Boeing internship salary in 2026: pay by degree, discipline, and location
Boeing hires thousands of interns every summer across engineering, finance, IT, supply chain, and business functions. Compensation varies significantly depending on your degree level, academic discipline, and assigned location. Understanding the full picture — hourly rates, housing stipends, relocation support, and benefits — helps you negotiate effectively and plan your summer finances.
This guide breaks down Boeing internship salary data for 2026 using the latest figures from Boeing's official postings, Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, Indeed, and PayScale.
Salary by discipline
Boeing intern pay varies by functional area. Engineering and IT roles command the highest hourly rates, while business and supply chain roles pay slightly less. Here is the 2026 breakdown:
| Discipline | Hourly Rate Range | Annualized Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering | $28–$38/hr | $58,000–$79,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $27–$35/hr | $56,000–$73,000 |
| Electrical Engineering | $27–$35/hr | $56,000–$73,000 |
| Aerospace Engineering | $27–$35/hr | $56,000–$73,000 |
| Systems Engineering | $27–$34/hr | $56,000–$71,000 |
| IT / Cybersecurity | $26–$34/hr | $54,000–$71,000 |
| Product Security Analyst | $26–$34/hr | $54,000–$71,000 |
| Finance | $24–$32/hr | $50,000–$67,000 |
| Supply Chain | $22–$28/hr | $46,000–$58,000 |
| Quality Engineering | $24–$30/hr | $50,000–$62,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $24–$30/hr | $50,000–$62,000 |
| Business Operations | $22–$28/hr | $46,000–$58,000 |
| HR / Communications | $20–$26/hr | $42,000–$54,000 |
Levels.fyi reports the Boeing software engineer intern rate at $29.80/hr, mechanical engineer intern at $30.00/hr, and hardware engineer intern at $27.88/hr. These averages align closely with the ranges above.
Boeing's official posting for the IT/Digital Technology internship lists an annualized salary range of $43,000–$71,000. The finance internship posting lists $38,000–$64,000 annually.
Boeing's official postings list annualized salary equivalents, which can be confusing for a 10-week internship. Your actual gross earnings for the summer will be the hourly rate multiplied by 400 hours (40 hours/week for 10 weeks). A $30/hr intern earns approximately $12,000 gross over the standard 10-week program, not the $62,000 annualized figure that appears in the job posting.
Salary by degree level
Your academic level significantly impacts intern compensation at Boeing. Here is the typical pay progression:
| Degree Level | Hourly Rate (Engineering) | Hourly Rate (Business/Finance) |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore | $25–$28/hr | $20–$24/hr |
| Junior | $27–$31/hr | $22–$26/hr |
| Senior | $29–$34/hr | $24–$30/hr |
| Master's (1st year) | $32–$38/hr | $28–$34/hr |
| Master's (2nd year) | $34–$40/hr | $30–$36/hr |
| PhD Candidate | $36–$45/hr | N/A |
Boeing does not publicly disclose a formal pay scale by class year, but self-reported data from hundreds of Glassdoor reviews shows a clear progression. The 25th percentile for all Boeing interns sits at approximately $52,421 annualized, while the 75th percentile reaches $94,593 — reflecting the gap between entry-level business interns and advanced-degree engineering interns.
Returning interns (those completing a second or third Boeing internship) typically receive a modest pay bump of $1–$3/hr over their previous rate, reflecting increased experience and their demonstrated value to the organization.
Housing stipend and relocation
Boeing provides relocation assistance for interns who need to move for their assignment. The specifics depend on your distance from the assigned location and the specific business unit:
Housing stipend — Interns relocating more than 50 miles receive a housing stipend, typically ranging from $3,000–$6,000 for the summer. The amount varies by location (higher-cost areas like Seattle receive more than lower-cost locations like St. Louis).
Travel allowance — Boeing covers round-trip travel to and from your internship location. This typically includes airfare or mileage reimbursement for driving.
Furnished housing — Boeing does not directly provide furnished housing, but the housing stipend is intended to cover short-term rental costs. Many interns use the stipend for Airbnb, university summer housing, or shared apartments with other Boeing interns.
What the stipend actually covers — In practice, $3,000–$6,000 is tight for a 10-week summer in high-cost locations like Seattle, where studio apartments run $1,800–$2,500/month. Interns in the Puget Sound area often share apartments to stretch the stipend. In lower-cost locations like St. Louis, Charleston, or Mesa, the stipend covers housing more comfortably.
Connect with other Boeing interns through LinkedIn or the Boeing intern Slack channels (set up during onboarding) to find roommates. Many returning interns know the best housing options near each facility. In the Seattle area, consider Renton, Kent, or Tukwila for proximity to Boeing facilities at lower rental costs than Seattle proper. In St. Louis, Maryland Heights and Hazelwood are close to the defense campus.
Benefits during the internship
Boeing's intern benefits package is more comprehensive than many competitors:
Health insurance — Interns can enroll in Boeing's medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. Coverage begins on the first day of employment, which is a meaningful benefit for students who would otherwise need to remain on a parent's plan or purchase separate coverage.
Flexible spending accounts (FSA) — Available for both healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Health savings account (HSA) — Available if you enroll in a high-deductible health plan.
401(k) — Interns can contribute to Boeing's 401(k) plan. Boeing offers a 75% company match on the first 8% of salary, though vesting schedules may limit the match value for short-term interns.
Employee assistance program (EAP) — Access to counseling, legal assistance, and financial planning services.
