GITNUXREPORT 2026

Internships Statistics

Internships are crucial for career success, offering higher employment odds and better pay.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Average hourly pay for interns is $20.50 in 2023

Statistic 2

42% of internships are unpaid

Statistic 3

Tech interns earn $35/hour on average

Statistic 4

60% of paid interns receive stipends over $5,000

Statistic 5

Consulting internships pay $30/hour median

Statistic 6

25% increase in intern pay since 2020

Statistic 7

Finance interns average $28/hour

Statistic 8

78% of Fortune 500 offer paid internships

Statistic 9

Average summer internship pay: $6,800 total

Statistic 10

Marketing interns earn $19/hour

Statistic 11

15% of interns receive housing stipends

Statistic 12

Engineering interns: $32/hour average

Statistic 13

Non-profits: 65% unpaid

Statistic 14

Big Tech intern total comp: $10,000/month

Statistic 15

52% receive relocation assistance

Statistic 16

Law internships: $25/hour median

Statistic 17

Healthcare interns: $22/hour

Statistic 18

Government interns: 40% paid at GS-3 level ($15/hour)

Statistic 19

33% get bonuses or signing incentives

Statistic 20

Arts internships: 70% unpaid

Statistic 21

Average benefits value: $1,200 per intern

Statistic 22

Remote interns earn 10% less

Statistic 23

MBA interns: $40/hour

Statistic 24

Journalism interns: $18/hour

Statistic 25

68% paid internships offer health benefits

Statistic 26

Education interns: $17/hour average

Statistic 27

45% receive meal stipends

Statistic 28

Architecture interns: $24/hour

Statistic 29

55% of paid interns get 401k contributions

Statistic 30

Environmental science: $20/hour

Statistic 31

20% pay gap between male/female interns

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58% of female students vs 62% males intern

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45% of interns are STEM majors

Statistic 34

Minorities comprise 42% of interns in 2023

Statistic 35

52% female interns, 48% male

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25% of interns are first-generation college students

Statistic 37

Urban interns: 70%, rural: 15%

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35% international interns in US programs

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Business majors: 30% of interns

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Gen Z (18-24): 95% of interns

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Low-income students: 28% intern rate

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Hispanic/Latino: 20% of interns

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Black/African American: 12% interns

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Asian American: 18% interns

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Community college interns: 22%

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LGBTQ+ interns: 10%

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Veterans: 3% of interns

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60% undergrads, 25% grads, 15% high school

Statistic 49

Northeast US: 35% interns

Statistic 50

California hosts 22% of internships

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Women in tech internships: 28%

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Older interns (25+): 5%

Statistic 53

Disabled students intern at 15% rate

Statistic 54

Humanities majors: 18% interns

Statistic 55

Social sciences: 22% interns

Statistic 56

65% white interns

Statistic 57

Midwest interns: 20%

Statistic 58

Public university interns: 55%

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Private school interns: 75%

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76% of Class of 2023 interns converted to full-time roles

Statistic 61

Interns are 3x more likely to get full-time offers

Statistic 62

91% of interns get job offers per Vault

Statistic 63

Paid interns 56% more likely to be employed post-grad

Statistic 64

70% retention rate for former interns

Statistic 65

Intern experience boosts starting salary by 15%

Statistic 66

82% of employers prefer candidates with internships

Statistic 67

Conversion rate in tech: 65%

Statistic 68

Interns have 2x faster hiring process

Statistic 69

44% of full-time hires come from internships

Statistic 70

Unpaid interns 10% less likely to get offers

Statistic 71

Finance conversion: 75%

Statistic 72

Long-term interns (6+ months) 80% hire rate

Statistic 73

60% of consulting hires from interns

Statistic 74

Internships reduce unemployment by 20%

Statistic 75

Top performers convert at 90%

Statistic 76

Remote interns 15% lower conversion

Statistic 77

Engineering: 70% to full-time

Statistic 78

55% of MBA full-time from internships

Statistic 79

Healthcare intern hire rate: 68%

Statistic 80

72% of hires had internship experience

Statistic 81

Intern alumni 40% promoted faster

Statistic 82

Non-profit conversion: 50%

Statistic 83

Salary premium for multiple internships: 25%

Statistic 84

65% of Gen Z hires via internships

Statistic 85

Law firm intern to associate: 60%

Statistic 86

Marketing: 58% conversion

Statistic 87

Govt hires 30% from interns

Statistic 88

Arts field: 45% hire rate

Statistic 89

50% of executives started as interns

Statistic 90

Internships improve job placement by 33%

Statistic 91

60.4% of Class of 2023 bachelor's degree graduates completed at least one internship

