14 Summer Jobs in NYC for High School Students
Summer jobs can help you build professional experience, strengthen your resume, and explore potential career interests while still in high school. Whether you work in business, technology, healthcare, education, retail, or the arts, a summer job allows you to develop practical skills that can support future internships, college applications, and long-term career goals. Many positions also help you improve communication, teamwork, leadership, and time-management abilities while giving you first hand exposure to professional environments.
If you’re more interested in summer internships, then check out a list of free programs here! Or if you’re more interested in looking at STEM-based offerings, you can see a list here!
What Summer jobs are available for high school students in NYC?
New York City offers high school students access to a diverse range of summer jobs across industries such as finance, media, healthcare, technology, public service, retail, hospitality, and the arts. Because NYC is home to major global companies, cultural institutions, startups, and government organizations, students can find opportunities that align with both academic interests and future career goals. Popular summer roles include camp counselor positions, museum internships, youth employment programs, research opportunities, retail jobs, and customer service roles, along with more specialized internships in STEM, business, journalism, and public policy.
To make your search easier, we narrowed this list of 14 summer jobs in NYC for high school students. New York City offers one of the widest ranges of youth employment opportunities in the country, with programs hosted by museums, startups, nonprofits, government agencies, universities, and major corporations.
Key takeaways
This list rounds up 14 summer jobs and internships for NYC high schoolers, spanning city government, museums, biotech labs, and professional services firms, with standout hosts including the Met, MoMA, the American Museum of Natural History, and CLA.
Nearly all of these are paid or stipended, ranging from around $600 up to $2,000, with a citywide employment program serving thousands of students each summer as one of the most accessible entry points on this list.
Two of the entries here aren't quite built for current high schoolers; one requires already holding a diploma and not being enrolled in school, and another is primarily aimed at college and graduate students, so it's worth reading eligibility closely before assuming every listing fits.
All of these are based in or around New York City, with a few extending eligibility to nearby parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, and none offering a virtual option except Ladder.
A couple of the earliest deadlines fall in November and December for two science and engineering-focused programs, with several more clustering into March, so it's worth starting applications well before the new year.
1. Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer employment program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Large-scale citywide program serving thousands of students annually
Program Dates: Summer program
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: NYC residents ages 14–24 who are legally allowed to work in New York City
The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the largest youth employment program in the United States, giving New York City students access to paid summer jobs, career exploration opportunities, and professional development experiences. Through the program, you can explore different industries and career pathways while building practical workplace skills in structured project-based or job-based environments. Students ages 14–15 primarily participate in paid, project-based learning experiences that focus on teamwork, community engagement, and career awareness, while participants ages 16–24 gain direct work experience through placements across industries throughout NYC. Depending on your placement, you may work with nonprofits, government agencies, community organizations, educational programs, or private employers while developing communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort — Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program gives you the opportunity to work directly with high-growth startups across industries such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, health tech, journalism, consulting, and marketing. During the internship, you will collaborate with startup managers and founders on real-world projects that contribute to active company operations and long-term business goals. Because the program is highly selective, participating can strengthen your resume and demonstrate initiative, independence, and professional experience on college applications. Ladder’s partner startups are often rapidly growing companies with strong funding backgrounds, allowing you to gain exposure to entrepreneurial work environments and emerging industries.
3. The Met High School Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY
Stipend: $1,100 stipend upon completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective application-based program
Program Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–11 or students pursuing a High School Equivalency who live and attend school in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
The Met High School Internship Program gives you the opportunity to explore careers in museums, arts, media, and cultural institutions while gaining paid professional experience at one of the world’s most well-known museums. During the internship, you will work in small cohorts and connect directly with museum professionals across departments such as curatorial studies, education, social media, imaging, and design. Depending on your placement, you may help support exhibitions, contribute to creative projects, assist with educational programming, or learn how museums engage with audiences both in person and online. The program combines hands-on departmental work with career-readiness development through cohort check-ins, mentorship, networking opportunities, and collaborative learning experiences.
4. Apollo Theater Academy Arts & Entertainment Production Internship
Location: New York City, NY (The Apollo Theater)
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective application-based program
Program Dates: April 21 – May 21 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00–6:00 PM, plus special event dates)
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: New York City residents in 12th grade who can attend the full program schedule and mandatory orientation sessions
The Apollo Theater Academy Arts & Entertainment Production Internship gives you the opportunity to explore careers in arts administration, live production, and entertainment within one of New York City’s most iconic cultural institutions. Throughout the internship, you will learn how live and recorded productions are developed and managed while collaborating with peers and Apollo staff. A major component of the program involves helping to create a concept for Teen Takeover, The Apollo’s signature summer youth event, and allows interns to receive an official production credit for their contributions. In addition to hands-on project work, you will gain insight into arts administration, event coordination, creative production planning, and entertainment industry operations.
