For many people, signing bonuses make the difference between taking a job and passing it up. They’re not just extra cash; they help with relocation costs and other expenses that come with starting your first post-college gig. And while some companies offer signing bonuses as an employee benefit, others require them for specific roles or industries (like tech). Here are 16 companies offering sign-on bonuses to new grads:
JPMorgan Chase: $5,000
If you’re looking for a sign-on bonus, JPMorgan Chase offers $5,000 to new grads in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. That’s not an insufficient amount, considering it’s the minimum amount they offer. If you want more than $5K (I mean, really?), a higher salary will get you that and more.
Accenture: $5,000
You may want to consider Accenture if you’re in the market for a job with a sign-on bonus. The company offers a signing bonus of up to $5,000 depending on your job function—and more than 300 positions are available. To qualify for this one-time payment upon starting employment, candidates must be U.S.-based college graduates who have earned their degree within the last two years (or within four years if they are international students). To see if you qualify and get all the details regarding this offer, visit here.
PwC: $4,000
If you’re a new graduate, you may wonder how much money you can earn when starting your career. The answer? It depends on the company and where you work.
PwC is one company that offers sign-on bonuses for employees in specific fields. The average PwC employee will receive a $4,000 sign-on compensation upon being hired as an accounting associate or auditor associate—and even more if promoted within the first year of employment at PwC (about $6,500).
Deloitte: $2,500
Deloitte is a multinational professional services firm that provides audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services with more than 200,000 professionals globally. Deloitte’s U.S. headquarters is located in New York City.
For new graduates looking to get their feet wet in the accounting field as an auditor or manager, Deloitte offers a $2,500 sign-on bonus for qualified candidates who are hired into one of the following positions:
Audit Manager
Tax Manager
Senior Manager – Consulting (all industries)
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.: $2,500
You may not know Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. by name, but you’ve likely used one of their services. They’re an American multinational corporation that provides IT consulting, technology services, and business process outsourcing services. (In fact, they have a whole list of companies to which they provide these services.) Their client list includes some of the biggest names in tech: Amazon and Microsoft use them for their cloud computing needs.
Cognizant has been listed on the NASDAQ since 2000 and currently sits at about $80/share—but don’t let that stop you from applying! If you’re willing to give up a little bit of money from your sign-on bonus in exchange for a chance at working with these giant dogs in tech—and knowing folks who might want to buy shares off your back later on down the road (because who doesn’t love stock options?)—then this might be just the company for you!
Grant Thornton LLP: $2,500
Grant Thornton LLP is a global accounting and consulting firm that offers a sign-on bonus of $2,500. According to Glassdoor’s list of best companies with sign-on extras for new grads to work, the company is one of the top companies with signing bonuses for recent grads.
You can work on client projects across multiple industries and sectors at Grant Thornton LLP.
KPMG LLP: $2,500
KPMG LLP is a professional services firm with over 1,200 offices in more than 140 countries and territories worldwide. KPMG’s new grads are eligible for a $2,500 sign-on bonus. The company also offers 401(k) and family health benefits to all its employees (including those who have been there less than one year).
Ernst & Young LLP (EY): $1,000
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax and advisory services. They have been named “Best Place to Work in India” by The Great Place to Work Institute for six consecutive years.
EY offers a $1,000 signing bonus to new grads who join them after graduating from their program.
The company also provides flexible work hours, which means you can work 9:00 am to 5:00 pm if you want (or even earlier if that suits your schedule).
Another perk at EY is their 401(k) plan with a company match—an excellent way to boost your retirement savings! And don’t forget about tuition reimbursement, which makes continuing your education as easy as possible while still working full-time.
Wells Fargo & Co. and Bank of America Corp.: Up to $600
This is one of the most popular and well-known sign-on bonuses, with some Wells Fargo employees receiving as much as $600 (usually in cash). The exact amount depends on your job function, but you can expect it to be between $300-$600. It’s determined by how well you perform in your first year at the company. “Your performance determines whether or not you get a sign-on bonus,” said one employee.
