GITNUXREPORT 2025

Internship Statistics

Internships increase employment prospects, skills, diversity, innovation, and leadership potential.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average age of interns is 20-22 years old, with a growing number of graduate students participating

Statistic 2

55% of interns work remotely, especially post-pandemic

Statistic 3

40% of internship programs are in technology and engineering fields

Statistic 4

Internships in healthcare have increased by 20% over the past five years

Statistic 5

About 45% of internships are in corporate sectors, 25% in non-profit, and 30% in government sectors

Statistic 6

Internships in green energy and sustainability sectors grew by 28% over five years

Statistic 7

The total number of internships in the U.S. reached over 1 million in 2022, a 12% increase from the previous year

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62% of internships are paid, with an average hourly wage of $16.88

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Companies that offer internships see on average a 15% increase in employee retention rates

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30% of interns are unpaid, mainly in non-profit and media sectors

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The median hourly pay for paid internships in the U.S. is approximately $15.50

Statistic 12

The average starting salary for interns entering full-time roles is around $55,000 annually

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73% of internship programs in the U.S. are paid, compared to 40% internationally

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Approximately 70% of students who complete internships receive at least one job offer afterward

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60% of employers believe internships are the most effective way to evaluate potential new hires

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Interns are 50% more likely to receive a full-time offer from their internship employer

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Students who intern are twice as likely to gain full-time employment after graduation

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80% of internship programs are targeted toward undergraduate students

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57% of college students participate in at least one internship during their studies

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65% of employers state that internship programs help develop future leaders

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48% of organizations believe interns help increase innovation within the company

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The gender split among interns is roughly 55% female and 45% male globally

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58% of internships are found through university career centers

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85% of employers believe internships are crucial to building future talent pipelines

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39% of internship programs are targeted toward minority students

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70% of internship participants believe it improved their professional network

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68% of internship positions are filled through online applications

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56% of interns report having a mentor during their internship, which significantly improves their experience

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The retention rate of companies with internship programs is 30% higher than those without

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54% of internship opportunities are targeted at students aged 18-22 years old

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49% of undergraduate students believe internships are essential for their career success

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Internships in digital marketing have grown by 35% over the past three years

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65% of internship coordinators report difficulty in finding enough qualified applicants

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20% of internship programs include international or exchange components

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85% of internship providers believe their programs help improve diversity and inclusion

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Approximately 55% of internship positions are offered in urban areas, with rural internships making up 15%

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67% of students with internship experience find it easier to secure postgraduate employment

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62% of graduate students participate in internships as part of their degree programs

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The retention rate for companies that hire interns full-time is approximately 75%

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75% of interns report gaining valuable soft skills such as communication and teamwork

Statistic 41

82% of students who intern say it helped clarify their career goals

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72% of interns report gaining concrete skills that make their resumes more attractive

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78% of interns say they would recommend their internship program to a friend

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44% of employers feel that internship programs could be improved with better mentoring structures

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66% of students prefer internships that offer hands-on experience rather than solely theoretical learning

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53% of internship hosts reported an increase in fresh ideas and innovations due to interns

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61% of interns do not receive formal training but rather learn on the fly, indicating a need for more structured onboarding

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70% of internship supervisors believe the experience makes students more job-ready

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The average duration of an internship is about 3 months

Statistic 50

The most common duration for a summer internship is 10-12 weeks

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Key Highlights

Approximately 70% of students who complete internships receive at least one job offer afterward
60% of employers believe internships are the most effective way to evaluate potential new hires
Interns are 50% more likely to receive a full-time offer from their internship employer
62% of internships are paid, with an average hourly wage of $16.88
Students who intern are twice as likely to gain full-time employment after graduation
80% of internship programs are targeted toward undergraduate students
57% of college students participate in at least one internship during their studies
Companies that offer internships see on average a 15% increase in employee retention rates
65% of employers state that internship programs help develop future leaders
The average duration of an internship is about 3 months
55% of interns work remotely, especially post-pandemic
75% of interns report gaining valuable soft skills such as communication and teamwork
40% of internship programs are in technology and engineering fields

Did you know that nearly 70% of students who complete internships land at least one job offer afterward, making internships not just a valuable experience but a proven pathway to career success?

Demographics

The average age of interns is 20-22 years old, with a growing number of graduate students participating

Demographics Interpretation

While the typical intern is still in their early twenties, the increasing presence of graduate students signals a shift towards more experienced, perhaps more ambitious, talent entering the internship arena.

