15 Paid Internships for High School Seniors

For high school students, internships offer a closer look at how organizations function and how projects develop across different stages. They help you build practical skills, gain exposure to professional environments, and explore potential career interests before college. Working on projects enhances your resume and college applications, signaling initiative to admissions officers and employers.

Paid internships compensate you for tasks such as research assistance, data organization, or project coordination. They can give you a valuable head start in your career by offering experience and a stipend that you can use for future educational expenses. Internships can also help you understand the expectations and standards in professional settings. For students nearing graduation, they serve as an introduction to the pace and responsibilities of work life. 

The following list highlights 15 paid internships for high school seniors designed to provide meaningful work experience.

1. NASA Office of STEM Engagements (OSTEM) Internships

Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid based on their academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive; over 3,000 high school interns selected annually
Dates: Spring/Fall: 16 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who are U.S. citizens aged 16+ with a GPA of 3.0+

NASA Internship Programs introduce you to research and innovation across NASA centers in fields such as space science, engineering, computer science, and communications. You work alongside mentors on ongoing projects that support the agency’s missions, gaining exposure to how large-scale scientific and technical initiatives are planned and executed. The program includes both virtual and in-person placements across various NASA locations, with flexible schedules during summer, fall, or spring terms. You may assist with research analysis, data collection, design work, or communication projects, depending on your placement. Throughout the internship, you observe how multidisciplinary teams collaborate to solve challenges in aerospace and planetary research.

2. City Of Hope’s Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy

Location: Duarte, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 70 – 90 students
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | At least 16 years old before the internship starts

The City of Hope Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy places you in an active biomedical research environment for ten weeks. You join a lab team and contribute to an independent project under the guidance of scientists and research mentors. Your work may involve experimental design, data analysis, or scientific documentation, depending on your assigned lab. Alongside your research, you attend seminars and group discussions that introduce you to current topics in biomedical science. The program also includes sessions where participants share their findings with peers and faculty members.

3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Local nonprofits across eligible U.S. communities; includes a national summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid internship; all expenses covered for the D.C. summit 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; about 300 students selected annually across 100 communities
Dates: Eight-week internship, typically June–August; Student Leaders Summit: July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | Legally authorized to work in the U.S. | Cannot be a Bank of America employee or immediate family member, or have attended the program before

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week paid summer internship where you join a local nonprofit and work alongside professionals in service-oriented roles. You participate in a week-long national summit in Washington, D.C., where you meet peers from across the U.S. and engage in leadership training and cross-sector dialogues. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors who can legally work in the U.S. and meet other eligibility criteria. You take part in practical assignments tied to community service, teamwork, and nonprofit operations. The experience includes mentorship, networking, and exposure to how nonprofits, businesses, and government collaborate on community issues.

4. Austin Youth Initiatives Office Internships

Location: Austin, TX
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 40 – 70 students annually
Dates: June 2 –  July 11 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Typically late February
Eligibility: Rising and current 15-18-year-old high school sophomores, seniors, or juniors enrolled in an Austin-area high school, and who are Austin residents

The Austin Youth Initiatives Office offers paid seven-week internships for high school students, providing a choice of five specialized tracks—Emerging Leaders Summer, Get Ready! Summer, Aviation Department Summer, Austin Convention Center, and Automotive Internship. Each program combines hands-on professional experience with mentorship, skill development, and educational field trips. You build leadership abilities, explore potential career paths, and participate in community projects that promote civic engagement and personal growth. Through this well-rounded experience, you gain practical workplace exposure while contributing to local improvement efforts and preparing for future academic and professional success.

5. KP Launch High School Internship Program at Kaiser Permanente

Location: KP Oakland offices, as well as medical offices across Northern California
Cost/Stipend: $24/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 40 – 50 students
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students who live in the Northern California area between the ages of 16 – 19

Kaiser Permanente High School Summer Internship / Youth Employment Program is a paid summer opportunity that introduces you to careers in healthcare and hospital administration. You work part-time in medical offices or hospital departments, assisting with administrative tasks, project coordination, and community health initiatives. The program also includes structured workshops and training sessions that focus on workplace readiness and professional development. You collaborate with mentors and peers to understand how different departments contribute to patient care and organizational operations. Over the course of the internship, you gain practical exposure to healthcare environments while learning about the responsibilities involved in clinical and non-clinical roles.

6. NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)

Location: In-person (NIH campuses, including Bethesda, MD)
Stipend: Before graduation: $2,530; After graduation: $2,840
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by year and available PI funding
Dates: June – August (exact dates vary by placement)
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-February
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school seniors who will be 18 years old by June 1 and are U.S. citizens and permanent residents

The NIH High School Summer Internship Program places you in a full-time research group within the National Institutes of Health’s Intramural Research Program. Under the guidance of a Principal Investigator, you take part in ongoing projects in fields such as biology, chemistry, psychology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and engineering. Depending on your placement, your work may involve laboratory experiments, data analysis, or participation in clinical and behavioral studies. You also attend seminars and workshops focused on professional development, scientific communication, and research ethics. During the program, you can participate in the NIH Graduate and Professional School Fair and present your research during Summer Poster Day. 

7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: All 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands (placements within a 45-minute commute of the student’s home)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 – 45 students
Dates: 8 weeks during summer (flexible start and end dates)
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen; must be at least 16 years old by the internship start date

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), is an eight-week paid summer internship and mentoring experience for high school students. The program pairs you with a fisheries professional who provides experience through fieldwork, laboratory research, and community projects. Depending on the placement, you may conduct fish population surveys, test water quality, assist with habitat restoration, or participate in educational outreach. The program combines field exposure with mentorship, giving you the chance to understand ecological research, conservation efforts, and the role of fisheries management in sustaining aquatic ecosystems. Through this program, you will gain firsthand experience in scientific investigation while contributing to current environmental initiatives.

