"The only way to do great work is to love what you do—and get paid for it." – Steve Jobs
Let’s get straight to the point: Are engineering internships paid?
Most of the time, yes. In fact, engineering internships are among the highest-paid internships in any industry. But not all internships are created equal. Some companies offer generous salaries and benefits, while others only provide academic credit—or worse, expect you to work for free.
If you’re wondering how much engineering interns make, which companies pay the best, and how to avoid unpaid internships, this guide will break it all down for you.
Are All Engineering Internships Paid?
🔹 The majority of engineering internships are paid.
🔹 Software, aerospace, and energy internships tend to pay the most.
🔹 Some government and nonprofit internships may be unpaid but offer stipends.
🔹 University research internships sometimes offer academic credit instead of pay.
💡 Pro Tip: If a company offers an unpaid engineering internship, think twice. Unless it’s with a prestigious research program or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, your skills deserve compensation.
How Much Do Engineering Interns Make? (Salary Breakdown by Industry)
The amount you’ll earn as an intern depends on your field. Here’s a look at average engineering internship salaries across different industries:
Software Engineering
Rate: $35 - $50/hr
Companies: Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon
Mechanical Engineering
Rate: $20 - $35/hr
Companies: Tesla, Boeing, General Motors
Electrical Engineering
Rate: $22 - $40/hr
Companies: Intel, NVIDIA, Texas Instruments
Civil Engineering
Rate: $18 - $30/hr
Companies: AECOM, Jacobs, Bechtel
Aerospace Engineering
Rate: $25 - $45/hr
Companies: SpaceX, NASA, Lockheed Martin, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
Biomedical Engineering
Rate: $20 - $35/hr
Companies: Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson
Chemical Engineering
Rate: $22 - $40/hr
Companies: ExxonMobil, Dow, 3M
💡 Pro Tip: Many internships also include relocation stipends, housing benefits, and bonuses, so always check the full compensation package.
Top Companies That Pay Engineering Interns the Most
If you’re looking for the best-paying internships, these companies are known for their high salaries and competitive benefits:
1. Tech Companies (Highest Paying) 💻
These companies dominate internship salaries, especially for software engineers:
💰 Google – Up to $50/hr + perks
💰 Meta (Facebook) – ~$48/hr
💰 Amazon – ~$45/hr
💰 Microsoft – ~$45/hr
2. Aerospace & Automotive 🚀
Interns at these companies work on real-world engineering challenges:
🚀 SpaceX – $25 - $40/hr (varies by role)
🚀 Boeing – $28 - $38/hr
🚀 Tesla – $22 - $35/hr
3. Energy & Chemical Engineering 🔬
These companies offer strong internship salaries with full-time job prospects:
⚡ ExxonMobil – ~$35/hr
⚡ Chevron – ~$34/hr
⚡ Dow Chemical – ~$32/hr
4. Civil & Environmental Engineering 🌎
Interns in construction, environmental, and structural engineering earn slightly less but gain valuable experience:
🏗 Jacobs Engineering – ~$25/hr
🏗 AECOM – ~$23/hr
🏗 Bechtel – ~$24/hr
💡 Pro Tip: Tech, aerospace, and energy internships tend to pay the most, while civil and biomedical engineering internships typically pay slightly lower.
How to Find Paid Engineering Internships
If you’re aiming for a well-paid internship, follow these strategies:
1. Use the Right Job Boards
🔍 LinkedIn Jobs – Search for “paid engineering internships”
🔍 Nerd Werk – Best for student internships with salary filters
🔍 Glassdoor & Indeed – Check company salary reports for transparency
🔍 H1BGrader & MyVisaJobs – Useful for international students looking for sponsored paid internships
💡 Pro Tip: Apply to at least 20-30 internships—competition is fierce, especially for high-paying roles.
2. Apply to Fortune 500 & Big Tech Companies
Larger companies typically pay better and offer more benefits than small firms.
✅ Apply early! Many companies recruit interns 6-8 months in advance.
✅ Look for “Intern-to-Full-Time” roles—some companies pay more to interns who are potential hires.
3. Avoid Unpaid Internships (And What to Do If You’re Offered One)
Not all unpaid internships are scams, but you should be careful.
🚫 Avoid unpaid internships if:
- The company is for-profit and expects full-time work for free.
- The internship doesn’t provide valuable hands-on experience.
- There are better paid opportunities available.
🔹 What if an unpaid internship is your only option?
- Negotiate a stipend or travel reimbursement.
- Ask for part-time hours so you can work a paid job alongside it.
- Use it as a stepping stone—if the experience is valuable, do it briefly and leverage it for a better opportunity later.
4. Consider Research & Government Internships
Many research-based and government internships don’t pay as well as corporate roles but offer prestigious experience:
🏛 NASA Internships – Some are unpaid, but others provide stipends.
🏛 National Science Foundation (NSF) REU – Research-focused, often with stipends.
🏛 Department of Energy (DOE) Internships – Some paid positions available.
💡 Pro Tip: These internships are great resume builders, even if they don’t pay as well as industry roles.
How to Negotiate a Higher Internship Salary
You might think intern salaries are fixed—but some companies allow negotiation (especially in tech and finance).
1. Research Salary Data First
Use sites like:
📌 Glassdoor (Search for “Engineering Intern” + company name)
📌 Levels.fyi (For software/tech interns)
📌 LinkedIn Salary Insights
2. Ask Politely, But Confidently
🔹 How to phrase it:
"Thank you for the offer! I’m really excited about the opportunity. I noticed that similar internships in this industry typically offer [$X] per hour. Is there room for discussion on compensation?"
3. Consider Non-Salary Perks
If they won’t budge on salary, ask about:
✔️ Relocation stipend
✔️ Housing assistance
✔️ Transportation reimbursement
💡 Pro Tip: Negotiation works best at big tech & finance companies—smaller firms may have less flexibility.
Final Thoughts: Are Engineering Internships Paid?
Yes, most engineering internships are paid—and many pay very well. But not all internships are equal, so be selective!
📌 Tech, aerospace, and energy internships tend to pay the most.
📌 Avoid unpaid internships unless they provide serious value.
📌 Apply early and broadly—top-paying roles fill up fast.
📌 Don’t be afraid to negotiate—many companies have flexibility.
With the right approach, you can land a well-paid engineering internship that sets you up for long-term success.