The average hourly wage for bachelor’s degree level interns has increased each year over the past 10 years and now stands at $23.04, according to NACE’s 2025 Guide to Compensation for Interns & Co-ops.
However, when adjusted for inflation, interns’ average hourly wage is down 1.1% from 2015 to 2024. (See Figure 1.)
Benefits offered to interns and co-ops are limited. More than four out of five respondents provide social activities, and more than half offer paid holidays, but most don’t offer other benefits. (See Figure 2.)
NACE’s 2025 Guide to Compensation for Interns & Co-ops provides wage and benefits data to help organizations address this critical piece. The guide is based on data provided by the employers that responded to NACE’s 2025 Internship & Co-op Survey and reflects wage and benefits provided to interns/co-ops as of summer 2024. Employer organizations that participate in NACE’s annual internship/co-op program survey can access the full report in MyNACE.
Kevin Gray is an associate editor at NACE. He can be reached at 
