Summer internships are no longer just resume builders. Some now pay more than full-time jobs. If you’re in college or recent graduate, this matters. You don’t just need experience—you need income too.
Many internships now offer over $8,000 per month. That’s more than $50 per hour. And the best part? You don’t need to be Ivy League to get in. You just need the right skills and a smart application strategy.
This list shows you the highest-paying internships in 2024, where they’re located, what they pay, and how to improve your chances of landing one.
Why These Internships Pay So Much
Companies know talent is expensive. The best students get multiple offers. To compete, top firms offer massive paychecks even to interns.
These roles aren’t just coffee runs. You’ll work on real projects—coding software, analyzing data, managing portfolios, or designing products.
At the end, many interns receive full-time job offers. That’s partly why these companies are willing to make such big investments upfront.
Highest-Paying Internships in 2024
This data is based on Glassdoor surveys and employer disclosures. These are company-wide averages, so your personal offer may vary depending on the location and department.
1. Stripe – $9,064/month
Stripe leads the list. This online payment infrastructure company reportedly pays interns over $9,000 monthly.
- Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
- Intern roles: Software engineering, product design, data analytics
- Perks: Flexible work, close mentorship, tight-knit teams
Stripe offers a startup culture with top-tier pay. Expect technical interviews focused on problem-solving and systems.
2. Roblox – $9,017/month
Gaming platform Roblox hires interns in engineering and design.
- Headquarters: San Mateo, CA
- Intern roles: Game engine intern, UX design, backend development
- Perks: Housing stipends, community events, stock options for return interns
Programming roles often focus on C++ and Lua, Roblox’s development language.
3. NVIDIA – $8,280/month
NVIDIA builds GPUs used in gaming, AI, and crypto. They pay their interns well and provide challenging projects in hardware and deep learning.
- Headquarters: Santa Clara, CA
- Intern roles: AI research, GPU hardware design, software engineering
- Perks: Real research experience, custom projects, heavy mentorship
You’ll need strong math skills and experience with C++ or Python. Prior research or published papers help.
4. Coinbase – $8,206/month
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase offers high pay and exposure to blockchain technology.
- Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
- Intern roles: Crypto engineering, compliance data, machine learning
- Perks: Remote flexibility, cryptocurrency education, rapid project cycles
If you enjoy Web3 and decentralized finance, this may be your top pick.
5. Meta (Facebook) – $8,160/month
Meta pays interns nearly the same as full-timers and offers them core responsibilities.
- Headquarters: Menlo Park, CA
- Intern roles: Software engineering, AR/VR development, product management
- Perks: Full-time conversion pipeline, intern housing, first-class meals
Practically all Meta interns work on user-facing features or infrastructure that will go live.
6. Amazon – $8,055/month
Amazon offers a broad mix of roles—from AWS cloud services to voice technology through Alexa.
- Headquarters: Seattle, WA
- Intern roles: Backend engineer, machine learning scientist, UX research
- Perks: Housing, intern summits, resume-building projects
Expect a fast pace and rigorous evaluations. Many interns report long hours even during summer.
7. Google – $7,809/month
Interning at Google still carries massive prestige, and it pays well too.
- Headquarters: Mountain View, CA
- Intern roles: Cloud platform, AI/ML, search infrastructure, design research
- Perks: Intern community, on-site cafes, access to top mentors
Google emphasizes cultural fit and problem-solving, not just raw GPA or big-name schools.
8. Capital One – $7,648/month
Capital One blends finance and tech through its internship programs. It focuses on software, cybersecurity, and data.
- Headquarters: McLean, VA
- Intern roles: Data science, risk analytics, cloud engineering
- Perks: Intern hackathons, mentorship tracks, east coast location benefits
A good fit if you’re interested in fintech and business strategy.
9. Bain & Company – $7,500/month
Consulting firm Bain hires interns into its Associate Consultant Internship program.
- Headquarters: Boston, MA
- Intern roles: Strategy consulting
- Perks: Travel opportunities, networking exposure, high chance of return offers
Prepare for case interviews. You’ll need problem prioritization, logical reasoning, and business insight.
10. LinkedIn – $7,360/month
LinkedIn offers internships in product, software, and marketing with a strong internal culture.
- Headquarters: Sunnyvale, CA
- Intern roles: Frontend dev, content strategy, data analysis
- Perks: Personal branding workshops, team-building retreats, real launch ownership
The company values internal referrals and soft communication skills more than many others.
Other High-Paying Internships You Should Know
- Apple – $7,000/month average. Hardware design, iOS apps, machine learning.
- Salesforce – $6,800/month. Cloud computing, customer success tools.
- Palantir – $7,500/month. Data security, national defense software.
- Netflix – $7,000/month. Engineering, UI/UX design, media analytics.
Tips to Land a High-Paid Internship
These roles are competitive. But you can stand out with the right approach. Here’s how to improve your odds.
- Build a real portfolio: Start projects. Share on GitHub or your own blog.
- Use referrals: Get your application seen by someone inside the company.
- Start early: Many top roles fill before December the year before.
- Keep your resume clear: Focus on metrics. Use action verbs. Avoid fluff.
- Practice interviews: Use platforms like LeetCode, Pramp, or CaseInterview.com
What Majors Lead to These Roles
Most top internships land in fields like:
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Applied Math
- Economics or Finance (Consulting roles)
- Design (for UX/UI roles)
Are These Internships In-Person or Remote?
It depends on the company. Many offer hybrid roles. Some are fully remote (e.g., Coinbase). Check during application.
Housing allowances are common—sometimes up to $2,000 monthly for interns coming from out of state.
When Should You Apply?
Apply as early as possible. Start looking in August and September—even if the internship begins the next summer.
Top programs close by November. Some give offers by Thanksgiving.
Can You Negotiate Your Intern Offer?
Usually no. These offers are standardized. But you may increase your chances for a return full-time role if you score top ratings during the internship.
Are These Internships Worth It?
If you want to break into tech, finance, or top consulting—yes. The network, pay, and prestige add up fast.
One summer could mean a six-figure job right after graduation. And even if not, you’ll graduate debt-free from just one summer’s work.
