" roles on platforms like RWS, Lionbridge, or directly with AI companies. RWS Group offers remote, part-time positions with compensation ranging from $14-20 USD per hour.

3. AI Chatbot Trainer/Conversational AI Specialist

Salary Range: $19-$144 per hour, with full-time roles averaging $50,000-$80,000 annually

You will work with the chatbots that companies are building in order to measure their progress, evaluate their logic, and solve problems to improve the quality of each interaction.

What you need:

• Strong communication skills

• Understanding of customer service principles

• Ability to think like end users

• Basic understanding of conversation flow

How to get started: Many remote positions are available with flexible schedules. Start by familiarizing yourself with popular chatbot platforms and documenting conversations that could be improved.

4. AI Content Moderator

Salary Range: $35,360 per year ($17 per hour) average, with entry-level starting at $33,280

Content moderators review AI-generated content for accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance with guidelines. Social Media Content Moderators are responsible for moderating user-generated content on clients' platforms by reviewing images, videos, and text.

What you need:

• Strong judgment and decision-making skills

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity

• Ability to work with potentially disturbing content

• Basic understanding of AI limitations

How to get started: Many companies hire remote content moderators. Positions often offer $50-$100/hr for specialized roles.

5. Virtual AI Assistant

Salary Range: $24.40-$28.09 per hour ($50,000-$58,000 annually)

AI-powered virtual assistants help businesses automate tasks while providing human oversight and intervention when needed.

What you need:

• Excellent organizational and communication skills

• Familiarity with AI productivity tools

• Customer service experience

• Ability to manage multiple tasks

How to get started: The Virtual Assistant job market is very active with opportunities for advancement based on skill level and experience. Focus on learning AI tools like scheduling assistants, email management, and task automation.

6. AI Ethics Coordinator

Salary Range: $60,000-$135,800 per year, with entry-level positions starting around $60,000-$80,000

AI ethicists monitor the ethical implications of AI technology and help address the ethical questions and implications of using artificial intelligence within an organization.

What you need:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

• Understanding of ethics and moral philosophy

• Communication skills to work with diverse teams

• Interest in policy and regulation

How to get started: Popular degree options are philosophy, computer science, law, psychology, and social sciences, but practical work experience related to AI development and policy-making is also valued.

7. AI Customer Support Specialist

Salary Range: $40,000-$65,000 per year

These specialists handle escalated issues from AI chatbots and help improve customer service AI systems based on real user interactions.

What you need:

• Customer service experience

• Problem-solving skills

• Understanding of AI limitations

• Patience and empathy

How to get started: Look for "AI customer support" or "chatbot support specialist" roles. Many companies are hiring for these hybrid human-AI positions.

8. AI Project Coordinator

Salary Range: $75,000-$95,000 per year

Project manager has become a vital role in rolling out AI tools for teams. You'll be tasked with managing all aspects of project functionality, including key measurables, performance indicators, and progress reports.

What you need:

• Project management experience

• Leadership and organizational skills

• Basic understanding of AI capabilities

• Ability to coordinate technical and non-technical teams

How to get started: Get familiar with project management tools and AI implementation processes. Consider earning a PMP certification to strengthen your candidacy.

9. AI Content Writer/Creator

Salary Range: $45,000-$75,000 per year

AI content creators use AI tools to produce high-quality content while adding human creativity, fact-checking, and strategic thinking.

What you need:

• Strong writing and editing skills

• Understanding of AI writing tools

• SEO and content marketing knowledge

• Creativity and strategic thinking

How to get started: Build a portfolio showing how you use AI tools to create better content faster. Demonstrate your ability to fact-check and improve AI-generated text.

10. AI Social Media Strategist

Salary Range: $50,000-$70,000 per year

AI has found its way into content creation, with platforms like ChatGPT and Google Bard becoming incredibly helpful in developing social media content and strategy. This means the social media strategist role has become an AI job.

What you need:

• Social media marketing experience

• Understanding of AI content tools

• Analytics and data interpretation skills

• Creative strategy development

How to get started: Learn to use AI tools for content creation, scheduling, and analytics. Show how you can combine AI efficiency with human creativity and strategy.

11. AI Research Assistant

Salary Range: $74,187 average (with additional $14,058 in commission/bonuses for a total of $88,245)

Research assistants need to have excellent communication skills and basic computer programming skills, with proficiency in coding and data science being valuable.

What you need:

• Strong research and analytical skills

• Basic data analysis capabilities

• Scientific writing abilities

• Attention to detail

How to get started: A graduate student may hold a research assistant position at an academic institution or company while obtaining an advanced degree. Look for opportunities at universities, research institutes, or AI companies.

12. AI Policy Specialist

Salary Range: $70,000-$120,000 per year

While AI is still in the wild west stage of development and regulation, meaningful policy is inevitable. AI Policy Specialists need to be well-versed in policy and the legislative process.

