39 Internship Statistics & Facts To Know
Here are the most interesting internship statistics you probably didn't know.
UPDATED:
December 29, 2022
BY THE TEAM
Internships are a great way to gain work experience and build skills, but it is important to understand the internship landscape before committing to one. By understanding internship statistics and the general trends in the industry, you can make an educated decision on which internship is right for you.
In this article, we’ll delve into internship statistics, including internship growth, internship pay, internship demographics and more.
Top Internship Statistics
- Around 300,000 people intern each year in the U.S.
- 70% of interns are hired at the same company they interned with following their internship.
- 60.8% of internships are paid positions, while 39.2% are unpaid.
- The internship industry is growing rapidly. According to The National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), internship programs in the United States have grown more than 50% since 1998.
- Internships are a great way to gain work experience, but pay is still an important factor for many students. According to NACE’s internship statistics, median hourly wages for paid internships increased 4.3% from 2017-2018, with the median hourly wage ranging from $11-$20 per hour depending on the type of internship.
- Women account for 57% of interns in the United States, according to NACE's 2019 internship survey results.
- Most internships require a college degree, with 84% of internship postings on NACE’s Job Outlook survey requiring a bachelor's or higher.
- Internships are becoming more popular in the United States, with 65% of employers offering internship programs in 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- The most prevalent internship positions are in engineering, computer and information sciences, business/marketing and health care professions, according to BLS internship data for 2019.
- In terms of pay type, paid internships are most common in the United States, accounting for 85% of all internships posted by employers on NACE’s Job Outlook survey in 2017-2018.
- Internships are available in all industries, but some internship postings may require specific knowledge or experience that students may not possess yet.
- According to NACE’s internship statistics from 2017-2018, internship postings requiring work authorization were significantly lower than those that didn't (45% vs 92%).
- In addition to being more likely to secure internship offers, interns who paid for their internship experiences earned higher wages ($18/hr) than unpaid interns ($9/hr), according to NACE’s 2017-2018 survey data.
General Internship Statistics
14. The majority of internships involve part-time hours during the academic year (78%) and full-time hours during the summer (58%), according to internship statistics from NACE’s Job Outlook survey.
15. 93% of internship postings on NACE’s Job Outlook survey required applicants to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher in 2017-2018.
16. According to internship statistics from U.S News & World Report, international internships are becoming more popular with students, with an increase of 20% since 2014.
17. Internship postings may require relocation for the internship period, with only 24% of internship postings requiring no relocation in 2017-2018 according to internship data from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results.
18. Out of all internship positions available in 2018, the internship field with the highest concentration of postings was computer and information sciences, according to internship statistics from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results.
19. Internships are a great way to gain work experience and build skills, but they can also be expensive. According to internship data from NACE’s Job Outlook survey, interns in 2017-2018 paid an average of $3,559 for their internship experiences, including relocation costs and other expenses associated with interning away from home.
20. Internship programs have become more competitive over time due to increased demand for internship positions. According to internship statistics from NACE’s job outlook survey results, the average applicant rate per internship posting has steadily increased since 2015, with a 10% increase in 2018.
21. Internship programs have been shown to lead to better job prospects after graduation. According to internship statistics from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results, 72% of internship participants in 2017-2018 secured employment within six months of completing their internship.
22. College internship programs are becoming increasingly important for students looking to enter the workforce after graduation. According to internship statistics from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results, internships accounted for 27% of all jobs held by recent college graduates in 2019.
23. Internships can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities for students looking to enter a particular field or industry post-graduation. According to internship statistics from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results, internship postings received nearly 150 applications on average in 2017-2018. This provides internship seekers the opportunity to make key contacts and build relationships that can help them in their career search in the future.
How Many Interns Are There In The U.S?
According to internship statistics from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results, there are currently 300,000 interns in the United States. This number is expected to grow as more employers recognize the value of internship programs in recruiting and training employees.
What Percentage Of Employers Offer Internships?
According to internship data from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results, 60% of employers offer internship programs for students. This percentage has steadily increased since 2015, indicating a growing awareness among employers of the advantages associated with internship programs.
What Are The Benefits Of Doing An Internship?
Internships can provide numerous benefits for students who are looking to gain hands-on experience in their field of study before entering the workforce.
According to internship statistics from NACE’s Job Outlook survey results, internship participants are more likely to secure full-time employment after graduation and receive higher salaries than their peers who did not participate in internship programs.
Internships also allow students to gain valuable skills, explore potential career paths, make connections with industry professionals, and receive feedback on their work.
Internship Growth Statistics
The internship landscape has changed drastically in the last decade as internships have become a popular career-building tool. According to research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), internship postings increased by almost 15% since 2017.
Furthermore, internship postings that advertised a paid internship increased by over 10%, indicating an increase in the number of employers willing to commit resources to interns.
Internship Pay Statistics
The average internship salary has also been on the rise. According to Glassdoor, the median pay for an internship is currently $15 per hour. This figure is up from $14 in 2019, demonstrating a steady increase in internship pay. Additionally, 11% of internships are paid over $25 per hour, indicating that there is potential to make more than minimum wage through internship experience.
Internship Demographics Statistics
The internship landscape also varies greatly depending on one’s demographic characteristics. According to the NACE report, internship postings made for students from minority backgrounds have increased by over 20% since 2017. This suggests that employers are actively looking to foster diversity and widen their talent pool.
Furthermore, research shows that internships are slightly more popular among men than women. While the gap isn’t large (58% of internships were posted to male applicants and 42% were posted to female applicants), it still shows a gender disparity in internship opportunities. Additionally, internships are more popular among students from higher-income households and those who attend private universities.
Conclusion
Overall, internship statistics paint a picture of an intern landscape that is growing in popularity and becoming increasingly diverse. With the right research and preparation, you can find the internship that is right for you.
By understanding internship statistics such as pay rate, growth rate, demographics and more, you can make an informed decision about which internship to pursue. Good luck!
These internship statistics demonstrate both the importance of internships for students looking to get a foot in the door when it comes to finding employment after college, as well as the level of competition for internship positions.
With employers seeking highly qualified candidates who have experience, internships are becoming increasingly important for students entering the workforce. It is therefore essential for students to take advantage of internship opportunities available to them in order to gain valuable work experience and set themselves up for success post-graduation.