Average Hourly Co-op Wages
Are you wondering what a typical co-op or internship pays? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, we’ve compiled a list of average hourly wages for University of Cincinnati students based on their reported experiences. Keep in mind that wages can vary depending on factors such as field of study, industry, geographic location, and level of experience.
Data Source
The wages listed below are self-reported by University of Cincinnati students through UC Professional Assessment and Learning (PAL) or Handshake. Data was collected from students on paid co-op experiences during fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024.
| Major | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | $21.55 |
| Architectural Engineering | $20.65 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $20.50 |
| Chemical Engineering | $23.43 |
| Civil Engineering | $20.83 |
| Computer Engineering | $23.09 |
| Computer Science | $23.12 |
| Construction Management | $20.00 |
| Cybersecurity Engineering | $20.00 |
| Electrical Engineering | $23.38 |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | $22.55 |
| Environmental Engineering | $21.75 |
| Industrial and Systems Engineering | $21.03 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $22.10 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | $21.43 |
| Major | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Cybersecurity | $20.08 |
| Information Technology | $20.52 |
| Information Technology IT-MS | $28.83 |
| Major | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Architecture | $20.48 |
| Master of Architecture | $22.04 |
| Communication Design | $19.12 |
| Community Planning | $19.80 |
| Master of Design | $22.33 |
| Fashion Design | $15.85 |
| Fine Arts | $14.81 |
| Industrial Design | $20.24 |
| Interior Design | $21.32 |
| Landscape Architecture | $18.00 |
| Urban Planning | $18.14 |
| Major | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts (incl. Communication) | $14.04 |
| Major | Average Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Accounting | $22.24 |
| Business Analytics | $19.92 |
| Economics | $21.71 |
| Entrepreneurship | $17.30 |
| Finance | $20.89 |
| Industrial Management | $21.44 |
| Information Systems | $21.29 |
| Insurance and Risk Management | $18.70 |
| International Business | $21.94 |
| Marketing | $19.58 |
| Operations Management | $20.34 |
| Real Estate | $20.20 |
| Hourly Wage Range | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage to $14.00 | Majors vary. Some departments hire work-study students to maximize budgets by using federal work-study dollars to cover up to 75% of student wages. |
Whether you’re planning your next co-op or internship, this guide provides a helpful starting point for understanding average wages across majors. Remember, your specific pay may vary depending on your unique situation!
Additional Resources for Student Pay
If you’re looking for more information about co-op and internship compensation, check out these resources from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE):
- Articles about compensation
- Guide to Compensation for Interns and Co-ops (purchase required)