10 Paid Economics Internships for High School Students

Exploring career interests is an important part of the high school journey. Internships are a fantastic way to develop practical skills, gain real-world experience, and build valuable connections without the high costs of summer courses and programs.

For students keen on economics and related fields, an internship provides hands-on exposure to economic research, industry insights, and data analysis. It gets even better as some prestigious organizations offer paid internships, allowing students to earn while gaining experience. These internships are highly sought after for boosting resumes, offering a glimpse into potential career paths, and providing networking opportunities with experts in the field.

To make it easier for you, we’ve curated a list of 10 paid economics internships for high school students. Let’s dive in!

1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid an hourly rate
Eligibility: A current high school junior or senior eligible to work in the United States
Application Deadline: January 15
Program dates: 8 weeks (from the end of your school year, including the week of July 17 – 24)

Every year, Bank of America connects 300 community-minded high school students for internship and employment opportunities. During the 8-week paid internship, you will be connected with non-profits like Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, where you’ll get first-hand experience serving communities.
You’ll spend the first 7 weeks working at your assigned non-profit, learning about its functioning and administration. In the final week, you will attend the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll witness how non-profits, governments, and businesses collaborate to serve local needs.  

2. KP Launch High School Program
Location: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center or business offices closest to your home address
Stipend: $23/hour
Eligibility:

• Be at least 16 years old by June 1

• Be a current junior or senior in high school

• Have a permanent residence in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente designated service area

• Be legally allowed to work in the United States

Application Deadline: Not specified. Applications typically open in November
Program dates: June 16 – August 1

Kaiser Permanente, a top insurance and healthcare provider, offers a seven-week paid internship program to high school students interested in exploring administrative and support careers in healthcare environments. The program offers experience in a variety of non-medical areas, including accounting, finance, actuarial, administration, communication, customer service, and more. Details of different career areas can be found here.
You’ll attend weekly workshops focused on personal and professional skills development, work-based activities, community service projects, and social events. You will also be offered networking opportunities that will help you gain insight into preparing for a healthcare career. 

3. Young Entrepreneurs Program
Location: Kansas City, MO
Stipend: $12/hour + $1,250 scholarship per session
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who reside in Kansas City, MO
Application Deadline: February 11
Program dates: June 2 – 27 (Session 1) | July 7 – August 1 (Session 2) | Students can participate in one or both sessions

The Young Entrepreneurs Program pairs selected high school students with local companies in the Midwest for internship opportunities. The hands-on summer program aims to develop entrepreneurial thinking among the students and empower them to make meaningful contributions within the community.
You’ll get a chance to interact and learn from professionals in various fields, including engineering, marketing, sales, finance, product management, and analytics. You can find detailed insights into the program and alumni experiences here. 

4. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid. Amount not specified
Eligibility:

• Current high school sophomore or junior

• Maintain a B or 3.0 average GPA

• Be a resident of the city of Chicago

• Have a family household income below $80,000/year

Application Deadline: TBA, but applications open on February 1
Program dates: Six weeks in the summer

Chicago Business Institute, founded in 1991, is a reputed program that introduces high school students to the financial services sector through paid summer internships. The program combines classroom learning with practical experience and includes workshops, seminars, practical projects, discussions, career development skills, and networking opportunities.
The program's alumni have gone on to work with Siebert Brandford Shank and Co., different departments at the City of Chicago, and more. They have also pursued economics and finance courses in universities across the country. Learn more about their experience here.

5. Port of Seattle High School Internships
Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility:

• Currently enrolled in high school or recently graduated from high school

• At least 16 years of age before the start of the internship 

• Authorized to work in the United States

Application Deadline: Applications open in May for summer and November for winter
Program dates: Varies

Port of Seattle provides high school students an opportunity to intern with reputed public organizations that are located at SEA Airport or along the Seattle waterfront. Internships are offered in different areas, including aviation operations, maritime operations, governance, community engagement, and green jobs.
As an intern, you’ll work on real-world projects that impact local communities and the regional economy. The program will teach the port’s code of conduct and communications technology, along with business skills like process improvement, project management, networking, leadership, public speaking, and diversity and inclusion. You’ll also participate in career awareness activities like mentorship meetings, facility tours, LinkedIn 101, and resume workshops. 

6. Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility: Individuals who are 14-24 years old and reside in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: March 6
Program dates: June 23 – August 1

Sponsored and managed by the DC Department of Employment Services, MBSYEP provides students with a summer employment experience by placing them in the public and private sectors. The six-week experience focuses on civic engagement opportunities, career exploration activities, and workforce and leadership development.
The program has a Pathways to Finance Grant, a six-week learning experience for high school students aged 16 to 18. As a participant, you’ll spend five weeks exploring careers and participating in internships in accounting, economics, international finance, and risk management. Following the internship, you’ll visit various universities across the country to observe professionals at top financial institutions.

7. On The Money High School Internship
Location: Virtual and in-person in Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility: High school students who reside in Chicago
Application Deadline: January
Program dates: January – May

Founded in 2007, On the Money (OTM) is an online publication run by teenagers for teenagers. It aims to improve financial literacy and impact entrepreneurship education. The internship program, which is conducted in collaboration with DePaul University’s Writing Center, invites high school students interested in writing economic, entrepreneurial, and financial articles. You’ll get to research and contribute articles for publication in the magazine. Additionally, you’ll gain skills in resume building, public speaking, financial literacy, interviewing, and writing. 

8. Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program (ELSIP)
Location: Austin, TX
Stipend: $13/hour
Eligibility:

• A rising sophomore, junior, senior, or current senior

• Currently enrolled in an Austin-area high school or residing in Austin

• Between 15 and 18 years old

Application Deadline: February 22
Program dates: June 1 – July 18

The Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program collaborates with the City of Austin, Bank of America, and the Quality of Life Foundation. This paid summer internship offers you the chance to gain work experience and develop leadership skills.
The program presents opportunities across various career fields, enabling you to be assigned to one that aligns with your interests and preferences. Additionally, you will participate in two educational field trips during the internship.

9. KPMG Future Leaders Program
Location: Varies
Stipend: Scholarship of $10,000 per year for four years of college
Eligibility:

• Be a high school female senior planning to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program

• Have a household income of up to $75,000

• Have a minimum of 3.5 cumulative GPA

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Application Deadline: February 1
Program dates: The summer before college

Though not a traditional internship, the KPMG Future Leaders Program is a distinctive work/learning experience. The initiative accepts 22 female high school seniors out of hundreds of applications for a chance to develop their personal growth through college experience in business and STEM fields.
You will receive a leadership development retreat, mentorship with an executive woman, peer mentorship opportunities, and an annual college scholarship. 

10. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older
Application Deadline: January
Program dates: June 17 – July 19

The CLA High School Internship Program is a four-week paid program that aims to develop the next generation of accounting and professional services talent. The program offers a deep dive into accounting, covering topics like financial analysis, tax preparation, and auditing.
During the internship, you’ll work on an interactive real-world case study while serving varied clients and industries. You will also get an opportunity to shadow professionals at different levels, observing and learning from them while they serve clients and make an impact in the community. Lastly, the program also includes team projects that offer insight into the CLA culture and community.