11 of the highest-paying entry-level jobs for the class of 2017

Think again.

By sifting through hundreds of thousands of job postings and profiles using its salary tool, LinkedIn recently found a number of jobs with entry-level openings and median first-year salaries of more than $70,000.

In ranking these occupations, LinkedIn rated occupations with more entry-level job openings better.

Here are a few occupations well-suited to recent grads who want to make bank:

11. Security engineer

Security engineers develop security programs and solutions for IT.

Median entry-level compensation $74,200

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 2,000+

10. Management consultant

Management consultants work with organizations to improve management, efficiency, and work performance.

Median entry-level compensation $74,300

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 150+

9. Pharmaceutical sales representative

Pharmaceutical sales representatives connect with physicians to attempt to influence them to prescribe certain drugs to patients.

Median entry-level compensation $75,000

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 700+

8. Operations engineer

Operations engineers focus on solving operational problems in organizations, using scientific methods.

Median entry-level compensation $75,000

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 800+

7. Consulting analyst

Consulting analysts advise companies and make recommendations on improving organizations.

Median entry-level compensation $75,000

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 4,000+

6. Technology analyst

Technology analysts work on organization's IT systems.

Median entry-level compensation $76,000

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 190+

5. Equity research analyst

Equity analysts study financial trends for organizations.

Median entry-level compensation $79,500

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 30+

4. Software engineer

Software engineers develop and maintain software systems.

Median entry-level compensation $80,000

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 33,000+

3. Hardware engineer

Hardware engineers design and build computer systems and discover new uses for computer hardware.

Median entry-level compensation $90,000

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 700+

2. Data scientist

Data scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data.

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 2,000+

1. Investment banking analyst

Investment banking analyst quantitatively analyze financial information and monitor investment portfolios for individuals and institutions.

Median entry-level compensation: $105,000

Number of open entry-level jobs on LinkedIn: 600+

11 of the highest-paying entry-level jobs for the class of 2017

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