15 Summer Jobs for High School Seniors
A summer job during high school adds measurable weight to college applications, gives you practical experience in a field you may want to pursue, and helps you build professional connections that can support you well beyond graduation. Employers and admissions committees recognize the initiative that summer employment signals, and a growing number of organizations, including federal agencies, major technology companies, and prestigious research institutions, have designed structured programs specifically for high school students.
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!
Why should you do a summer job as a high schooler?
Summer jobs for high school seniors span virtually every field, from biomedical research and computer science to government service, education, and the arts. With so many options available, identifying the right opportunities takes time and careful research. These programs offer mentorship, hands-on projects, and industry exposure at no cost to participants in many cases, making them among the most accessible ways to develop professionally before college.To help you get started, we’ve curated 15 summer jobs for high school seniors.
Key takeaways
This list rounds up 15 summer jobs and research programs for high school seniors spanning federal labs, universities, and major tech companies, with standout hosts including MIT, NASA, Microsoft, and multiple Department of Defense research labs.
Many of these are paid or stipended, with strong payouts like $7,500 at one genetics research institute and $4,000 to $4,500 through a Department of Defense apprenticeship program, while a few of the most selective research programs charge an application fee instead of offering pay.
Several of these are true paid positions rather than academic enrichment programs, which fits the "jobs" framing of this list well, and one government-focused internship offers a rare ground-level view of how federal offices operate day to day.
A couple of these are tied to a specific metro area or a tight radius around one research campus, while Ladder remains the only fully remote, location-independent option on the list.
The earliest deadline falls in early December for one of the most competitive research programs here, with several more clustering into January and February, so it's worth starting materials well before winter break if a research-heavy option interests you.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $75 application fee (waivable for financial hardship); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2.5% acceptance rate
Dates: 6 weeks during the summer; varies yearly
Application Deadline: Early to mid-December of your junior year
Eligibility: Current 11th graders (rising seniors); must be 16+; US and international students
RSI is among the most competitive summer jobs for high school seniors pursuing STEM research, with students selected from thousands of applicants across more than 70 countries each year. The program is run by the Center for Excellence in Education and hosted at MIT, where you are matched with faculty and researcher mentors working on original projects across biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering. The structure begins with an intensive first week of coursework in STEM foundations, followed by five weeks of full-time independent lab work with an assigned mentor. RSI is one of the few high school programs to conclude with a formal oral presentation and written research paper evaluated by working scientists, providing participants with a credentialed research output before entering college. Students are also connected to a global peer cohort that many participants describe as one of the most lasting professional networks they develop before university.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you work with a high-growth startup across a range of industries, including tech, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Ladder's partner startups are high-growth companies that have, on average, raised over $1 million, are backed by Y Combinator, and have founders who previously worked at companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Meta. You’ll work closely with your manager at the startup and a Ladder coach on assigned projects and present your work to the company at the end of the program. Financial aid has been awarded to more than 150 students to date, and Ladder actively encourages applications from students who would otherwise be unable to afford the program.
3. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Various Google offices
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipend varies by role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 12 – 14 weeks; dates vary by role
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by role
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors enrolling in a 4-year bachelor's program in CS or a related field; priority consideration for underrepresented groups in tech
Google's Computer Science Summer Institute introduces students to programming fundamentals in Python, algorithm design, and collaborative problem-solving through a structured, hands-on project. You will work in team settings, attend lectures from Google engineers and researchers, and build projects through a combination of guided exercises and independent work. The program was developed with underrepresented groups in tech in mind, including women, students from low-income backgrounds, and students of color, and those communities receive priority consideration. Beyond technical skills, you will develop an understanding of software development workflows and computing concepts at a level comparable to introductory college coursework.
4. NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Location: NIH campuses
Cost/Stipend: Monthly stipend (varies by individual lab or institute)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; positions available across multiple institutes
Dates: May 11 – August 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors; 18+; live within 40 miles of an NIH campus
The National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program is a good option among summer jobs for high school seniors seeking exposure to biomedical, behavioral, or social science research at the federal level. You will work directly with scientists and clinical researchers on active projects, contributing to data collection, experimental work, and analysis of results under the guidance of a Principal Investigator or lab mentor. After submitting an application through the NIH training portal, you are encouraged to reach out directly to PIs whose research aligns with your interests. Stipends are determined by each specific lab or institute and adjusted based on educational level.
5. Smithsonian NMNH High School Internship
Location: National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $5,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Current high school students, ages 15-18 (grades 9-12); must be able to commute to Washington, D.C.
