The highest-paying internships are often in tech, finance, and consulting. Companies like Stripe, Roblox, Meta, Amazon & Salefsorce offer internships with average monthly salaries exceeding $8,000. Financial firms like BlackRock and Goldman Sachs also rank high, offering competitive compensation and additional perks like housing stipends.
When it comes to finding internships, you’re probably looking for a few things in particular. Perhaps you want the chance to explore a unique career or the opportunity to hone a specific set of skills. One thing you shouldn’t overlook in your internship search, though, is your salary.
The right college internship can lead to a high-paying job after you graduate, especially if it’s paid. According to a 2019 Student Survey Report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), students who took unpaid internships received half as many job offers as those who took paid internships.
Paid internships are amazing, obviously, but why settle for minimum wage? If you want to gain valuable experience while raking in some serious dough, check out this list of the highest-paying internships in the country. *
*Data provided by Glassdoor
1. Facebook
Median Monthly Salary: $8,000
Facebook is constantly seeking talented interns and co-ops to join their software engineering team. However, be warned: The competition for these opportunities is insanely fierce. But that probably comes as no big surprise, given that it’s the highest-paying internship opportunity on this list.
Related: What Is the Difference Between a Co-op and an Internship?
2. Amazon
Median Monthly Salary: $7,725
Since Amazon has dipped its hands into many different industries, you’ll find a diverse range of high-paying internship opportunities on its website. Interested in applying for one of the largest and most powerful multinational companies? The multinational company gives out helpful tips on how to land an Amazon internship on their blog.
3. Salesforce
Median Monthly Salary: $7,667
Salesforce, a cloud-based software company, provides internship opportunities for both technical and non-technical backgrounds. While the tech-based roles are likely to pay more, you really can’t go wrong with any Salesforce internship. Along with a great salary, the company also offers perks like volunteer time off (VTO) and a social calendar full of networking events.
4. Google
4. GoogleMedian Monthly Salary: $7,500
While Google may not take the top spot on our list of highest-paying internships, they definitely make up for it in their internship perks. Google interns enjoy many of the same perks as regular employees, such as free rent, transportation, gym membership, massages, electronics, and much more.
Keep in mind that Google gets a high number of applications each semester. You can maximize your chances of getting accepted by putting together an awesome application. Check out these blogs to get some helpful pointers for writing cover letters and resumes for internships:
How to Write an Internship Cover Letter
5. Microsoft
Median Monthly Pay: $7,250
Microsoft has long had a reputation for being one of the best places to intern. In addition to offering competitive pay, interns get to work on products that actually matter (read: no coffee fetching or mindless busy work). Plus, Microsoft interns get tons of amazing perks, like free daily meals, transportation, and relocation benefits.
6. Uber
6. UberMedian Monthly Pay: $7,167
Perhaps one of your side hustles for college involved driving for Uber. But did you know that they have some of the highest-paying internships in the country? The rideshare company has tons of amazing internship opportunities for those majoring in business, software engineering, computer science, finance, marketing, and more. Intern perks include catered meals, a stipend for housing, and Uber credits for transportation.
7. Bloomberg L.P.
Median Monthly Pay: $7,000
Fancy working in fintech? According to several Glassdoor reviews, Bloomberg L.P. offers a welcoming and supportive place to work – on top of great pay. Although the fintech media company has mostly shifted to remote internships due to COVID-19, you can still gain valuable skills and networking opportunities through a virtual experience.
8. Capital One
Median Monthly Pay: $7,000
If you want to break into the finance industry, an internship at Capital One is sure to look amazing on a resume. The American bank has several internship programs that provide students with the opportunity to apply the skills they learned in the classroom to a real-world business setting. If you’re majoring in math, accounting, or finance, be sure to check out their Commercial Banking Program, which gives students an in-depth understanding of the banking industry.
Looking for more ways to flex your analytical skills? Find more internships for math majors on the Tallo blog.
Snag Your Dream Internship
We probably don’t need to tell you that all of these internships are ultra-competitive. That’s just a natural consequence of offering an amazing paycheck, as well as prestige. But that does NOT mean that these internships are out of your reach. As long as you meet their minimum qualifications, you have just as good of a chance of getting the internship as anyone else—so go for it!
Popular Questions
Below are common questions we get asked.
How do hedge fund internships compare to investment banking internships in terms of compensation and opportunities?
Hedge fund internships often offer higher compensation than investment banking internships. For example, Citadel pays interns $3,483 per week, equivalent to a $167,000 annual salary. In contrast, investment banking interns typically earn around $2,000 per week4.
However, investment banking internships are more numerous and can provide a stepping stone to hedge funds or private equity firms later in one’s career.
What strategies can undergraduate students in computer science use to secure high-paying software engineering internships at top tech firms?
Computer science students should focus on building a strong resume with relevant projects and hackathon experiences. Networking opportunities at career fairs and through alumni connections are important.
Students should also practice coding interviews and consider contributing to open-source projects. Targeting companies known for high compensation, such as Google or Microsoft, can lead to internships paying $7,000-$8,000 per month.
How can interns maximize the value of their internship beyond just the hourly wage or stipend?
Interns should look beyond the base pay and consider additional benefits. Some companies offer corporate housing or a housing stipend, which can significantly reduce living expenses.
Networking opportunities within the firm can lead to valuable connections and potentially a full-time offer. Interns should also focus on gaining insights into the industry and developing skills that will enhance their resume for future opportunities.
What are some lesser-known but high-paying internship opportunities in finance or technology that students often overlook?
While many students focus on well-known firms like Goldman Sachs, there are other lucrative opportunities. For example, Point72 Asset Management offers interns $2,688 per week.
In the tech sector, companies like SpaceX provide internships paying $5,000-$7,000 per month. Students should also consider fintech firms, which often combine high pay with exposure to both finance and technology sectors. Researching on platforms like Glassdoor can reveal hidden gems in the internship market.
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