The top 5 paying industries for Intern in United States are Legal with a median total pay of $96,341, Aerospace & Defense with a median total pay of $62,904, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology with a median total pay of $61,361, Human Resources & Staffing with a median total pay of $59,892, and Financial Services with a median total pay of $58,663.
The average salary for Intern is $73,364 per year or $35 per hour, with top earners making up to $129,009 (90th percentile). Typically, pay ranges from $55,023 (25th percentile) to $99,256 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 181135 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Intern employees.
The highest salary for Intern is $99,256 per year, $8,271 per month or $48 per hour.
The lowest salary for Intern is $55,023 per year, $4,585 per month or $26 per hour.
The salary trajectory of Intern ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $54,022 per year (estimate) and goes up to $134,853 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
The primary objective of most interns is to receive training and network within a firm, sometimes leading to a full-time job. Monetary compensation varies greatly by industry. On the low end of the range, some non-profit and political campaign internships are either unpaid or pay only a living stipend. On the high end of the range, some finance and law internships will pay the monthly equivalent of a six-figure salary. Unpaid interns can sometimes receive stipends to cover their basic expenses from scholarship funds at their schools.
Interns are just getting started in their chosen fields, but they count benefits such as work/life balance and advancement potential as perks of the job. When interns reflect on salary on Glassdoor, about 78% express satisfaction with their annual earnings.
Internships are taken prior to entry-level roles, so pay remains relatively steady over the course of an internship. There's a pay gap for interns based primarily on industry, location, and skill level, so those in the position can make anywhere between $42,550.99 and $129,009.06. The average intern takes home about $73,363.77 annually. The next step is to pursue an entry-level role in your chosen field.
The highest paid internships exist in the finance, tech, and consulting industries, so stay ahead of industry trends before pursuing a role. National or international corporations pay higher than local ones, and those working in metropolitan areas earn more than those in rural parts of the country. While industry, company, and location all impact intern salary, earn more by expressing your interest and passion for the position. Enthusiasm for the role, a willingness to learn, strong communication, asking questions, reaching out for help, and the ability to work well with others impact your salary as an intern. Likewise, those with more industry and job-specific skills are more valuable to employers.
Since you're starting from the bottom, you won't have as much leverage in intern roles, but your experience and enthusiasm can make all the difference. After a job offer, emphasize why you want to work for that specific employer, what you love about the industry and the role, and what you'll bring to the position that other interns will not. Likewise, use any competing job offers as leverage, explaining to prospective employers that while you've got a strong desire to work for them, another company has made you a higher offer.
How much does Intern make?
Total pay range
$55K - $99K/yr
$73K/yrMedian total pay
Pay breakdown
$40K - $71K/yrBase pay
$15K - $28K/yrAdditional pay
How accurate is a total pay range of $55K-$99K/yr?
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About our data
Last updated Apr 10, 2025181.1K Salaries submitted
