Highest-Paying Student Internship Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of student interns that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of student interns:

• Graduate Internship is the highest-paid type of student internship with an average salary of $52,511 and an average hourly rate of $25.25.

• The second highest-paying type of student internship is teacher internship, with an average salary of $48,398.

• The average student internship salary is $31,256 per year, and the average hourly pay is $15.03.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a student internship, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of student interns are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of student interns:

1. Graduate Internship

   Average Salary: $52,511

   A graduate internship is a short-term experience that oftentimes leads to a permanent position. The academic program allows graduates to experience different roles within an organization. This professional learning experience provides them with practical and meaningful work associated with their career interest or field of study. Many interns are hired by the company where they are working under an internship program due to their relevant work experience.

2. Teacher Internship

   Average Salary: $48,398

   Teaching interns are individuals who assist teachers and educators in the classroom. The interns are instructed to fulfill the tasks set out and provided by the supervisors for them. They take part in meetings and jot down their minutes. It is part of their job to conduct research at the request of the supervisor. They make updates to social media platforms and make posts. Also, they create images to be used in posts through different social media platforms.

3. Clinical Externship

   Average Salary: $35,831

   A clinical externship is a short medical student program directly mentored by professionals within their chosen career path in healthcare. Clinical externs work in various settings such as hospitals, a doctor’s office, or clinics and work directly with patients to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired in the classroom. They will be graded and must pass the program to be able to graduate from medical school. Externs must request a letter of recommendation from their site supervisor when applying for jobs.

4. Internship

   Average Salary: $35,254

   Interns are trainees who are engaged by a company to work for them for a brief period. Interns usually use this opportunity to gain actual work experience, fulfill university or college requirements, and ensure that they are working towards the right career path for them. They sign on for a fixed amount of time. The responsibilities of interns depend on the company and the department that handles them. They do a variety of tasks that exposes them to the type of work that the company is engaged in and to the different aspects of the professional world.

5. Instructional Assistant

   Average Salary: $32,170

   An instructional assistant’s role is to assist teachers and faculty members by performing various tasks. Their responsibilities will involve managing and monitoring the classroom environment, crafting visual aids and informative presentations, preparing laboratories and equipment, grading papers, recording data, and organizing schedules. An instructional assistant may also teach short courses when a teacher is not around, and provide tutorial sessions to small groups. Furthermore, they may also perform administrative tasks such as producing progress reports and necessary documentation, taking attendance, and responding to calls and correspondence.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various student internship that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Student Interns

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for student interns.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Student Internship Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid student internship job?

   The highest-paid student internship job is a graduate internship. Graduate Interns earn an average salary of $52,511, which is $ 25.25 hourly.

   A graduate internship is a short-term experience that oftentimes leads to a permanent position. The academic program allows graduates to experience different roles within an organization. This professional learning experience provides them with practical and meaningful work associated with their career interest or field of study. Many interns are hired by the company where they are working under an internship program due to their relevant work experience.

2. What is a good salary for a student internship?

   A good salary for a student internship is $31,256 or more. The average student internship salary is $31,256, so those making at least $31,256 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average student internship salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a student internship, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $31,256 average, as this includes all student interns of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Student Internship jobs pay well?

   No, student internship jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some student internship jobs pay better than others, but the average student internship salary of $31,256 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many student internship jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of student interns earning $0 a year on average.

   Student Interns’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a student internship. Do your research on the going rate for a student internship in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do student interns get paid the most?

   Student Interns get paid the most in Alaska. In Alaska, student interns earn an average annual salary of $46,851 and an average hourly wage of $22.52.

   Following AK, the states with the highest-paid student interns are Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont, with average annual salaries of $40,178, $36,586, and $35,687 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid student internship salaries are:

   1. Boston, MA – $40,314

   2. Seattle, WA – $39,060

   3. San Francisco, CA – $37,055

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.