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Graduate Student Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Dominican University

Graduate Recruiter

River Forest, IL · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

The Graduate Recruiter is responsible for nurturing prospective students throughout the enrollment lifecycle from lead to admitted student. Duties/Responsibilities * Contribute to the determination ...

Northwestern University

Program Assistant 2

Evanston, IL · On-site

$19.75 - $24/hr

Updates graduate student records when a milestone is reached. Website Social Media & Design * Assists with website maintenance, social media feeds, and annual newsletter updates. * Helps with graphic ...

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All JobsGraduate Student JobsGraduate Student Jobs in Illinois

Graduate Student information

See Illinois salary details

$6

$16

$23

How much do graduate student jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate student in Illinois is $16.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate student?

Graduate students are individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and are pursuing advanced studies, typically at the master's or doctoral level. They enroll in graduate programs to gain deeper knowledge in a specific field, conduct research, and develop specialized skills. Graduate students may also take on teaching or research assistantships as part of their academic training. Their studies often culminate in a thesis, dissertation, or comprehensive exams, depending on the program.

How can I get a job as a graduate student?

The qualifications that you need to get a job as a graduate student include enrollment in a master’s or Ph.D. program and fundamental research or teaching skills. Employers usually select graduate degree employees for positions that are relevant to the programs in which they study. A biology graduate student, for example, can work as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate biology class or serve as an assistant on a biology-related research project. However, you may occasionally find work outside of your specialization if there is some crossover. Some employers require applicants to meet grade-point requirements or complete basic coursework before applying.

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

To thrive as a Graduate Student, you need strong research abilities, subject-matter expertise from an undergraduate degree, and critical thinking skills. Familiarity with academic databases, reference management tools like EndNote or Zotero, and data analysis software such as SPSS or R is often required. Time management, perseverance, and effective communication are essential soft skills for balancing coursework, research, and collaboration. These competencies are vital for successfully navigating demanding academic environments and producing impactful scholarly work.

What are common challenges graduate students face when balancing research, coursework, and teaching responsibilities?

Graduate students often juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, such as conducting research, completing coursework, and fulfilling teaching assistant duties. Managing time effectively and setting clear priorities can be challenging, especially during peak periods like exams or grant deadlines. Many students find it helpful to communicate regularly with their advisors and peers, utilize campus resources for academic support, and develop strong organizational habits to stay on track. Building a supportive network and seeking guidance early can alleviate stress and help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What is the difference between Graduate Student vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate StudentResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled in a graduate program, often pursuing a master's or PhDTypically has a relevant degree; may be a current student or recent graduate
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, labs, classroomsResearch labs, universities, research centers
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, academic researchUniversities, research institutions, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for academic and research rolesSpecialized research roles within academia

The main difference is that a Graduate Student is enrolled in a degree program and may undertake research as part of their coursework, while a Research Assistant is typically employed to assist with research projects, often holding a relevant degree or current student status. Both roles are common in academic settings and involve research activities, but their primary purpose and employment status differ.

What are good jobs for graduate students?

Graduate students often pursue part-time or flexible jobs such as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, tutoring, or internships related to their field of study. These roles help gain experience, develop skills, and often accommodate a student’s schedule while providing income. Additionally, roles in retail, hospitality, or administrative support are common for supplementary income.
More about Graduate Student jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Student jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Graduate Student jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Student jobs in Illinois?

For Graduate Student jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Student jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Student jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Graduate Student jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Graduate Student job openings:

Graduate Student jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Student job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 46% Full Time, 49% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,397 per year, or $16.1 per hour.

Graduate Marketing Assistant (Student) (FWS)

American

Campus, IL

$20/hr

Part-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.

Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log intoyour employee Workday accountand select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.

Department:

School of Public Affairs

Time Type:

Part time

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

Assist the marketing team with creating and updating marketing content using Canva templates. Help organize content, make basic design edits, and compile simple marketing metrics as needed. This position will work 5 - 10 hours weekly.

Essential Functions:

  • Edit Canva templates for social media posts.

  • Add images and text to existing designs.

  • Create and update multi-slide graphics.

  • Download, organize, and review content before publication.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

  • Part-time.

  • 5 - 10 per week.

Salary Range:

  • $20.00 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

  • AU Graduate Student.

  • Basic graphic design skills.

  • Familiarity with Canva.

  • Basic knowledge of social media platforms.

  • Comfortable learning and using AI tools.

  • Attention to detail and ability to follow directions.

Preferred Education and Experience:

  • Basic familiarity with video editing.

  • Assist with basic data entry and marketing metrics.

  • No work experience needed.

  • All AU students are eligible to apply for this position, with a preference for those students with a Federal Work Study award.

Other Details

  • This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

  • Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

  • American University is an E-Verify employer.

  • Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log intoWorkdayand select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, emailtheworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

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