What you need:

• Understanding of policy development and government processes

• Excellent writing and communication skills

• Knowledge of AI capabilities and limitations

• Legal or regulatory background preferred

How to get started: Stay informed about AI regulation, build expertise in policy writing, and network with professionals in government and regulatory affairs.

Industry-specific opportunities

Healthcare AI: Healthcare AI engineers has the lowest salary. Their average yearly salary is $64K, with a minimum base salary of $50K and a maximum of $75K, but the field is expanding rapidly with 2.3 million jobs being added through 2033.

Financial Services: Financial institutions are hiring AI specialists at premium rates due to regulatory requirements and the sensitive nature of financial data.

Government and Defense: Federal agencies are increasingly looking for AI ethics specialists and policy experts, often with excellent benefits and job security.

Skills that matter most (and how to build them)

Based on job posting analysis, here are the most in-demand skills for entry-level AI roles:

Technical Skills (can be learned online):

• Familiarity with AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney)

• Basic data analysis and spreadsheet skills

• Understanding of AI capabilities and limitations

• Prompt engineering techniques

Soft Skills (often more important than technical knowledge):

• Critical thinking and problem-solving

• Communication and collaboration

• Ethical reasoning

• Adaptability and continuous learning

How to build these skills fast:

1. Take free online courses:

   Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer AI fundamentals courses

2. Practice with AI tools:

   Use ChatGPT, Claude, and other tools daily for various tasks

3. Join AI communities:

   LinkedIn groups, Reddit communities, and Discord servers

4. Document your learning:

   Create a portfolio showing your AI projects and improvements

The application strategy that works

1. Target the right companies:

• AI startups (more willing to hire based on skills vs. degrees)

• Traditional companies implementing AI (need diverse perspectives)

• Consulting firms specializing in AI transformation

2. Highlight transferable skills:

• Customer service → AI customer support or chatbot training

• Writing/Marketing → AI content creation or prompt engineering

• Project management → AI project coordination

• Teaching/Training → AI model training or ethics

3. Show, don't just tell:

• Create examples of your work with AI tools

• Document improvements you've made to AI outputs

• Build a portfolio demonstrating your understanding of AI capabilities

What employers really want

Employers prefer candidates with programming language proficiency, but many entry-level positions are available for those with the right skills and knowledge portfolio.

Based on current hiring trends, employers prioritize:

• Practical experience

  over theoretical knowledge

• Problem-solving ability

  over technical perfection

• Communication skills

  for explaining AI to non-technical stakeholders

• Ethical awareness

  of AI's impact and limitations

• Adaptability

  as AI tools evolve rapidly

Red flags to avoid

Don't fall for these common misconceptions:

• "You need a CS degree for any AI job" – Information systems analyst, junior data analyst, data science analyst, and junior computer science roles are entry-level positions you could consider that sometimes don't require degrees

• "All AI jobs require coding" – Many focus on strategy, ethics, content, and user experience

• "AI will replace these jobs soon" – AI Trainers prove that AI is not here to replace humans—it's here to collaborate with them

Your 90-day action plan

Days 1-30: Foundation Building

• Complete at least one AI fundamentals course

• Start using AI tools daily for personal tasks

• Join 3-5 AI communities online

• Begin documenting your AI experiments

Days 31-60: Skill Development

• Choose 2-3 specific AI roles to focus on

• Build portfolio projects relevant to those roles

• Start networking with AI professionals

• Apply to 5-10 entry-level positions

Days 61-90: Acceleration

• Refine your portfolio based on feedback

• Increase application volume to 15-20 per week

• Consider freelance AI projects for experience

• Prepare for interviews by practicing AI-related scenarios

The bottom line: Your AI career starts now

The AI job boom isn't coming—it's here. The World Economic Forum's "Future of Jobs Report 2025" anticipates that AI and related technological advancements will substantially alter 22% of existing jobs by 2030, while also paving the way for millions of new roles.

While traditional entry-level jobs may be shrinking due to AI automation, entirely new categories of work are emerging that require human insight, creativity, and ethical judgment—qualities that can't be automated.

The key is getting started now, before these roles become saturated. AI engineers work in industries like health care, finance, entertainment, manufacturing, transportation, and more, with a projected job growth of 26 percent between 2023 and 2033.

Your competitive advantage isn't a CS degree—it's understanding how to work with AI rather than being replaced by it. The professionals landing these roles today are those who see AI as a tool to amplify their existing skills, not a barrier to entry.

Start with one role that matches your background, build relevant skills, and position yourself at the forefront of the most significant technological shift of our lifetime. The AI revolution needs diverse perspectives, ethical voices, and human judgment—skills no algorithm can replicate.

The question isn't whether you're qualified for AI jobs. It's whether you're ready to claim your place in the AI-powered future.