C
ClearView News

Do high school interns get paid?

Author

James Holden

Published Mar 14, 2026

Do high school interns get paid?

Internships can last from a couple of weeks to a year or even more, can occur at just about any time of year, and may be paid or unpaid. High school interns especially are often unpaid because they don't yet have required qualifications and are limited in the work they can do.

Considering this, can high schoolers get internships?

Many interns are offered full-time positions after graduating from high school or college, so some extra work now can be lucrative in the long run. In fact, in a survey of over 300 employers, 45% said that high school internships will “very likely” or “completely likely” turn into a full-time job at their company.

Secondly, do some interns get paid? The National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) reported that the average hourly wage for undergraduate interns rose from $16.35 in 2014 to $18.06 in 2017. With paid internships, students are typically paid weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or provided a stipend.

Similarly, you may ask, what are the best internships for high school students?

  1. Bank of America's Student Leaders Program.
  2. Microsoft.
  3. NASA.
  4. Student Research Internship Program at the Scripps Translational Science Institute.
  5. Aristotle Circle Marketing and Communications Internship.
  6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program.
  7. The Smithsonian.
  8. The Constitutional Rights Foundation.

How much do NASA high school interns make?

NASA Salaries

Job TitleSalary
Intern salaries - 135 salaries reported$17/hr
Intern - Hourly salaries - 39 salaries reported$17/hr
Summer salaries - 24 salaries reported$16/hr
Internship salaries - 18 salaries reported$16/hr

At what age can you get an internship?

If an organization has an age requirement, it's typically a minimum age. Some organizations accept interns age 16 and older, while others set the minimum at 18. In some fields, it may be downright unsafe to have children in the workplace, or a company's insurance company may forbid workers under a certain age.

Are internships harder to get than jobs?

So in some cases, landing an internship or externship can be easier than obtaining a permanent full-time job. That's because the hiring process is lengthier, more intensive, etc. But there can also be a lot of competition for the limited internships that are available.

Do Internships look good for college?

Internships and summer jobs can be difficult to obtain, but they're a great indication of interests and future aspirations. Both look impressive on an application and your work experience will make it easier to apply for jobs and pursue professional opportunities in your undergraduate career and beyond.

What is the best way to find an internship?

8 Ways to Find an Internship
  1. Start Your Search Early. iladendron/E+ / Getty Images.
  2. Identify Your Broad Career Interests. Decide what you want to do, but don't worry about being too specific.
  3. Network.
  4. Check Online Resources.
  5. Attend Career Fairs.
  6. Contact Employers.
  7. Become an Entrepreneur.
  8. Gain Experience as a New Graduate or Career Changer.

What's the internship?

An internship is an opportunity offered by an employer to potential employees, called interns, to work at a firm for a fixed period of time. Interns are usually undergraduates or students, and most internships last between a month and three months. An internship can be either paid or voluntary.

What are good jobs for high school students?

Here is our list of the best jobs for high school students:
  • Retail Associate.
  • Fast Food Employee.
  • Babysitter.
  • Dog Walker.
  • Front Desk Receptionist.
  • Busser.
  • Camp Counselor.
  • Deliveryperson.

Can you intern at Google?

Interns at Google are not guaranteed jobs, but they do have a good shot at getting full-time positions at the company. “We look at our intern program as the best source of full-time talent,” Ewing says, “and it is our hope that every intern who performs well will be able to find a full-time opportunity at Google.”

What do high school interns do?

An internship is a short-term job that allows the worker, or intern, to gain introductory experience in a certain profession. As an intern, you will work for a company or organization and gain hands-on and practical experience you can use for future jobs.

How much should I get paid for an internship?

A recent internship survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) offers some insight into what employers are paying interns for their work. The average hourly wage rate for a bachelor's degree intern is $16.26. Generally, the closer to the terminal degree, the higher the internship wage.

How do high school students do research?

There are two main ways through which high schoolers can seek out research positions. You can either apply to a designated research program, or you can reach out to researchers and/or faculty of academic institutions on your own. There are two main ways through which high schoolers can seek out research positions.

What are the best summer programs for high school students?

List of the top summer programs for high school students
  • Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP)
  • Anson L.
  • Notre Dame Leadership Seminars.
  • Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
  • Research Science Institute (RSI)
  • Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES)
  • Simons Summer Research Program.

When should you apply for a summer internship?

And if you want a summer internship, you should start looking in October of the year prior (just to make sure the company you are interested in doesn't have super early deadlines). The bigger companies often have very early summer deadlines. Mid-sized companies usually have either February, March, or April deadlines.

