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Entry Level Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Human Resource Intern

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $23.50/hr

We are a fast-growing, highly collaborative startup that prioritizes speed and impact, but we also ... This is an entry-level position with highly approachable expectations. Any experience in HR ...

... startup in Munich is looking for a Robot Learning Engineer to join a small, ambitious team working at the frontier of intelligent automation. This is an entry-level / new-grad research role where you ...

... startup in Munich is looking for a Robot Learning Engineer to join a small, ambitious team working at the frontier of intelligent automation. This is an entry-level / new-grad research role where you ...

Sales Associate

Irvine, CA · On-site

$15 - $20.50/hr

... Entry level to 3 years of experience in business development, sales, and/or the advertising ... Startup fun and perks. Hard, fast-paced, work but with immediate rewards and growth.

Sales Associate

Irvine, CA

$15 - $20.50/hr

... Entry level to 3 years of experience in business development, sales, and/or the advertising ... Startup fun and perks. Hard, fast-paced, work but with immediate rewards and growth.

Showing results 21-40

Entry Level Startup information

See California salary details

$12

$16

$21

How much do entry level startup jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level startup in California is $16.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.43 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of tasks and responsibilities can I expect in an entry level startup position?

In an entry-level startup role, your daily tasks can vary widely and may include supporting product development, assisting with market research, organizing team meetings, or handling customer inquiries, depending on the specific needs of the company. You'll likely collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, providing input and support where it’s needed most, which helps you build a broad skill set. It's common to wear multiple hats, so flexibility and a willingness to learn new processes are important. This dynamic work environment offers a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, quickly build your professional network, and potentially grow into more specialized roles as the startup expands.

What is an entry level startup?

An Entry Level Startup job is a position at a new or early-stage company designed for individuals with little to no prior professional experience. These roles often require adaptability, creativity, and a willingness to take on diverse tasks in a fast-paced environment. Employees in these positions may work on marketing, product development, customer support, or operations, depending on the company's needs. Because startups are typically small and dynamic, entry-level employees have the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills and grow quickly in their careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level startup position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an entry-level role at a startup, you need a mix of analytical skills, adaptability, and a proactive attitude, usually supported by a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with tools like Slack, project management platforms (such as Trello or Asana), spreadsheets, and basic marketing or coding platforms can be valuable depending on the startup’s focus. Strong communication, resilience in fast-changing environments, and collaborative problem-solving help you stand out. These abilities are essential because startups often require team members to quickly learn new skills, adapt to shifting priorities, and contribute broadly to dynamic projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Startup jobs in California? The most popular types of Startup jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Startup jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Startup jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Startup jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Startup job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Startup job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,766 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Strategic Projects Associate

David Joseph & Company

San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

$80K - $110K/hr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

San Francisco, CA · On-site · Full-time Compensation: $80,000–$110,000 base + up to 100% of base as bonus + meaningful equity

About the Company

Our client is an AI research lab investigating the boundaries and capabilities of AI through novel datasets and experimentation. Its customers are the foundation-model labs — it serves all of the frontier AI labs — and it's one of the fastest-growing companies in its cohort, well-backed by top-tier investors, with a founding team from top quant firms, big tech, and leading AI research labs.

Founded 2025 · 11–50 people · Industry: AI / Data

The Role

The client is hiring highly driven early-career operators as Strategic Projects Associates — new grads through ~2 years of experience who thrive in fast-paced, high-intensity environments and want significant ownership early. Associates work closely with Strategic Projects Leads supporting client execution, operational initiatives, and cross-functional projects, gaining deep exposure to startup operations, AI workflows, and customer strategy.

Tech stack: AI tools (e.g., Claude Code), Microsoft Office.

Requirements
  • New grad to 2 years of experience
  • A high-intensity background (top internships or a startup)
  • Willing to work 6 days a week
  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Excited about AI and the frontier labs
  • On-site in SF
Nice to Haves
  • Technical skills with AI tools like Claude Code
  • A top-company internship pedigree (FAANG, frontier AI lab, quant trading firm) showing high-intensity execution
  • Prior startup or founding-team experience demonstrating real ownership under ambiguity
  • Self-evidence of a grinder mentality: shipped side projects, ran a business in school, competed at a high level, or comparable
  • A technical major (CS, EE, ML, math, physics) or demonstrated technical fluency
  • Genuinely excited about the AI mission and frontier labs as customers, not just chasing the market
Why Join
  • Founder proximity and 0-1 exposure: work directly with the founding team with direct mentorship
  • A frontier-AI network: connect with researchers, builders, and investors, with the frontier labs as customers
  • Comp and fast track: competitive base + up to 100% of base as bonus + meaningful equity; high performers can become Strategic Projects Leads in ~1 year
  • A high-ownership alternative to entry-level investment banking and consulting
Details
  • Location — San Francisco, CA
  • Work policy — On-site, 6 days/week
  • Compensation — $80,000–$110,000 base + up to 100% of base as bonus + meaningful equity
  • Visa sponsorship — Not available
  • Employment type — Full-time