1. Allstate
As an Allstate agent, you’ll enjoy a tremendous amount of autonomy. That means you’ll be able to choose your hours and which customers to serve. Moreover, this job comes with an immediate $1,500 signing bonus and opportunities for future earnings potential.
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
- You must be between 21-35 years old
- You need at least two years of experience in sales or account management roles (and one year of sales or account management experience within the past six)
- You must have graduated from high school within the last five years
2. American Airlines
American Airlines offers one of the best if you want a sign-on bonus. It’s $5,000, which is paid out in the form of an AAdvantage frequent flier credit. The money can be used for travel or other expenses related to your job. You must pay it back within 12 months of employment with American Airlines.
3. Anheuser-Busch InBev
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, is offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus for new grads hired as analysts or associates in its corporate finance department. The company also provides a $4,000 sign-on bonus to recent grads employed as associates and senior associates in its corporate finance department.
If you’re one of these lucky students who land this gig and can’t imagine living another day without your trusty brewskis, know that ABIB will cover all your beer costs (up to $10 per week) while you’re employed with them! Oh yeah: they’ll also pay up to $50 per month toward your car’s insurance if you drive under certain restrictions.
You might not think much about how many people work at a brewery until someone tries explaining “the beer business” or something like that—but it turns out there’s quite an industry around our favourite adult beverage! And Anheuser-Busch InBev is one of the biggest names in this industry; they have over 1’100 breweries across six continents producing millions upon millions of barrels each year. So don’t be surprised if their offer sounds too good to be accurate; after all, it isn’t every day someone offers us free beer!
4. AT&T
If you’re a recent college grad looking for a new job, AT&T may be worth checking out. The telecommunications company has been offering $1,000 bonuses to new college graduates who start in the company’s retail stores, call centers or technical support centers.
The bonus is only available to new college graduates who have graduated within the last 12 months (so if you were planning on waiting until next year to graduate so that you can get an even bigger signing bonus, think again).
5. Chevron
- 5. Chevron
If you’re looking for a sign-on bonus from one of the biggest companies in America, check out Chevron. It offers $5,000 for new grads or experienced hires (within 12 months of graduation) who are hired into a full-time position.
It’s not just employees who benefit from this perk: The company also offers its employees up to $50 per month to help pay off student loans while they work with them so they can get ahead on their debt sooner.
6. Cisco Systems, Inc.
Cisco Systems, Inc. is a multinational technology conglomerate based in San Jose, California. Cisco Systems offers a sign-on bonus of $5,000 to new graduates and is one of the largest employers in this field. The company has an excellent reputation for being supportive and encouraging employees to achieve their goals; they also have a perfect benefits package, including tuition reimbursement of up to $12,500 per year and 401(k) matching.
7. ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips offers $5,000 to new grads hired on or after January 1, 2020. You must be employed for six months to receive the bonus and remain with the company for 12 months. The dividend will be paid out as a check after your employment anniversary date passes.
8. Dell Technologies
Dell Technologies offers a $2,000 signing bonus for new grads. The company also provides a $2,500 signing bonus for experienced hires and a whopping $5,000 signing bonus for experienced hires in specific locations.
The company also offers a $2,500 signing bonus for experienced hires and a whopping $5,000 signing bonus for experienced hires in specific locations.
9. Deloitte
Deloitte is one of the top consulting firms in the country, and they’re no strangers to offering sign-on bonuses to new hires. In addition to a $2,500 signing bonus for all recent grads, Deloitte will offer a $5,000 signing bonus for select cities and a $10,000 signing bonus for select cities.
10. Marriott
Marriott’s sign-on bonus is $1,000 cash, paid in increments over 12 months.
As per Marriott: “Marriott International offers a $1,000 cash sign-on bonus to new associates who join the company as full-time employees. The bonus will be paid in three installments of $333 over the first three months of employment.”
To qualify, you must: 1) Be hired as a full-time employee and 2) Have completed your first 30 days of employment with Marriott International.