5. Student Historian Internship Program – The New York Historical
Location: New York City, NY (The New York Historical)
Stipend: $700 stipend upon successful completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 25 interns per cohort
Program Dates: July 7 – August 13 (meeting Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 AM–4 PM)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February; final selections announced by May 8
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 who live in and attend school in the New York City metropolitan area, including parts of New Jersey and Connecticut
The Student Historian Internship Program at The New York Historical gives you the opportunity to conduct in-depth historical research while developing skills in digital media, writing, and public scholarship. During the internship, you will work with museum and library resources to research a central historical theme and create digital projects designed to educate the public. The program combines academically rigorous research with practical experience in digital humanities, allowing you to strengthen historical analysis, communication, and creative storytelling skills. Throughout the internship, you will collaborate with fellow students and meet with museum professionals to learn more about careers in history, museums, archives, and digital humanities.
6. NYC Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship opportunities through NYC government agencies
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive citywide internship program with placements across multiple agencies
Program Dates: Summer program lasting up to 13 weeks
Application Deadline: Internship postings begin updating in February
Eligibility: Primarily open to undergraduate and graduate students; select opportunities may be relevant for graduating high school seniors entering college
The NYC Summer Internship Program (SIP) provides students with hands-on experience working across New York City government agencies while developing professional and public service skills. Through the program, interns are placed in departments such as transportation, environmental protection, law, housing, finance, public safety, technology, and city administration, allowing participants to explore a wide range of government and policy-related careers. Depending on your placement, you may assist with administrative projects, communications work, research assignments, data analysis, public outreach initiatives, or operational support tasks connected to city services. In addition to workplace experience, SIP includes opportunities for professional development, training, and exposure to civil service career pathways within New York City government.
7. MoMA Teen Programs
Location: New York City, NY (Museum of Modern Art)
Cost/Stipend: Free programs
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective and open-enrollment opportunities depending on the program
Program Dates: Offered throughout the year with seasonal sessions and recurring events
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: New York City teens interested in art, design, film, and creative fields
MoMA Teen Programs give high school students the opportunity to explore contemporary art, creative expression, and museum-based learning through hands-on workshops, collaborative projects, and internship-style experiences. Hosted by the Museum of Modern Art, the programs allow you to connect with artists, museum educators, and other teens from across New York City while learning more about creative industries and artistic practices. Depending on the program, you may participate in studio art workshops, film discussions, exhibition-based projects, or behind-the-scenes experiences that introduce you to museum operations and contemporary art spaces. Programs such as In the Making and Open Art Space emphasize experimentation, collaboration, and creative exploration while helping students develop technical and communication skills.
8. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple U.S. locations, including New York City offices
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship with stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective program with limited cohort sizes by office
Program Dates: Mid-June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–18
The CLA High School Internship Program gives you early exposure to careers in accounting, finance, auditing, and professional services through hands-on experience at a national firm. During the internship, you may contribute to projects involving financial analysis, audit preparation, tax-related tasks, and business operations while learning how professional accounting and consulting teams support clients. The program combines technical skill development with structured mentorship, allowing you to work alongside industry professionals and gain insight into corporate work environments. In addition to project work, you will have opportunities to connect with experienced professionals who can provide guidance on career pathways in finance, accounting, and business services.
9. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY (Genspace and partner locations)
Stipend: $2,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive application-based program
Program Dates: Spring Session: February 25 – May 21; Summer Session: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: Applications open November 1
Eligibility: NYC public and charter high school students ages 16+ who can commit from February through August
The Biorocket Research Internship Program gives high school students the opportunity to conduct hands-on biological research while learning modern genetic engineering and laboratory techniques in a real lab environment. Throughout the six-month program, you will work alongside scientist mentors and fellow students to design and contribute to a collaborative summer research project focused on biology and biotechnology. You will gain practical laboratory experience while developing technical skills connected to genetic engineering, experimental design, and scientific problem-solving. Along with research training, the program offers science communication workshops, improv-based activities, lab tours, and field trips, giving students exposure to biotechnology careers and research institutions throughout New York City.