Industry Trends and Sector Distribution

55% of interns work remotely, especially post-pandemic
40% of internship programs are in technology and engineering fields
Internships in healthcare have increased by 20% over the past five years
About 45% of internships are in corporate sectors, 25% in non-profit, and 30% in government sectors
Internships in green energy and sustainability sectors grew by 28% over five years
The total number of internships in the U.S. reached over 1 million in 2022, a 12% increase from the previous year

Industry Trends and Sector Distribution Interpretation

With over a million internships nationwide—driven by a surge in tech, healthcare, and sustainable sectors—it's clear that the modern internship landscape is evolving into a flexible, sector-diverse pipeline shaping America's future workforce amidst post-pandemic realities.

Internship Economics and Compensation

62% of internships are paid, with an average hourly wage of $16.88
Companies that offer internships see on average a 15% increase in employee retention rates
30% of interns are unpaid, mainly in non-profit and media sectors
The median hourly pay for paid internships in the U.S. is approximately $15.50
The average starting salary for interns entering full-time roles is around $55,000 annually
73% of internship programs in the U.S. are paid, compared to 40% internationally

Internship Economics and Compensation Interpretation

While nearly two-thirds of U.S. internships are paid with a modest average wage of $16.88, the promising boost in employee retention and a median starting salary of $55,000 suggest that investing in intern development is a wise move, even as many unpaid opportunities persist in non-profit and media sectors worldwide.

Internship Participation and Demographics

Approximately 70% of students who complete internships receive at least one job offer afterward
60% of employers believe internships are the most effective way to evaluate potential new hires
Interns are 50% more likely to receive a full-time offer from their internship employer
Students who intern are twice as likely to gain full-time employment after graduation
80% of internship programs are targeted toward undergraduate students
57% of college students participate in at least one internship during their studies
65% of employers state that internship programs help develop future leaders
48% of organizations believe interns help increase innovation within the company
The gender split among interns is roughly 55% female and 45% male globally
58% of internships are found through university career centers
85% of employers believe internships are crucial to building future talent pipelines
39% of internship programs are targeted toward minority students
70% of internship participants believe it improved their professional network
68% of internship positions are filled through online applications
56% of interns report having a mentor during their internship, which significantly improves their experience
The retention rate of companies with internship programs is 30% higher than those without
54% of internship opportunities are targeted at students aged 18-22 years old
49% of undergraduate students believe internships are essential for their career success
Internships in digital marketing have grown by 35% over the past three years
65% of internship coordinators report difficulty in finding enough qualified applicants
20% of internship programs include international or exchange components
85% of internship providers believe their programs help improve diversity and inclusion
Approximately 55% of internship positions are offered in urban areas, with rural internships making up 15%
67% of students with internship experience find it easier to secure postgraduate employment
62% of graduate students participate in internships as part of their degree programs
The retention rate for companies that hire interns full-time is approximately 75%

Internship Participation and Demographics Interpretation

While internship programs are often hailed as career launchpads—boasting a 70% conversion to job offers and a 75% retention rate—it's clear from the statistics that they're also critical breeding grounds for future leaders, innovation hubs, and diversity advocates, making them not just optional extras but essential investments in workforce development.

Internship Quality, Satisfaction, and Skills Development

75% of interns report gaining valuable soft skills such as communication and teamwork
82% of students who intern say it helped clarify their career goals
72% of interns report gaining concrete skills that make their resumes more attractive
78% of interns say they would recommend their internship program to a friend
44% of employers feel that internship programs could be improved with better mentoring structures
66% of students prefer internships that offer hands-on experience rather than solely theoretical learning
53% of internship hosts reported an increase in fresh ideas and innovations due to interns
61% of interns do not receive formal training but rather learn on the fly, indicating a need for more structured onboarding
70% of internship supervisors believe the experience makes students more job-ready

Internship Quality, Satisfaction, and Skills Development Interpretation

While most interns gain valuable skills and clarity on their careers, the data also reveals that nearly half lack formal training and could benefit from stronger mentoring, highlighting that practical experience alone isn't enough—structured guidance is essential to turn fresh ideas into career-ready professionals.

Program Structure, Duration, and Recruitment

The average duration of an internship is about 3 months
The most common duration for a summer internship is 10-12 weeks

Program Structure, Duration, and Recruitment Interpretation

While summer internships typically span 10-12 weeks, the average three-month stint suggests that students are often balancing valuable learning with the fleeting nature of seasonal opportunities.