If you’re fresh out of college and just landed your first job, paying off your student loans might feel impossible. With an entry-level paycheck, rent, food, and basic bills can already take up most of your income. But the good news is, you don’t need to earn six figures to make progress on your debt.

In this post, we’ll break down how you can crush your student loans faster than you think, even with a starter salary. You’ll learn smart budgeting tips, extra income ideas, and proven strategies other Gen Z grads are using to pay off debt quickly.

Know What You Owe

Before you make a plan, you need to know exactly how much debt you have. Log into your loan servicer’s website or use the Federal Student Aid site to find your:

• Total loan balance
• Interest rates for each loan
• Minimum monthly payments

Understanding your loans helps you figure out where to focus your efforts. For example, private loans usually have higher interest rates than federal ones. Some people also choose to refinance or consolidate their loans, but that decision depends on your credit score, job security, and whether you qualify for federal loan forgiveness.

Build a Budget That Works for You

You don’t need a complicated budget to start making progress. Try one of these simple methods:

The 50/30/20 rule:

• 50% of your take-home pay goes to needs (rent, groceries, transportation)
• 30% goes to wants (eating out, shopping)
• 20% goes to savings and debt repayment

Zero-based budgeting:

• Every dollar has a job. You assign your income to categories like rent, groceries, minimum debt payments, and an extra loan payment.

Apps like YNAB, Mint, or even a Google spreadsheet can help you stay on track.

To free up money for debt, look at what you can cut. That might mean canceling unused subscriptions, sharing a phone plan with family, cooking at home more, or delaying big purchases.

According to Pew Research, nearly 25 percent of Gen Z adults live with their parents or family. If that’s an option for you, it could give you a head start on your loan payoff.

Make the Most of Your Income

You don’t need to make a lot of money to start making progress. Even small steps add up.

• Set up automatic payments for your loans. Many servicers give you a small interest rate discount when you do this.
• Make biweekly payments instead of monthly. This adds one extra payment per year without much effort.
• Round up your payments. If your minimum is $210, pay $250 or more if you can.

Also, don’t waste your tax refund or work bonus. Throw that money directly at your highest-interest loan. It can make a bigger impact than you’d think.

Start a Side Hustle

Many Gen Z borrowers use side hustles to speed up their loan payments. Some common ideas include:

• Freelancing: design, writing, video editing, or social media gigs
• Gig apps: DoorDash, Instacart, Uber, or TaskRabbit
• Online work: virtual assistant, remote tutoring, or customer service
• Selling: resell thrifted clothes on Depop or create digital downloads on Etsy

One Reddit user shared how they paid off $20,000 in loans in under two years by driving for DoorDash after work and freelancing on weekends. Even earning an extra $200 a month can shorten your loan payoff timeline by years.

Pick a Repayment Strategy That Fits Your Personality

There are two main ways to pay off debt faster:

Snowball method:

• Pay off your smallest loan first, while making minimum payments on the others.
• Once that’s gone, focus on the next smallest, and so on.
• This method gives quick wins and builds momentum.

Avalanche method:

• Pay off the loan with the highest interest rate first.
• You’ll save more money in the long run, but it may take longer to see progress.

If you’re unsure which one fits you best, think about your personality. If you’re motivated by crossing things off your list, snowball might help you stick to the plan. If you want the most efficient method, avalanche is the way to go.

What If You Can’t Afford Payments Right Now?

If you’re struggling to make payments on your entry-level salary, consider applying for an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. These adjust your monthly payment based on your income and family size.

The SAVE plan (recently introduced) can lower payments and even forgive remaining debt after a certain number of years for some borrowers.

But be aware: Lower payments mean your loan could last longer, and you might pay more interest over time. Use these plans as a tool, not a permanent solution.

Track Your Progress and Stay Focused

It’s easy to feel stuck, especially when your progress feels slow. That’s why it helps to:

• Use a visual tracker (apps, spreadsheets, printable charts)
• Celebrate small milestones (first loan paid off, hitting $5,000, etc.)
• Join online communities like r/studentloans or r/debtfree for motivation and advice

How Long Will It Take?

The national average time to pay off student loans is about 21 years. But people who stay focused and make extra payments can do it in 5 to 7 years—or less.

For example, if you owe $30,000 and earn $40,000 a year, paying just $300 per month could wipe out your debt in about 10 years. Pay $500 a month, and you could finish in under 6 years.

Sage Final Thoughts

Student loan debt is a huge burden, but it doesn’t have to be forever. With the right plan and consistent effort, you can pay off your loans faster—even on an entry-level salary.

Start by knowing what you owe, building a budget, picking the right repayment method, and earning extra income if you can. Stay consistent, and your future self will thank you.