The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History places interns on project teams with museum researchers, curators, and educators across areas including paleontology, anthropology, geology, zoology, and museum education. You will work two to three days per week directly with your supervisors on assigned projects, with one to two additional days structured around enrichment activities, including site visits, lectures, and museum programming. The internship provides students with direct exposure to how a major research institution operates, as well as the opportunity to develop skills in data collection, specimen handling, documentation, and scientific communication. The program concludes with a final presentation in which you will share your findings with museum staff, providing a structured experience for communicating research to a professional audience.
6. Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
Location: The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME
Cost/Stipend: $7,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort
Dates: May 30 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Graduating high school senior; 18+
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program places graduating high school seniors in research labs at one of the leading genetics and genomics research institutions. You work under the direct supervision of a JAX scientist on a project connected to the laboratory's core research areas, which include cancer biology, computational biology, aging, immunology, and precision medicine. The residential structure means participants are fully immersed in the scientific community on campus for the full duration, attending seminars, journal clubs, and social events alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. JAX alumni have gone on to publish peer-reviewed research and earn admission to leading graduate and medical programs, reflecting the depth of mentorship and scientific engagement the program provides. You will present your work at a formal research symposium at the end of the summer, contributing a scientific poster or talk to your record before entering university.
7. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None; OMNY card for NYC transit provided; need-based travel stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 32 students per cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: Current 11th or 12th graders; must be 16 or older; US citizens or permanent residents; preference for students from the New York City metro area
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program is one of the most selective summer jobs for high school seniors in biomedical and life sciences, placing students directly in active research labs at a biomedical research institution. You’ll work one-on-one with a Rockefeller University scientist for the full duration of the program, contributing to ongoing research rather than rotating through multiple labs or spending time in observation. Work spans fields including genetics, structural biology, biochemistry, immunology, and neuroscience, depending on the lab to which you are matched. The program concludes with a research symposium at which students present their findings, providing structured practice in university-level scientific communication.
8. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft campus, Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots per campus location
Dates: 4 weeks, dates vary
Application Deadline: Applications open in February; rolling review with interviews
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors enrolling in a bachelor's degree program, who live around Redmond, Washington, or Atlanta, Georgia, and who have completed pre-calculus, 16+
Microsoft's Discovery Program is a structured technology internship designed for graduating high school seniors planning to enter a bachelor's degree program in the fall. Participants work on technology projects, attend daily coding sessions, and engage in collaborative problem-solving exercises that expose them to software development and different business functions within the company. The structure emphasizes active contribution over observation, with interns working toward defined deliverables under the guidance of Microsoft mentors. Beyond the technical work, you will also attend sessions that provide exposure to career paths and team structures across the company's divisions.
9. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: AFRL sites across the US
Cost/Stipend: Stipend varies depending on academic level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 10 weeks, typically June – August
Application Deadline: January (tentative)
Eligibility: US citizens; at least 16 years old; currently enrolled high school students
The AFRL Scholars Program, administered by the Universities Space Research Association on behalf of the Air Force Research Laboratory, is a good option among summer jobs for high school seniors in STEM. It places you in paid research positions at active military research sites across the country. You’ll contribute to ongoing research projects in areas that include aerospace propulsion, cybersecurity, materials science, directed energy, and sensors, depending on the specific site and team. Work is conducted alongside AFRL scientists and engineers on projects directly connected to national defense research priorities. Students who participate gain documented research experience at a Department of Defense facility, a credential that carries particular weight for students considering careers in engineering, national security, defense research, or related federal fields. Some sites may require a background check process after an offer is extended, and you should plan for that step when scheduling your summer.
10. NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: None; housing, meals, and local transportation provided on-site for eligible participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Remote: early June – July 3; On-site: July 5 – 18
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school students with demonstrated interest in STEM; US students; must be able to attend the on-site component
The SEES High School Summer Internship Program is a collaboration between NASA and the University of Texas at Austin's Center for Space Research, offering students the opportunity to work alongside NASA scientists and industry experts on Earth science data projects. The program runs in two phases: a remote component during which interns work online with project mentors on data analysis and visualization tasks, followed by a two-week on-site residency at UT Austin. You’ll analyze NASA datasets, contribute to research outputs, and gain exposure to the tools and methods used in active Earth science research. The on-site component includes accommodations for scholarship recipients and some fee-based participants, making the residential experience accessible to students who are not local to Austin.
11. Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free (no tuition); stipend provided at closing symposium
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: Student application: February 5; school nomination: January 30
Eligibility: US citizens or permanent residents; currently in 11th grade (rising seniors); strong academic record in STEM required
The Simons Summer Research Program places high school students completing their junior year in active research labs at Stony Brook University for six weeks, directly ahead of their senior year. You will be embedded in a single lab for the full duration, contributing to the lab's faculty mentor's ongoing research in science, math, or engineering, rather than rotating or observing. The program concludes with a poster symposium in which you will present your findings, providing early exposure to scientific communication at the university level. Students can choose to live in on-campus housing or commute from home if local to Long Island. The program requires a school nomination in addition to a student application.
12. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Defense laboratories nationwide
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; placement across 38+ DoD laboratories
Dates: 8 weeks in summer (typically June - August; varies by lab)
Application Deadline: November 1 (for the following summer); applications open August 1
Eligibility: US citizens; at least 16 years old; completed at least Grade 9; currently enrolled in high school (graduating seniors are eligible)
SEAP, administered by the American Society for Engineering Education on behalf of the Department of the Navy, places high school students in eight-week paid apprenticeships at Department of Defense research laboratories. You will work alongside scientists and engineers on active DoD research projects in fields that vary by lab, including materials science, cybersecurity, oceanography, chemistry, and electrical engineering. Participants are selected based on academic achievement, personal statements, letters of recommendation, and alignment between their interests and available lab placements. The program spans more than 38 DoD laboratories nationwide, giving accepted students exposure to a wide range of scientific disciplines across different sites.
13. Sandia National Laboratories High School Internships
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, or Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend varies by location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots
Dates: 10-12 weeks in the summer; dates vary
Application Deadline: Rolling; apply early in the year
Eligibility: US citizen; at least 16 years old; currently enrolled high school student; GPA 3.0 or higher
Sandia National Laboratories is a federally funded research and development center operated under contract with the US Department of Energy, and one of the few sources of summer jobs for high school seniors at a national security research institution. You will work alongside Sandia researchers on engineering and science projects spanning nuclear security, renewable energy, climate resilience, microelectronics, and computer science, with specific assignments determined by departmental needs and your background. The program is structured as a formal internship with defined deliverables, regular supervisor check-ins, and professional expectations consistent with employment rather than coursework.
14. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $1,299 for 3 university credits (need-based fee waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students; minimum age 15 for some tracks, 16 for others; check program website for track-specific requirements
ASSIP at George Mason University places high school students directly in active GMU research labs across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. You work alongside faculty researchers on projects ranging from computational biology and environmental science to cybersecurity and physics, contributing to the lab's current work over the course of eight weeks. Among the more accessible summer jobs for high school seniors seeking structured research experience, ASSIP combines lab-based work with professional development workshops, scientific communication training, and a final research symposium. Participants who complete the program earn three transferable university credits from George Mason University, providing a tangible academic credential before submitting college applications. Need-based fee waivers are available for the program cost, and students who demonstrate financial need are encouraged to apply for support when submitting their application.
15. Congressional District Office Internship
Location: Congressional district offices nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Typically unpaid; some offices offer a small stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by office; small cohorts
Dates: Summer session; typically June - August (check individual offices)
Application Deadline: Typically February - April; varies by representative's office
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible; requirements vary by office
Congressional district office internships are among the most distinctive summer jobs for high school seniors interested in public policy, government, law, or civic engagement. Members of Congress maintain district offices in their home states, and many of these offices accept high school interns during the summer to assist with constituent services, research, and general operations. Day-to-day work can include answering constituent inquiries, compiling policy research, attending local government meetings, and supporting outreach and communications efforts. The experience provides a ground-level view of how elected offices function and how federal legislation intersects with community concerns. Requirements vary considerably from office to office, so you should contact your specific representative's district office directly to confirm all details.
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 entry points and don't expect prior work history. What matters more is a strong application, relevant coursework, and genuine interest in the field. A few of the most competitive research programs do favor students with some related experience, so check eligibility closely.
2. Some of these pay a stipend while others charge a fee. How should I weigh that difference?
Paid positions are worth prioritizing if income matters to your summer plans, but a few of the fee-based programs offer prestige, mentorship, or research credentials that can be hard to find elsewhere. Look for fee waivers if cost is a barrier, since several of these do offer them.
3. I'm not a senior yet. Can juniors still apply to any of these?
Yes, a few of these are open to rising seniors completing their junior year, so timing works out for some options. Others are strictly limited to graduating seniors, so it's worth checking each program's grade eligibility before applying.