Statistic 92

52% of college seniors had internship experience in 2022

Statistic 93

65% of paid interns received full-time offers from their internship employer

Statistic 94

Only 1 in 4 internships are paid according to some surveys

Statistic 95

70% of interns are more likely to return to the same company

Statistic 96

In 2023, internship postings grew by 15% year-over-year

Statistic 97

56% of Gen Z students prioritize internships for career prep

Statistic 98

91% of internships lead to full-time employment if completed

Statistic 99

Internship participation among STEM majors is 72%

Statistic 100

Remote internships increased by 200% post-COVID

Statistic 101

43% of internships are in business fields

Statistic 102

College students average 1.5 internships

Statistic 103

78% of employers use internships as primary recruiting tool

Statistic 104

Internship applications surged 30% in 2023

Statistic 105

35% of interns are international students

Statistic 106

Public sector internships make up 12% of total

Statistic 107

62% of community college students participate in internships

Statistic 108

Tech internships grew 25% in 2023

Statistic 109

48% of liberal arts majors have internship experience

Statistic 110

Summer internships account for 65% of all internships

Statistic 111

55% of high school students seek internships

Statistic 112

Engineering internship rate is 80%

Statistic 113

40% of arts majors intern

Statistic 114

Non-profit internships: 8% of total

Statistic 115

67% of business students complete internships

Statistic 116

Healthcare internships up 18% post-pandemic

Statistic 117

29% of internships are virtual in 2023

Statistic 118

Finance sector: 22% internship share

Statistic 119

Average intern age is 21 years

Statistic 120

74% of top colleges require internships for graduation

Statistic 121

92% satisfaction rate among interns

Statistic 122

85% of interns recommend their program

Statistic 123

77% say internship improved skills

Statistic 124

40% cite mentorship as top benefit

Statistic 125

65% unhappy with workload

Statistic 126

88% value real projects over busywork

Statistic 127

72% satisfied with supervision

Statistic 128

Remote intern satisfaction: 68%

Statistic 129

55% want more training

Statistic 130

82% appreciate company culture exposure

Statistic 131

45% report discrimination issues

Statistic 132

90% of top programs have structured onboarding

Statistic 133

60% cite pay as dissatisfaction factor

Statistic 134

75% happy with networking opportunities

Statistic 135

Unpaid interns 50% less satisfied

Statistic 136

80% value diversity initiatives

Statistic 137

67% want flexible hours

Statistic 138

Tech intern NPS: 75

Statistic 139

70% report burnout

Statistic 140

85% satisfied with career development

Statistic 141

62% like team integration

Statistic 142

50% want better feedback loops

Statistic 143

Govt program satisfaction: 78%

Statistic 144

92% would intern again

Statistic 145

55% criticize lack of promotion

Statistic 146

Non-profit satisfaction: 82%

Statistic 147

75% value social impact

Statistic 148

68% report harassment concerns

Statistic 149

Healthcare intern satisfaction: 80%

Statistic 150

83% appreciate work-life balance efforts

Statistic 151

Engineering NPS: 72

1/151

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While a staggering 91% of internships lead directly to job offers, navigating the landscape requires understanding the critical realities—from the stark pay disparities to the surge in remote opportunities—that define this essential career launchpad.

Key Takeaways

60.4% of Class of 2023 bachelor's degree graduates completed at least one internship
52% of college seniors had internship experience in 2022
65% of paid interns received full-time offers from their internship employer
Average hourly pay for interns is $20.50 in 2023
42% of internships are unpaid
Tech interns earn $35/hour on average
76% of Class of 2023 interns converted to full-time roles
Interns are 3x more likely to get full-time offers
91% of interns get job offers per Vault
58% of female students vs 62% males intern
45% of interns are STEM majors
Minorities comprise 42% of interns in 2023
92% satisfaction rate among interns
85% of interns recommend their program
77% say internship improved skills

Internships are crucial for career success, offering higher employment odds and better pay.

Compensation and Benefits

Average hourly pay for interns is $20.50 in 2023
42% of internships are unpaid
Tech interns earn $35/hour on average
60% of paid interns receive stipends over $5,000
Consulting internships pay $30/hour median
25% increase in intern pay since 2020
Finance interns average $28/hour
78% of Fortune 500 offer paid internships
Average summer internship pay: $6,800 total
Marketing interns earn $19/hour
15% of interns receive housing stipends
Engineering interns: $32/hour average
Non-profits: 65% unpaid
Big Tech intern total comp: $10,000/month
52% receive relocation assistance
Law internships: $25/hour median
Healthcare interns: $22/hour
Government interns: 40% paid at GS-3 level ($15/hour)
33% get bonuses or signing incentives
Arts internships: 70% unpaid
Average benefits value: $1,200 per intern
Remote interns earn 10% less
MBA interns: $40/hour
Journalism interns: $18/hour
68% paid internships offer health benefits
Education interns: $17/hour average
45% receive meal stipends
Architecture interns: $24/hour
55% of paid interns get 401k contributions
Environmental science: $20/hour
20% pay gap between male/female interns

Compensation and Benefits Interpretation

While intern pay reveals a promising landscape in tech and finance, the pervasive reality of unpaid roles, especially in arts and non-profits, underscores a starkly two-tiered system where professional opportunity often still hinges on personal financial means.

