Lockheed Martin internship salary in 2026: monthly pay, benefits, and program details
The Lockheed Martin internship salary in 2026 ranges from roughly $3,800/month for freshman-level business interns to $6,600/month for PhD-level engineering interns. These figures are based on Lockheed's hourly rates ($22-$38/hr) multiplied by a standard 40-hour work week. Lockheed interns don't work overtime, and the 9/80 compressed schedule means every other Friday off.
Lockheed Martin hires approximately 4,000 interns annually across Aeronautics, Space, Missiles and Fire Control, and Rotary and Mission Systems. The internship program is structured, well-organized, and functions as the primary talent pipeline for full-time hiring. Here's what the monthly earnings actually look like, what additional compensation you receive, and how Lockheed compares.
Monthly salary by education level
Converting Lockheed Martin's hourly intern rates to monthly salary (40 hours/week, roughly 173 hours/month):
| Education Level | Hourly Rate | Monthly Salary | Summer Total (12 wk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman (1st year) | $22-$25/hr | $3,800-$4,330 | $10,560-$12,000 |
| Sophomore (2nd year) | $23-$27/hr | $3,980-$4,680 | $11,040-$12,960 |
| Junior (3rd year) | $25-$29/hr | $4,330-$5,020 | $12,000-$13,920 |
| Senior (4th year) | $27-$31/hr | $4,680-$5,370 | $12,960-$14,880 |
| Master's student | $30-$34/hr | $5,190-$5,890 | $14,400-$16,320 |
| PhD candidate | $34-$38/hr | $5,890-$6,580 | $16,320-$18,240 |
The range within each education level reflects discipline — engineering and computer science interns earn at the top of each band, while business and communications interns earn at the lower end.
Lockheed Martin withholds federal and state income taxes from intern paychecks. For a junior engineering intern earning $5,000/month gross in Fort Worth, TX (no state income tax), take-home is roughly $4,000-$4,200/month after federal withholding and FICA. In California (Sunnyvale site), the same gross pays out around $3,700-$3,900/month. Tax brackets for summer-only income are favorable since annual earnings stay in the lower brackets.
Internship salary by discipline
Engineering disciplines command the highest Lockheed Martin internship salary. Monthly earnings for a junior-year intern:
Software engineering interns earn the most because Lockheed competes with tech companies for CS talent. Aerospace and mechanical engineering interns are close behind — these are Lockheed's core disciplines.
Three internship program types
Lockheed Martin offers three distinct tracks with different durations and compensation structures:
Summer Internship (10-16 weeks) — The most common program. Runs May through August. Full-time 40-hour weeks, hourly pay as shown above, plus housing stipend at some locations. This is what most people mean by "Lockheed Martin internship."
Co-op Program (alternating semesters) — Students alternate between full-time work at Lockheed and school semesters, completing 2-3 rotations over their college career. Same hourly rates, but with potential raises between rotations. Some co-ops qualify for limited benefits on longer rotations.
CWEP (College Work Experience Program) — Part-time work (15-25 hours/week) during the school year at a nearby Lockheed site. Lower total earnings but continuous experience and no relocation needed. Monthly pay ranges from $1,500-$2,800 depending on hours and rate.
Total summer compensation
For a junior engineering intern doing a standard 12-week summer program, total compensation includes more than just the hourly rate:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross pay (12 weeks at $27/hr) | $12,960 |
| Housing stipend (avg) | $3,500-$6,000 |
| Relocation travel | $500-$1,500 |
| Total pre-tax | $16,960-$20,460 |
| Take-home (after ~22% tax) | $13,000-$16,000 |
Housing stipends range from $2,500 to $6,000 for the summer depending on location. High-cost sites like Sunnyvale, CA receive larger stipends. Some locations offer corporate housing arrangements instead of a stipend. Availability varies — not all positions include housing support, so confirm with your recruiter.
Some Lockheed internships run 16 weeks instead of 12. The extra 4 weeks at $27/hr adds $4,320 to gross earnings and usually comes with extended housing support. If you have schedule flexibility, ask about extended programs during your interview — they exist at most major sites and are often available to strong candidates.