Employee discounts — Boeing employees (including interns) receive discounts on travel, electronics, fitness, and other services through corporate partnerships.
Tuition assistance — Boeing's tuition reimbursement program (up to $15,000/year) is generally available to full-time employees rather than interns, but it is a significant benefit if you convert to a full-time role.
Paid time off — Interns typically do not accrue PTO in the traditional sense, but Boeing observes major holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day) as paid days off during the summer program.
How Boeing intern pay compares to competitors
Boeing's internship compensation sits in the middle of the aerospace industry — below SpaceX and Blue Origin but comparable to Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman:
| Company | Engineering Intern (Avg $/hr) | Housing Help | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing | $27–$35 | $3K–$6K stipend | Full health/401(k) |
| SpaceX | $30–$42 | None | Limited |
| Blue Origin | $28–$40 | $2K–$4K stipend | Health insurance |
| Lockheed Martin | $24–$34 | $3K–$5K stipend | Full health/401(k) |
| Northrop Grumman | $24–$32 | $2K–$5K stipend | Health insurance |
| L3Harris | $22–$30 | Varies | Health insurance |
| Raytheon (RTX) | $24–$32 | $2K–$4K stipend | Health insurance |
SpaceX and Blue Origin pay higher hourly rates but offer less relocation support and fewer benefits. Boeing's full health insurance coverage and 401(k) access add meaningful value, especially for interns who need medical coverage during the summer.
For a deeper look at SpaceX compensation, see our SpaceX internship guide. For Lockheed Martin, see the Lockheed Martin salary overview.
Salary by location
Boeing intern pay does not formally vary by location in the official pay bands, but self-reported data suggests modest differences based on cost-of-living adjustments:
| Location | Typical Engineering Intern Rate | Housing Stipend | Tax Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle / Everett, WA | $28–$35/hr | $4K–$6K | No state income tax |
| St. Louis, MO | $27–$33/hr | $3K–$4K | State tax ~5.3% |
| Arlington, VA | $28–$34/hr | $4K–$5K | State tax ~5.75% |
| Charleston, SC | $26–$32/hr | $3K–$4K | State tax ~6.5% |
| El Segundo, CA | $28–$35/hr | $4K–$6K | State tax ~9.3%+ |
| Mesa, AZ | $27–$33/hr | $3K–$4K | State tax ~2.5% |
| Huntsville, AL | $26–$32/hr | $3K–$4K | State tax ~5% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $27–$33/hr | $3K–$5K | State tax ~3.07% |
Washington state's zero income tax gives Seattle-based interns a meaningful take-home pay advantage. An intern earning $30/hr in Seattle takes home approximately 8–10% more than an identical rate in California after state taxes.
Maximizing your total compensation
Several strategies can help you maximize your Boeing internship earnings:
Apply for overtime-eligible positions — Some engineering intern roles are classified as non-exempt, meaning you earn 1.5x pay for hours beyond 40/week. During production ramp periods at facilities like Renton or Everett, overtime opportunities arise.
Negotiate the housing stipend — While hourly rates are generally non-negotiable for intern positions, you can ask about the housing stipend amount during the offer stage, especially if you are relocating to a high-cost area.
Return for multiple summers — Returning Boeing interns typically receive a pay increase of $1–$3/hr. A three-summer trajectory from sophomore to senior year can mean the difference between $25/hr and $33/hr.
Target higher-paying disciplines — If your degree qualifies you for multiple functional areas, note that software engineering and cybersecurity internships tend to pay at the top of the range.
Choose tax-advantaged locations — If you have a choice between locations, Washington state (no income tax) and Arizona (2.5% state tax) will maximize your take-home pay compared to California (9.3%+) or Virginia (5.75%).
Frequently asked questions
Are Boeing internships always paid?
Yes. All Boeing internships are paid positions. Boeing does not offer unpaid internships.
How many hours per week do Boeing interns work?
Standard schedule is 40 hours per week. Some positions may offer overtime opportunities, and the specific schedule (5x8 or 9/80) depends on the team.
Do Boeing interns get a signing bonus?
Boeing does not typically offer signing bonuses for intern positions. Signing bonuses are more common for full-time entry-level hires converting from the internship program.
When do Boeing interns get paid?
Boeing pays on a bi-weekly cycle. Your first paycheck typically arrives two to three weeks after your start date, depending on payroll processing timing.
Can I do a Boeing internship during the school year?
Boeing's primary internship program runs during the summer (May–August). Some locations offer part-time co-op arrangements during the academic year, but these are less common and typically arranged directly with individual teams.
How does Boeing intern pay compare to tech companies?
Boeing intern pay ($25–$45/hr) is below major tech companies like Google ($45–$55/hr), Meta ($45–$55/hr), and Amazon ($40–$50/hr). However, Boeing offers broader benefits including health insurance and 401(k) access, plus the housing stipend. For aerospace-specific roles, Boeing is competitive with the market. For software engineering, the tech industry pays more.
Does Boeing pay differently for interns at Millennium Space Systems?
Millennium Space Systems (a Boeing subsidiary in El Segundo, CA) follows Boeing's standard compensation structure for interns. Pay rates are comparable to other Boeing locations, though the housing stipend may be higher to account for Los Angeles area living costs.
Understanding Boeing's full compensation package helps you make an informed decision and plan your summer finances. Browse current Boeing openings on Zero G Talent and explore specific internship guides for finance, mechanical engineering, and software engineering.