8. U.S. Senate Page Program

Location: Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Residence living cost is $1,200 per month, which is offset by an annual salary receipt of $37,238
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; only 30 Senate Pages are accepted each term
Dates: Summer Session I: June (3 weeks); Summer Session II: July (3 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically February – March
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors | Must be 16–17 years old at the time of appointment | Minimum 3.0 GPA and submit health documentation completed by a licensed physician and a certification of immunization | U.S. citizens or permanent residents

The U.S. Senate Page Program is a short-term appointment where you serve on the floor of the United States Senate in Washington, D.C., while attending classes each morning. You carry out daily duties such as delivering documents, preparing the Chamber for sessions, and coordinating with Senate staff to support proceedings. The program gives you a firsthand view of legislative operations, including how bills move and how senators and staff organise their work. You also live (for many sessions) in the official residence for Pages and take college-level honors courses through the Page School. 

9. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship

Location: In-person (New York City, NY)
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Summer Term: June – August; Fall/Spring Term: October – April
Application Deadline: Spring: August 31; Summer: late fall/early winter
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age or older | Have current working papers/employment certification at the time of application

In this internship, you contribute to ongoing projects within your assigned department, which may include conducting research, analyzing data, drafting briefings, managing inquiries, or assisting with events and outreach. The program also includes a bi-weekly Speaker Series held at City Hall, where you hear from senior officials such as Deputy Mayors and Commissioners about their roles and experiences. You take part in site visits to various city facilities to gain a deeper understanding of municipal operations. Another key component is a collaborative service project with NYC Service, where you design and implement initiatives that address community needs across the five boroughs.

10. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship

Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide, including Cambridge and Boston
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, varies by site
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; more than 300 interns across locations
Dates: 5 – 10 weeks; typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school students (or graduating seniors not attending college) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | Site-specific requirements may apply

The AEOP High School Apprenticeship is a paid summer opportunity for high school students to engage in research in the U.S. Army or partner university laboratories across Massachusetts. Over several weeks, you collaborate with scientists and engineers on advanced projects in areas like biotechnology, cybersecurity, materials science, and chemical or mechanical engineering. Through guided mentorship, you learn how scientific research drives innovation and technological progress. The program also features virtual workshops and career sessions led by the Rochester Institute of Technology, helping participants explore college options and future pathways in STEM-related fields.

11. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)

Location: Greater Seattle area
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies as per track and associated expenses; scholarships and financial aid are available for qualified students / Stipend up to $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 50 – 100 students
Dates: June – August (8 – 12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by year; typically, spring
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Spark SIP is a highly selective initiative connecting high schoolers with mentors from industry and academia for project-based work in STEM fields. You will be actively involved in workshops on skills like Python and data analysis, collaborating on real-world projects such as AI applications or biomedical engineering, and networking with industry professionals and university professors. A unique feature is the program’s focus on matching you with a specific sponsor project after a competitive application process, where some sponsors may offer a small stipend. Ultimately, you will develop essential technical knowledge in emerging technologies, alongside crucial professional skills like communication and problem-solving. 

12. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 16 students per session
Dates: 8 weeks in June – August
Application Deadline: Typically, late March
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are 16 or older and live in Greater Seattle or the surrounding areas

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is an eight-week paid internship for rising high school seniors interested in biomedical research. You begin with two weeks of laboratory training focused on safety procedures and experimental methods before joining a research team for six weeks of mentored work. During the internship, you contribute to ongoing scientific projects at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and attend seminars that introduce you to different areas of biomedical investigation. You also take part in professional development sessions that address topics like research communication and college preparation.

13. UW Botanic Gardens Youth Summer Internship

Location: Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $1,750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 20 – 30 students
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 – 18

In this program, you delve into the intersection of science, education, and community through hands-on environmental work. The internship blends outdoor learning at the Washington Park Arboretum with opportunities to build teamwork and leadership skills. You support ecological projects, assist in teaching children about nature, and engage with local sustainability and conservation organizations. Alongside these experiences, discussions with professionals from farms, universities, and environmental agencies reveal the diverse careers available in the field. By the end, you gain meaningful insight into how environmental efforts benefit communities and ecosystems while clarifying your own career and academic interests.

14. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)

Location: Virtual and East Baltimore, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: In-person: hourly wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 8 students selected for the in-person track
Dates: In-person: 8 weeks (June – August); Virtual: 5 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors | In-person track limited to Baltimore City public school students | Virtual track open to students across the U.S.

The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) introduces you to neuroscience and clinical research through a structured summer experience that can be completed either in person or virtually. In the in-person track, you spend eight weeks at the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology in East Baltimore, where you take part in research projects, observe clinical rotations, and attend scientific seminars led by faculty and researchers. You also join weekly professional development sessions and deliver a final presentation summarizing your findings. The program emphasizes understanding how neurological research connects to patient care and public health.

15. AFRL Scholars Program

Location: Various locations across the United States
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend between $501.60 - $805.60/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 60 interns
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December); Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May); Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August)
Application Deadline: Varies based on the AFRL sites and/or projects to which you are applying; Summer deadline is January 9
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students | U.S. citizens

The AFRL Scholars Program is a paid research internship where you work with scientists and engineers at Air Force Research Laboratory sites across the United States. You contribute to projects in areas such as aerospace systems, materials development, space technologies, and directed energy research. During the internship, you assist with experiments, data collection, and design work while observing how research is conducted in large-scale government laboratories. You collaborate with mentors who guide your technical work and introduce you to professional research practices. The program also includes opportunities for presentations.

Looking for an immersive internship experience?

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Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. Apply now!

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