How much does an Intern make?

The average salary for an Intern is $54,350 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 143624 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Intern employees in United States.

The highest salary for an Intern in United States is $73,123 per year.

The lowest salary for an Intern in United States is $40,762 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Intern or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Intern.

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.

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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 77% 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 $31,522.92 and $95,264.10. The average intern takes home about $54,349.85 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.