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Entry Level Recent Graduate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Recent Graduate Position Information and Requirements: * This is a Recent Graduate Full-Time position. * Must have graduated within the past 12 months, or will be graduating by Spring 2027, with a ...

Entry Level Sales Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site

$700 - $1.4K/wk

ENTRY-LEVEL SALES ASSOCIATE $700+ Starting Weekly Earnings | $850-$1,400 Typical Weekly Earnings ... A recent graduate or someone ready for a career change * Involved in sports, clubs, volunteering ...

In fact, a recent graduate successfully rewrote a decade-old C# trading application in C++ to ensure it meets our demanding needs for the next ten years Please note: * We accept one application per ...

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Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Recent Graduate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$25.8K

$49.3K

$70.6K

How much do entry level recent graduate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level recent graduate in Chicago, IL is $49,273.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,700.00 and $53,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are entry level recent graduate jobs?

Entry level recent graduate jobs are positions designed for individuals who have recently completed their college degrees and are starting their professional careers. These roles typically require little to no prior work experience and offer on-the-job training to help new graduates develop essential skills. Common industries hiring recent graduates include business, technology, healthcare, and education. Employers look for candidates with relevant coursework, internships, and a willingness to learn. Entry level jobs help graduates gain practical experience and serve as a stepping stone for future career growth.

What types of projects or responsibilities can an entry level recent graduate expect in their first few months on the job?

As an entry-level recent graduate, you can anticipate working on foundational tasks that help you build practical skills and become familiar with company processes. This may include assisting with data analysis, supporting team projects, shadowing experienced colleagues, and handling day-to-day administrative duties. You'll likely receive structured training and regular feedback, and have opportunities to participate in cross-functional meetings to better understand how your role fits within the broader organization. These experiences are designed to help you gradually take on more complex assignments as you develop confidence and expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level recent graduate, and why are they important?

To succeed as an Entry Level Recent Graduate, you generally need a relevant academic degree, foundational knowledge in your field, and strong problem-solving abilities. Familiarity with industry-standard software, basic data analysis tools, or productivity platforms such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is often expected. Strong communication, willingness to learn, and adaptability help you stand out in a competitive environment. These skills and qualities enable you to quickly contribute, collaborate effectively, and grow in your new role.

What is the difference between Entry Level Recent Graduate vs Data Analyst?

AspectEntry Level Recent GraduateData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in related field, internshipsBachelor's degree in data science, statistics, or related field; some roles prefer certifications
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, training-focused, team collaborationOffice setting, project-based, analytical tasks
Employer & Industry UsageEntry-level roles across various industries, including tech, finance, healthcareData-driven industries like finance, marketing, healthcare, tech
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level opportunities for recent graduatesClarifying roles and expectations for data analysis positions

In summary, an Entry Level Recent Graduate is an entry-level candidate with limited professional experience, often seeking their first role after graduation. A Data Analyst, while also often entry-level, requires specific skills in data interpretation and tools. The main difference lies in the focus: general entry-level roles versus specialized data analysis positions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Recent Graduate jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Recent Graduate jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Recent Graduate jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Recent Graduate jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Entry Level Recent Graduate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Entry Level Recent Graduate job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Recent Graduate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,273 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Software Engineer - Recent Graduate

Chicago, IL • On-site

PayPal
Software Development • 10K+ employees

$124K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


PayPal rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

The Company

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy.

We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.

We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade.

Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do - and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.

Job Summary:

This job implements tasks within the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), follows internal conventions and procedures, makes technical decisions, collaborates with peers and project leads, and contributes to code and design reviews.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Implements tasks within the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), receiving structure and oversight from more experienced staff
  • Follows well-established internal conventions and standard procedures
  • Understands internal standards & processes an applies them to make technical decisions
  • Collaborates with peers, manager, and project lead to gain understanding of tasks and review solutions
  • May contribute to code & design reviews

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 1+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Responsibilities & Preferred Qualifications:

Recent Graduate Position Information and Requirements:

  • This is a Recent Graduate Full-Time position.
  • Must have graduated within the past 12 months, or will be graduating by Spring 2027, with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related field from an accredited college or university.

The base pay for this role will depend on where you work and the relevant experience and expertise you bring. The expected range of pay for this role by location is:

Primary Location | Pay Range:

San Jose, California | ($124,700 - $137,000Annually)

Additional Location(s) | Pay Range:

Austin, Texas | ($113,400 - $124,500Annually)

Chicago, Illinois | ($113,400 - $124,500Annually)

Additionalcompensation for this role may include an annual performance bonus, equity, or other incentive compensation, as applicable.

Visa Sponsorship through PayPal is not available for this position now or any time in the future.

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

0

PayPal does not charge candidates any fees for courses, applications, resume reviews, interviews, background checks, or onboarding. When making an application directly, we will never ask you to share passwords, one-time passcodes (OTP), or verification codes. Any such request is a red flag and likely part of a scam. All communication regarding your application will come from official PayPal email domains. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately. To learn more about how to identify and avoid recruitment fraud please visit https://careers.pypl.com/contact-us.

For the majority of employees, PayPal's balanced hybrid work model offers 3 days in the office for effective in-person collaboration and 2 days at your choice of either the PayPal office or your home workspace, ensuring that you equally have the benefits and conveniences of both locations.

Our Benefits:

At PayPal, we're committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can't do this without our most important asset-you. That's why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing-physical, emotional, and financial-delivering meaningful value where it matters most.We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

Who We Are:

Click Here to learn more about our culture and community.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us atpaypalglobaltalentacquisition@paypal.com.

Belonging at PayPal:

Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.

Any general requests for consideration of your skills, please Join our Talent Community.

We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don't hesitate to apply.


What PayPal employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About PayPal

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

PayPal has remained at the forefront of the digital payment revolution for more than 20 years. By leveraging technology to make financial services and commerce more convenient, affordable, and secure, the PayPal platform is empowering more than 400 million consumers and merchants in more than 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit paypal.com. PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at paypalglobaltalentacquisition@paypal.com.

Industry

Software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1998

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