10. BioBus Junior Scientist Internship
Location: Harlem and Lower East Side, New York City, NY
Stipend: Paid hourly internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive application-based program
Program Dates: Summer Session: July – August; School Year Session: October 1 – June 15 (weekly meetings)
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school and college students in New York City interested in science research and education
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship gives high school students the opportunity to gain hands-on scientific research and teaching experience while working alongside professional scientists and educators. During the program, you will receive mentorship from research scientists while developing laboratory skills, conducting independent or collaborative research projects, and learning how to communicate scientific concepts to younger students. In addition to research training, interns also co-teach BioBus educational programs, helping strengthen science communication, leadership, and public engagement skills. Depending on your placement, you may participate in projects related to biology, microbiology, environmental science, or public health, such as the NYC Virus Hunters initiative.
11. Train & Earn Program
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free workforce development and career training program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Provider-based enrollment program
Program Dates: Varies by training provider and industry pathway
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment through participating providers
Eligibility: NYC residents ages 16–24 who are not currently in school or employed, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and are authorized to work in the United States
The Train & Earn Program helps young adults in New York City prepare for long-term employment through industry-focused workforce training and career development support. Operated through the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the program connects participants with training providers that offer certifications and skill-building opportunities in high-demand industries. Depending on the provider and pathway you choose, you may receive training connected to fields such as healthcare, technology, skilled trades, business services, hospitality, or other growing sectors. In addition to technical instruction, the program emphasizes employability skills, career readiness, and workforce preparation designed to support sustainable employment outcomes.
12. Science Communication Internship Program (SCIP)
Location: New York City, NY (American Museum of Natural History)
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 stipend upon successful completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive application-based program
Program Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: NYC high school students currently in 10th grade who meet academic and program participation requirements
The Science Communication Internship Program (SCIP) at the American Museum of Natural History gives high school students the opportunity to learn how to communicate scientific concepts to public audiences in a museum setting. During the internship, you will work directly in exhibition halls and interactive learning spaces, helping visitors engage with scientific ideas through conversations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities connected to the museum’s collections. SCIP focuses on science communication and public engagement, teaching students how to explain complex scientific topics clearly while interacting with visitors from diverse backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will receive training in audience engagement, communication strategies, and museum education while developing confidence in public speaking and collaborative teamwork.
13. Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)
Location: Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Botanic Garden)
Cost/Stipend: Tier-based reimbursement ranging from $600–$800; Tier 4 apprentices earn $17/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 12–14 apprentices accepted per tier
Program Dates: March–November, with intensive summer programming from July 7–August 14
Application Deadline: Applications open in October
Eligibility: NYC high school students entering grades 9–11; Tier 4 reserved for returning apprentices
The Garden Apprentice Program (GAP) at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden gives high school students the opportunity to explore urban agriculture, environmental education, and public engagement through a long-term paid apprenticeship experience. Over the course of the nine-month program, you will participate in hands-on gardening activities, environmental education workshops, horticulture projects, and leadership development experiences while working alongside fellow apprentices and garden educators. Depending on your tier placement, you may grow and harvest produce in the Children’s Garden, facilitate educational activities for younger children, conduct science research, design public educational exhibits, or mentor newer apprentices. The program emphasizes teamwork, communication, leadership, and environmental stewardship while helping students develop practical skills connected to botany and sustainability
14. Hk Maker Lab
Location: New York City, NY (in partnership with Columbia Engineering)
Cost/Stipend: Free program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive application-based program
Program Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: NYC public or charter high school students currently in grades 10–11 (graduating in 2027 or 2028) who meet educational or economic disadvantage criteria
Hk Maker Lab is a hands-on engineering and health innovation program designed to help high school students explore STEM and technology careers through project-based learning. The five-week program combines the first three weeks of Columbia Engineering’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) with a two-week Hackathon for Health Equity, where you will develop creative solutions to healthcare and community challenges. Throughout the program, you will gain experience in engineering design, app and website development, collaborative problem-solving, and technology-driven innovation while working with peers and mentors. Because the program is hosted in partnership with Columbia Engineering, participants receive access to advanced STEM learning opportunities that are often difficult to access at the high school level.
Questions students often ask about these jobs
1. Do I need prior work experience to apply to these summer jobs?
No, most of these are designed as first jobs and don't expect prior work history. A strong application, relevant interests, and reliability matter more than past experience for most listings here.
2. A couple of these programs seem to target older students or recent graduates. Should current high schoolers still apply?
For most listings, yes, since they're built specifically for current high schoolers. A couple of entries here are geared more toward college students or graduates, so check the eligibility section closely before applying to those specific ones.
3. Are any of these summer jobs open to students living outside New York City?
A few extend eligibility to nearby parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, so it's not strictly limited to NYC residents across the board. Most, however, do require being based in or able to commute into the city regularly.