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Recent Graduate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Recent Graduate information

See California salary details

$5

$19

$32

How much do recent graduate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for recent graduate in California is $19.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.95 and $21.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recent graduate?

Recent graduates are individuals who have completed their college or university studies within the last few years, typically within the past one to three years. They often seek entry-level positions or internships to begin their professional careers. Employers may consider someone a recent graduate if they have little to no full-time work experience in their field of study. This group is known for bringing fresh perspectives, up-to-date knowledge, and a strong willingness to learn to the workplace.

What are some common challenges recent graduates face when transitioning into their first professional role?

Recent graduates often encounter challenges such as adjusting to a new work environment, understanding workplace expectations, and managing time effectively. It can take time to adapt to professional communication styles, learn industry-specific tools, and balance multiple tasks or projects. Building strong relationships with colleagues and seeking feedback can help ease the transition and foster personal and professional growth.

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

Recent graduates need a solid educational background in their chosen field, relevant internships or project experience, and a proactive approach to learning new concepts. Familiarity with industry-standard software, basic data analysis tools, and digital collaboration platforms is often expected. Strong communication, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities help recent graduates stand out when entering the workforce. These skills and qualities enable them to quickly integrate into teams, navigate new challenges, and contribute effectively to organizational goals.

What is the difference between Recent Graduate vs Intern?

AspectRecent GraduateIntern
CredentialsDegree or diploma, sometimes certificationsUsually students or those in training, may have minimal credentials
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, full-time positionTemporary, part-time or project-based
Employer UsageHired for ongoing roles after graduationGaining experience, often unpaid or low-paid
Search & ComparisonLooking for full-time entry rolesSeeking internship opportunities for experience

In summary, a Recent Graduate is typically someone who has completed their education and is seeking a full-time entry-level position, while an Intern is usually a student or new entrant gaining practical experience through temporary or part-time roles. Both are important steps in career development but serve different purposes in the employment journey.

What are the most commonly searched types of Recent Graduate jobs in California?

The most popular types of Recent Graduate jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Recent Graduate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Recent Graduate job openings:

Infographic showing various Recent Graduate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,139 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Recent Graduate - Benefits Advisor

Employee Benefits Security Administration

Pasadena, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$62K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Summary
EBSA plays a vital role in protecting the retirement, health, and other job-based benefits of America's workers, retirees, and their families. We issue effective regulations, offer comprehensive education and assistance to workers, plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and service providers, and rigorously enforce the law. We serve workers, families, and the broader employee benefits community by protecting the security and integrity of the nation's benefit systems.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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Major duties include but are not limited to the following:
  • Provide information, guidance, and assistance to plan administrators, plan service providers, participants, beneficiaries, the general public and other government agencies concerning provisions of ERISA and other related statutes, regulations, and Department published guidance, with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.
  • Assist participants and beneficiaries in obtaining benefits to which they are entitled but which they have not been able to secure from plan officials. Develop recoveries and referrals per EBSA's standard operating procedures. Explain the law, regulations or other guidance and works with employers to informally resolve benefit issues; with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.
  • Conduct research, fact-finding, analyzes data, and prepares and presents information about particular situations. Identify and develop responses to inquiries.
  • Identify potential criminal or more complex civil disputes that require formal investigation, or situations where it appears that a fiduciary violation of law has occurred, and develop investigative referrals; with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.
  • Educate individuals on their rights and responsibilities under ERISA and other related laws enforced by EBSA. Assist with planning and conducting outreach events; disseminate information related to ERISA employee benefits plan protections and retirement savings education; with supervisory/senior advisor assistance.

The advertised salary reflects the minimum and maximum pay for the listed locations. Upon selection, the salary will be set in accordance with the selectee's assigned duty location. Applicants may select up to two (2) duty locations. Please carefully consider and choose only the location(s) you can reliably and easily commute to on a regular recurring basis, if selected. To view the address of a specific location click here.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be at least 16 years.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
  • The entire duration of the Recent Graduate Appointment constitutes a trial period.
  • Appointees must sign a DOL Pathways Recent Graduate Program Participant Agreement.

Qualifications
This is an appointment under the DOL Recent Graduates program. The program duration is one year. Upon successful completion of the program and at the agency's discretion, the appointee may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service.
For more information, click Pathways Programs
Applicants must have graduated, within the past two years, (with an associate, bachelor, master, professional, doctorate, diploma, vocational, technical degree, or certificate, etc.) from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical educational program including registered Apprenticeship Programs, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Job Corps, Climate Corps).
You must meet the requirements for the Recent Graduate - Benefits Advisor, as described below.
Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
Applicants must demonstrate 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-07 in the Federal Service. Applicants must demonstrate at least two (2) of the specialized experience statements listed here:
(1) Experience providing clear written and verbal information and/or assistance in a customer service setting to a wide range of customers.
(2) Experience delivering educational information (e.g., drafting materials and responding to questions) tailored to the audience and subject matter.
(3) Experience using research and analytical methods to identify and analyze problems and gathering, validating, and compiling data.
(4) Experience building and maintaining working relationships with tact, empathy, and professionalism, including effectively engaging individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, and collaborating respectfully with people of varied perspectives and experiences.
OR
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of graduate level education, or LLB. or J.D.; if related.
OR
A combination of specialized experience and graduate level education that provided the specific knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.
Education
To be eligible for an appointment, you must meet requirement A or B.
A. Completed all requirements for a diploma, associate, bachelor, master, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical education program (including registered Apprenticeship Programs, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Job Corps, Climate Corps) within the previous two years; OR
B. Was released or discharged from active duty within the previous two years, where the applicant is a veteran who, due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying for a recent graduate position during any portion of the two-year eligibility period following completion of his/her degree or certificate requirements, provided that not more than six years have transpired since the applicant completed the requirements for a degree or certification. You must submit an academic transcript from your academic institution showing the date that you most recently completed the academic requirements described above.
*For Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions, click Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
*For Registered State Apprenticeship Programs Information, click State Apprenticeship Programs
*For Other Apprenticeship Programs, click Apprenticeship Programs
*For Industry-Endorsed Certificate Programs, click Career One Stop Certificate Finder
Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.
If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.
Additional information
The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers.
Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
This position is inside the bargaining unit. If the duty location is within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the Local 12, AFGE bargaining unit. If the duty location is outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the position will be included in the NCFLL bargaining unit.
For more information, click Career Ladder Promotion Information
Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the Required Documents section for additional requirements.
For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy.
Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.
The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information.
The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act.
Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.
All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the : Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.