Software Engineer Internship Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Engineer Internship make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Engineer Internship in the United States is $80,498 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Software Engineer Internship's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,116
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,882 to $86,580
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,859
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View as table View as graph 25% $73,882 10% $67,859 90% $92,116 75% $86,580 $80,498 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Engineer Internship Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $86,580 $7,215 $1,665 $42
Average $80,498 $6,708 $1,548 $39
25th Percentile $73,882 $6,157 $1,421 $36
Check out Software Engineer Internship Job Openings in the United States
Embedded Software Engineer

TekStream Solutions - Columbus, OH

Java Software Engineer

Pivotal Solutions - Lucas County, OH

Software Engineer Journeyman

Bering Straits Native Corporation - Dayton, OH

Search More Software Engineer Internship Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Software Engineer Internship Salaries

A Software Engineer Internship's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Engineer Internship Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineer Internship's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,051
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,016
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $126,163
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $145,971
  • Expert (over 8 years): $167,791
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Software Engineer Internship$80,051
Software ... Level Software Engineer Internship$103,016
Software ... Level Software Engineer Internship$126,163
Software ... Level Software Engineer Internship$145,971
Software ... Level Software Engineer Internship$167,791
$80,051 0 yr
$103,016 < 2 yrs
$126,163 2-4 yrs
$145,971 5-8 yrs
$167,791 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Engineer Internship Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software Engineer Internships. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $89,128.
  • California: $88,790.
  • Massachusetts: $87,606.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineer Internships

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $101,533
  • San Francisco: $100,534
  • Oakland: $98,305

What Skills Can Increase a Software Engineer Internship's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Python (Mentioned in 4.66% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.82%
Python 4.66%
Linux 2.71%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Software Engineer Internship's salary.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Code Review: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Kubernetes: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching
$97,403
21%
Code Review
$89,353
11%
Kubernetes
$89,353
11%
Project Management
$89,353
11%
API
$89,353
11%
AWS
$89,353
11%
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How Education impacts a Software Engineer Internship's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Engineer Internships enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Software Engineer Internship with a Bachelor's Degree is between $78,103 and $82,080).

Software Engineer Internship Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Engineer Internship
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.8%
Associates 2.5%
Bachelors 58.4%
Masters 34.0%
Doctorate 3.0%
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Software Engineer Internship Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineer Internship's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Software Engineer Internship

Salaries for a Software Engineer Internship can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $83,115 in 2023 to around $82,540 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Engineer Internship salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Engineer Internship Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$83,115
2024
$83,215
2025
$82,540
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $83,115
2024 $83,215
2025 $82,540
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Software Engineer Internship

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Engineer Internship

Here are companies hiring for Software Engineer Internship and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Software Engineer Internship Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Engineer Internship job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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