A study examined whether point of entry into the work force affects earnings growth and employment stability. The Pennsylvania Regional Economic and Social Information data set (a 5% sample of workers whose wages were reported to the state's unemployment insurance program in 1969-1991) served as the study population. Analyses of the earnings growth experienced by workers who began working in the service, retail trade, and food service sectors before 1984 demonstrated real earnings increases by 1991 of up to 169%, 185%, and 470%, respectively. Workers who began working in 1984-1987 showed roughly two-thirds as much earnings growth as prior groups of work force entrants. Further analysis established that even when the relatively low entry-level wages of service industry workers compared to the entry wages of workers in manufacturing/heavy industry are taken into account, entry-level service and retail trade workers improve their economic status in absolute and relative senses. It was concluded that welfare reform should not be predicated on the notion that the entry-level wages offered in the industries where those leaving welfare can find employment are the only wages those workers can ever expect. (Eleven tables/figures are included. Appended are data about private sector entrants in 1975-1991.) (MN)