* Location: Salaries differ greatly between states, cities, and even rural versus urban areas. Cost of living plays a large role.
* Industry: A high school graduate working in construction will likely earn differently than one working in retail or food service.
* Experience: Even within the same industry, someone with several years of experience will earn more than a recent graduate.
* Specific Job: A skilled trade position (like electrician's assistant) will generally pay more than an entry-level position in customer service.
While a precise average is impossible to give, you'll generally find that entry-level positions for high school graduates fall within a range considerably lower than the national average salary for all workers. Expect to see numbers in the range of $25,000 to $35,000 per year in many areas, but this is a very rough estimate and can be significantly higher or lower depending on the factors mentioned above. Many jobs may pay less on an hourly basis.