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Graduate Associate Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

ihs

Graduate Engagement Strategist (Remote)

Arlington, VA · Remote

$60K - $75K/yr

Reporting to the Associate Director of Intellectual Talent Development, the GES connects graduate scholars to resources, academic opportunities, and relevant members of the broader IHS network. This ...

Howard University

Associate Dean

Washington, DC · On-site

The Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs is responsible for managing Teaching Assistantships, graduate student funding, and infrastructure for promoting and overseeing external funding ...

VHC Health

New Graduate Nurse Residency

Arlington, VA · On-site

$40 - $47.48/hr

Associate's in Nursing Required or, Bachelor's in Nursing Required Experience: New Graduate: under one year of Nursing/Patient Care in an acute care setting Certification/Licensure: Licensed as a ...

BODY ART ALLIANCE

Warehouse Associate

Hanover, MD

$18.50 - $19/hr

High School Graduate or equivalent GED required, Associates' or Bachelors' degrees are a plus. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: * Be able to move throughout the warehouse independently as directed if needed,

VHC Health

New Graduate Nurse Residency

Arlington, VA

$40 - $47.48/hr

Associate's in Nursing Required or, Bachelor's in Nursing Required Experience: New Graduate: under one year of Nursing/Patient Care in an acute care setting Certification/Licensure: Licensed as a ...

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How much do graduate associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate associate in Washington, DC is $20.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate associate?

Graduate Associates are typically recent university graduates who are hired by organizations into structured, entry-level programs designed to develop their professional skills. These programs often include rotations through different departments, mentorship opportunities, and formal training sessions. The goal is to prepare graduates for long-term careers within the organization by exposing them to various aspects of the business. Graduate Associate roles are common in fields such as finance, consulting, technology, and engineering. Participants usually have the chance to network, learn industry-specific skills, and gain hands-on experience.

What projects and responsibilities can a graduate associate expect during their rotation period?

As a Graduate Associate, you can expect to work on a variety of projects across different departments, such as marketing, finance, operations, or product development. Responsibilities often include data analysis, preparing reports, participating in team meetings, and supporting senior staff with ongoing initiatives. The rotational structure is designed to give you broad exposure to the company and industry, allowing you to develop a well-rounded skill set and identify your preferred career path. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is common, and you'll frequently be encouraged to contribute fresh ideas and take initiative on assignments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate associate?

To thrive as a Graduate Associate, you typically need a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree, strong analytical abilities, and solid academic achievements. Familiarity with productivity software (such as Microsoft Office Suite), business analytics tools, or specialized industry platforms is often required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and a proactive attitude are crucial soft skills for excelling in this early-career role. These competencies enable Graduate Associates to contribute effectively, learn quickly, and add value to dynamic teams in fast-paced organizational environments.

What is the difference between Graduate Associate vs Intern?

AspectGraduate AssociateIntern
Required CredentialsTypically recent graduates or students pursuing advanced degreesUsually students or early-stage learners, often undergraduates
Work EnvironmentProfessional, project-based, often in finance, consulting, or corporate settingsLearning-focused, supportive roles, often in summer or semester internships
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in finance, consulting, law firms, and corporate sectorsWidely used across industries for training and talent pipeline

The main difference between a Graduate Associate and an Intern lies in their experience level and responsibilities. Graduate Associates are usually recent graduates or graduate students working in professional roles with more responsibility, while Interns are typically students gaining introductory experience. Both roles serve as entry points into their respective industries, but Graduate Associates often have more advanced skills and longer-term employment prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Graduate jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Associate jobs in Washington, DC?

For Graduate Associate jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Associate jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Associate jobs in Washington, DC are:

Graduate Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Associate job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,261 per year, or $20.8 per hour.

2027 Graduate - Associate Electro-optic Engineer

Johns Hopkins University AppliedPhysicsLaboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New

Job description

Description
Do you want to explore a career in optical system analysis and development? Are you passionate about helping shape the technology of tomorrow through cutting edge research and development projects? Are you looking for a job that allows you to do both software-based data analysis as well as hands on laboratory experimentation?
If you are graduating with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline and want to apply your expertise to optics and photonics research applications, we'd love to have you join our team!
We are a team of highly skilled scientists and engineers focused on the development of innovative solutions to our nation's critical challenges. We seek to drive technology advances in a variety of applications including testing and analysis of advanced optical systems, optical system design, rapid prototyping of electro-optical systems, and development of advanced electronics for integration with optical systems. Our team values include respect, communication, and technical and professional integrity. We strive to foster an environment in which we can have spirited technical discussions that drive towards truly innovative solutions.
As a member of the Optics and Photonics Group...
  • Your primary responsibility will be to support projects as an individual technical contributor. Examples of this include using software tools to develop modeling and simulation capabilities, setting up experiments and collecting data in various optical laboratories, and performing data analysis.
  • You will collaborate on multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex problems for our sponsors.
  • You will make an impact by detailing work into formal and informal technical reports including presentations, conference proceedings, and journal articles.

Qualifications
You will meet our qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
  • Are interested in exploring a career in one or more of the following areas: Optical Imaging Systems, Optical System Design, Optical System Analysis and Test, or Prototyping of Advanced Optical Systems
  • Have excellent written and oral communication skills and an ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Are willing and able to work on site at APL and travel occasionally in support of meetings, workshops and reviews with government sponsors, contractors, vendors, and field tests.
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at ;br>
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$165,000 Annually

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