11. General Electric (GE) – Aviation
GE Aviation is a division of General Electric, which is a Fortune 500 company. GE Aviation has a $10,000 signing bonus for new grads. It’s the only company to offer such a big bonus among all companies on this list and has been offering it since February 2018.
GE Aviation makes jet engines—the kind that power commercial aircraft like Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s and Embraer E-Jets—and it’s the world’s largest maker of these engines. As you might imagine, from such an essential position in aviation history (and present), GE Aviation is looking for some serious talent to join their team: aerospace engineers, electrical engineers and software developers who want to work with cutting-edge technology every day
12. H-E-B Grocery Stores
If you’re looking for an exciting new job in Texas where you can get paid to shop, H-E-B Grocery Stores is the place for you. While it may not be as glamorous as being a professional soccer player or Instagram influencer, this grocery store chain offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus and referral bonus that might be worthwhile.
So what do these benefits look like? The $5,000 bonus is awarded after completing 90 days on the job. On top of this sweet deal, employees are also given perks such as discounts at local businesses and health insurance coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBS).
13. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., based in McLean, Virginia, will give you $5,000 if you work for the company. The bonus can pay down student loans or buy a car.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., which owns about 3,200 hotels and 621 timeshare properties in over 100 countries, is offering this sign-on bonus for new college graduates who have completed their degrees within the last year and those with less than six months of experience. It would be best if you were employed by Hilton as a full-time employee for at least 12 months before applying to receive your check after meeting other requirements listed below:
- You must have completed at least one semester of coursework toward an undergraduate degree during the calendar year before graduation (the month before your final semester).
- Another company cannot have employed you continuously since graduating from college or university (not including internships).
14. Hyatt Hotels Corporation
If you’re fresh out of college, Hyatt offers to pay you $2,000 if you work for them. The catch? You have to be a new graduate and live in the U.S., but considering how much money that’s worth, it’s not so bad.
To qualify for this sign-on bonus, candidates must have graduated within the past 12 months with an undergraduate degree and must agree to be employed by Hyatt Hotels Corporation (or any related subsidiary or subsidiary of such parent company) for one year after the employment commencement date.
15. IBM
IBM is a global technology and consulting company, so you can be sure they know what they’re doing regarding hiring. If you’re a new grad and want to join the team, IBM offers a sign-on bonus (in addition to competitive salaries) to help keep your finances on track while you learn the ropes of your new career.
The company also has offices in over 170 countries worldwide, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement beyond just your first few years at IBM.
UBS Group AG (UBS): Varies by country (up to $18,000) and job function. See details here.
UBS Group AG (UBS): Varies by country (up to $18,000) and job function. See details here.
Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (MSGS): Varies by job function. See details here and here.
Some companies that offer signing bonuses include JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, PwC, Deloitte and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.
Some companies that offer signing bonuses include JPMorgan Chase, Accenture and PwC
Here are the top companies offering signing bonuses to new grads:
- JPMorgan Chase: $20,000
- Accenture: $25,000
- PwC: $25,000
Here’s how you can apply for a new grad bonus at each company.
Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.: Varies by job function. See details here and here.
The two investment banks are known for offering quality sign-on bonuses, but the details vary by job function and location.
Morgan Stanley offers two types of bonuses: an initial year bonus and a deferred year bonus. The initial year bonus is paid to new associates in their first year on the job and ranges from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on where you work—that’s $7,500 per month! The deferred year bonus is paid out after your first full year at Morgan Stanley and will be equal to 100% of your base salary each month for up to 12 months; this one can go up as high as $125k if you’re working in a top tier city like New York City or San Francisco (although it’s more likely that you’ll get somewhere around $20K).
16. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMCC) – Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB) & Asset Management (AM) Businesses
- Bonus: $5,000
- Eligible employees: New graduates in the U.S. who have accepted a full-time offer by July 31 and graduated within the past 12 months.
Conclusion
And that’s just a tiny sample of what’s out there. Many companies offer signing bonuses to new grads, but we know that not all of them are public about it. So if you’re looking for more options, keep searching!