Demographic Breakdown

58% of female students vs 62% males intern
45% of interns are STEM majors
Minorities comprise 42% of interns in 2023
52% female interns, 48% male
25% of interns are first-generation college students
Urban interns: 70%, rural: 15%
35% international interns in US programs
Business majors: 30% of interns
Gen Z (18-24): 95% of interns
Low-income students: 28% intern rate
Hispanic/Latino: 20% of interns
Black/African American: 12% interns
Asian American: 18% interns
Community college interns: 22%
LGBTQ+ interns: 10%
Veterans: 3% of interns
60% undergrads, 25% grads, 15% high school
Northeast US: 35% interns
California hosts 22% of internships
Women in tech internships: 28%
Older interns (25+): 5%
Disabled students intern at 15% rate
Humanities majors: 18% interns
Social sciences: 22% interns
65% white interns
Midwest interns: 20%
Public university interns: 55%
Private school interns: 75%

Demographic Breakdown Interpretation

While internship participation shows promising strides in gender parity and Gen Z dominance, the persistent gaps in STEM access for women, the underrepresentation of minority and low-income students, and the stark urban-rural divide reveal we're not leveling the playing field so much as building a better stage for the already-advantaged.

Employment Outcomes

76% of Class of 2023 interns converted to full-time roles
Interns are 3x more likely to get full-time offers
91% of interns get job offers per Vault
Paid interns 56% more likely to be employed post-grad
70% retention rate for former interns
Intern experience boosts starting salary by 15%
82% of employers prefer candidates with internships
Conversion rate in tech: 65%
Interns have 2x faster hiring process
44% of full-time hires come from internships
Unpaid interns 10% less likely to get offers
Finance conversion: 75%
Long-term interns (6+ months) 80% hire rate
60% of consulting hires from interns
Internships reduce unemployment by 20%
Top performers convert at 90%
Remote interns 15% lower conversion
Engineering: 70% to full-time
55% of MBA full-time from internships
Healthcare intern hire rate: 68%
72% of hires had internship experience
Intern alumni 40% promoted faster
Non-profit conversion: 50%
Salary premium for multiple internships: 25%
65% of Gen Z hires via internships
Law firm intern to associate: 60%
Marketing: 58% conversion
Govt hires 30% from interns
Arts field: 45% hire rate
50% of executives started as interns
Internships improve job placement by 33%

Employment Outcomes Interpretation

Consider the internship not merely a summer job, but the corporate world's most effective try-before-you-buy program, where proving your worth as a temp dramatically flips the odds in your favor for a faster, better-paid, and more secure career launch.

Internship Participation

60.4% of Class of 2023 bachelor's degree graduates completed at least one internship
52% of college seniors had internship experience in 2022
65% of paid interns received full-time offers from their internship employer
Only 1 in 4 internships are paid according to some surveys
70% of interns are more likely to return to the same company
In 2023, internship postings grew by 15% year-over-year
56% of Gen Z students prioritize internships for career prep
91% of internships lead to full-time employment if completed
Internship participation among STEM majors is 72%
Remote internships increased by 200% post-COVID
43% of internships are in business fields
College students average 1.5 internships
78% of employers use internships as primary recruiting tool
Internship applications surged 30% in 2023
35% of interns are international students
Public sector internships make up 12% of total
62% of community college students participate in internships
Tech internships grew 25% in 2023
48% of liberal arts majors have internship experience
Summer internships account for 65% of all internships
55% of high school students seek internships
Engineering internship rate is 80%
40% of arts majors intern
Non-profit internships: 8% of total
67% of business students complete internships
Healthcare internships up 18% post-pandemic
29% of internships are virtual in 2023
Finance sector: 22% internship share
Average intern age is 21 years
74% of top colleges require internships for graduation

Internship Participation Interpretation

While the path from intern to employee is well-trodden—with over half of graduates interning and a staggering 91% conversion rate to full-time jobs—it’s a shame that this crucial on-ramp to careers is still gated by the glaring inequity of unpaid work, creating a paradox where experience is both indispensable and, for too many, financially out of reach.

Program Quality and Satisfaction

92% satisfaction rate among interns
85% of interns recommend their program
77% say internship improved skills
40% cite mentorship as top benefit
65% unhappy with workload
88% value real projects over busywork
72% satisfied with supervision
Remote intern satisfaction: 68%
55% want more training
82% appreciate company culture exposure
45% report discrimination issues
90% of top programs have structured onboarding
60% cite pay as dissatisfaction factor
75% happy with networking opportunities
Unpaid interns 50% less satisfied
80% value diversity initiatives
67% want flexible hours
Tech intern NPS: 75
70% report burnout
85% satisfied with career development
62% like team integration
50% want better feedback loops
Govt program satisfaction: 78%
92% would intern again
55% criticize lack of promotion
Non-profit satisfaction: 82%
75% value social impact
68% report harassment concerns
Healthcare intern satisfaction: 80%
83% appreciate work-life balance efforts
Engineering NPS: 72

Program Quality and Satisfaction Interpretation

The stats paint a picture of a successful but deeply flawed system, revealing that while most interns ultimately emerge satisfied and would do it again, their journey is often marred by excessive workloads, spotty mentorship, and unsettlingly common reports of burnout and discrimination.

Sources & References

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