Spotlight for Career Services Professionals
Spotlight for Recruiting Professionals
The average hourly wage for bachelor’s-level interns has increased steadily since 2014. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, that is the case again this year, according to results of NACE’s 2021 Internship & Co-op Survey Report.
The overall average hourly wage for interns is up $1.22 this year, reaching $20.76. It is the highest hourly wage reported for interns. (See Figure 1.)
The fields of study with the highest average hourly wages for bachelor’s-level interns in 2021 are computer science ($23.39), math/statistics ($23.34), actuarial science ($23.30), and engineering ($23.17).
The 2021 Internship & Co-op Survey Report explores key aspects of employers’ internship and co-op programs, including hiring projections, conversion and retention rates, compensation data (wages and benefits), recruiting strategies, and information about program structure. This report also includes historical analyses of the data. Data collection took place from December 9, 2020, to February 5, 2021. There were 227 NACE member respondents, representing 25.7% of eligible member respondents. The survey was also distributed to nonmember companies from which an additional 39 responses were received. The 2021 Internship & Co-op Survey Report is available in MyNACE.
Figure 1: Mean hourly wage rates for bachelor’s-level interns: 2011-21
| Year |
Hourly Wage Rate |
| 2021 |
$20.76 |
| 2020 |
$19.54 |
| 2019 |
$19.05 |
| 2018 |
$18.73 |
| 2017 |
$18.06 |
| 2016 |
$17.69 |
| 2015 |
$17.20 |
| 2014 |
$16.35 |
| 2013 |
$16.21 |
| 2012 |
$16.21 |
| 2011 |
$16.68 |
Source: 2021 Internship & Co-Op Survey Report, National Association of Colleges and Employers