How Lockheed Martin internship salary compares
Monthly salary for a junior-year engineering intern:
| Employer | Monthly Salary | Housing | Weekly Hours | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin | $4,500-$5,020 | Stipend (some) | 40 | 70-80% |
| Northrop Grumman | $4,330-$4,850 | Stipend (some) | 40 | ~65% |
| Boeing | $4,160-$4,850 | Varies | 40 | ~60% |
| Raytheon / RTX | $4,160-$4,680 | Varies | 40 | ~55% |
| SpaceX | $5,200-$6,070 | Stipend | 50-60 | ~45% |
| Blue Origin | $4,850-$5,550 | Some sites | 45-50 | ~50% |
| NASA Pathways | $3,460-$4,160 | None | 40 | ~40% |
Lockheed's internship salary sits at the top of the defense contractor range. SpaceX pays $700-$1,200/month more but expects 50-60 hour weeks — on a per-hour basis, the effective rate is similar. Lockheed's higher conversion rate (70-80%) is a significant advantage over SpaceX's estimated 45%.
Internship locations and available sectors
| Sector | Key Sites | Intern Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics | Fort Worth, TX; Palmdale, CA; Marietta, GA | F-35, Skunk Works, C-130J |
| Space | Littleton/Denver, CO; Sunnyvale, CA | Orion, GPS III, satellites |
| Missiles & Fire Control | Orlando, FL; Dallas/Grand Prairie, TX | Missiles, directed energy, sensors |
| Rotary & Mission Systems | Moorestown, NJ; Syracuse, NY; Manassas, VA | Radar, sonar, electronic warfare |
Fort Worth has the highest volume of intern positions. Littleton/Denver is the hub for space-focused internships. Orlando offers the best quality-of-life math for interns: Florida has no state income tax and housing costs are lower than most Lockheed metro areas.
The return offer: full-time salary jump
The real value of the Lockheed Martin internship salary isn't what you earn over the summer — it's the return offer that follows:
| Intern Level | Intern Monthly | Full-Time Monthly | Full-Time Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior eng. at $28/hr | $4,850/mo | $6,667/mo (L1) | $80,000 |
| Senior eng. at $30/hr | $5,190/mo | $6,833/mo (L1) | $82,000 |
| Master's eng. at $33/hr | $5,710/mo | $7,500/mo (L2) | $90,000 |
Full-time hires also receive Lockheed's 10% 401(k) contribution, annual bonus (5-10%), health insurance, and other benefits that interns don't get. The effective compensation jump from intern to full-time is 50-70% when you include the full benefits package. Return offer base salaries run $3K-$6K above what standard campus hires receive.
If you accept a Lockheed internship on a program that requires security clearance, Lockheed can begin your background investigation during the internship. Secret clearance investigations take 6-12 months; Top Secret can take up to 2 years. Starting the process as an intern means you could be cleared by graduation — a major advantage over candidates who start clearance processing after accepting a full-time offer.
Application timeline
August-October — Positions posted on Lockheed careers site. Campus recruiting at fall career fairs.
November-February — Interviews conducted, offers extended. Early applicants get the best selection of positions and sites.
March-April — Late-cycle offers for remaining positions. Some slots still available but fewer choices.
May-August — Internship program runs. Final presentations in the last 2 weeks. Return offers extended 2-4 weeks before end date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lockheed Martin internship pay per month?
Lockheed Martin internships pay $3,800-$6,600/month in 2026, depending on education level and discipline. Junior engineering interns earn roughly $4,500-$5,020/month. Senior engineering interns earn $4,860-$5,370/month. Master's and PhD students earn $5,190-$6,580/month.
Does Lockheed Martin pay for intern housing?
Some Lockheed Martin sites provide housing stipends of $1,000-$2,000/month (or $2,500-$6,000 total for the summer) for interns who relocate. Availability varies by location and isn't guaranteed for all positions. Some sites offer corporate housing arrangements instead of cash stipends. Round-trip travel is typically reimbursed.
When should I apply for a Lockheed Martin internship?
Apply in September-October for the best selection of summer positions. Lockheed's recruiting cycle peaks at fall career fairs, and offers begin going out in November. Applications remain open until positions are filled, but waiting until January or later means fewer choices. Set up job alerts on Lockheed's careers site to get notified when intern positions post.
How much do Lockheed Martin interns make for the whole summer?
A junior engineering intern earns roughly $12,960-$14,880 gross for a 12-week summer program, plus a housing stipend of $2,500-$6,000. Total pre-tax compensation for the summer ranges from $15,000-$21,000. After federal and state taxes, take-home is approximately $12,000-$16,500. Extended 16-week programs pay proportionally more.
Browse Lockheed Martin positions or explore all space industry internships on Zero G Talent. For hourly rate details, see the Lockheed Martin intern pay guide. For full-time salary data, see Lockheed Martin starting salary for aerospace engineers or the Lockheed Martin pay scale overview.