Can you get an internship before college?

Internships are a great way to start gaining real-world experience, determine a possible career path for the future and boost your resume. Not to mention, you may even have the opportunity to make some extra cash, if you find a paid internship!

How do you get research experience in high school?

The easiest way to get started is to do some networking. Ask your parents or other mentors if they have any contacts at local universities or scientific laboratories who might be able to point you in the right direction. Also check with teachers at your school.

Is it illegal to have unpaid interns?

Unpaid internships are legal if the intern is the "primary beneficiary" of the arrangement. This is determined by the seven-point Primary Beneficiary Test. If an employer is the primary beneficiary, the intern is considered an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act and entitled to minimum wage.

Are interns worth it?

Despite the low pay, internships are worth it in the long run if you want to get your foot in the door and figure out your future. Most people think the point of an internship is to serve coffee or run mindless errands. Internships offer a great sneak peak into a possible career path.

Why Unpaid internships are bad?

Abuse of unpaid interns has occurred. Unscrupulous businesses see an opportunity for free labor and a reduction in staff costs, and they present a profit-making (currently salary-paying) role to a person looking for intern experience.

How long is a internship?

The length of paid internships can be one academic term, 6 months, or even up to an academic year, but the duration should be agreed upon by both the student and the employer early in the process. Internships should never be indefinite or ongoing.

How many hours do interns work?

During the school year interns usually commit between 10 and 20 hours a week. In the summer interns may commit up to 40 hours a week, especially if the internship is paid. Some capstone or practicums have requirements of 240 hours total.

Are internships paid or unpaid?

Unpaid Internship Laws

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 states that any employee of a for-profit company must be paid for their work. While the FLSA does not consider interns employees, the intern must be the primary beneficiary of the arrangement for an internship to be legal.

What internships pay the most?

8 Highest-Paying Internships
  • 1. Facebook. Median Monthly Salary: $8,000.
  • Amazon. Median Monthly Salary: $7,725.
  • Salesforce. Median Monthly Salary: $7,667.
  • Microsoft. Median Monthly Pay: $7,250.
  • Bloomberg L.P. Median Monthly Pay: $7,000.
  • Capital One. Median Monthly Pay: $7,000.

Why you should pay your interns?

With some internships paying $4,000-8,000 a month, interns are more motivated to treat a paid opportunity like the real job that it is. A paid internship also gives employers more flexibility in assigning projects, and provides interns with ownership over their work and motivation to take risks.

What is needed for internship?

Organizations may require a formal application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, two or three letters of recommendation, as well as an essay on why you're interested in interning for the company or some other related question. Not all internships have the same requirements.

How hard is it to get NASA internship?

NASA interns are paid to do real, challenging work under the supervision of a mentor. You need to have decent grades, and show that you're passionate about what you do. If you have the skills to express yourself in this way, then it's easy. If you don't, it's a bit harder.

Are NASA interns paid?

Interns receive a stipend. The stipend amount varies based on academic level.

Does NASA take interns?

Explore NASA Internships

Internships are available from high school to graduate level. Internships provide students with the opportunity to participate in either research or other experiential learning, under the guidance of a mentor at NASA.

What does spacex pay interns?

SpaceX Salaries
Job TitleSalary
Intern salaries - 80 salaries reported$28/hr
Intern - Hourly salaries - 77 salaries reported$27/hr
Vehicle Engineering salaries - 25 salaries reported$27/hr
Associate Engineer salaries - 22 salaries reported$5,760/mo

How much do NASA astronauts make?

Astronauts' annual salaries are determined using a government pay scale, and starting out, typically fall under two grades: GS-12 and GS-13. According the US government's 2020 pay scales and a NASA job listing, a civilian astronaut in 2020 can earn between $66,167 and $161,141 per year.

Does NASA provide housing for interns?

While NASA does not provide housing, we will provide you sufficient time and options to locate housing. Pathways Interns will have the opportunity to work at one of NASA's many locations around the country, called centers.

Does NASA have a dress code?

NASA's 10 centers throughout the country have relaxed dress codes, Brown said. But employees in the Washington, D.C., headquarters often attend meetings in the White House or on Capital Hill, and they usually dress in suits. "NASA has relaxed its dress code for quite some time," Brown said.

How can I get into NASA?

The agency's basic requirements are a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics, followed by three years of professional experience (or 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft). Candidates also must pass NASA's astronaut physical examination.