As of summer 2024, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Guide to Compensation for Interns & Co‑ops reports that the national average hourly wage for bachelor‑level interns is $23.04 per hour. At Parker Dewey, we fully support NACE’s stance that fair pay isn’t only ethical but also essential for attracting a diverse and motivated pool of early-career talent. Based on this benchmark, we recommend budgeting compensation for Micro-Internships to equate to $20-25 per hour.
Offering fair compensation is more than compliance; it drives better engagement, performance, and long-term talent pipeline growth. To learn more about the risks and challenges of unpaid internships, check out NACE's “Unpaid Is Unfair” campaign here.