What is the difference between an internship and an apprenticeship in the US?
An apprenticeship is paid work combined with structured training that leads to a recognized credential in an occupation. An internship is a shorter, often school-linked work experience focused on learning, and it may or may not be paid. Choose an apprenticeship to start a skilled career and earn right away, and an internship to explore a field.
At a glance
| Internship | Registered apprenticeship | |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Learn and explore a field | Train for an occupation while working |
| Pay | Varies; depends on the arrangement and the law | Wage from the start, with raises as skills grow |
| Length | Often a semester or a summer | Set by the program, generally longer |
| Credential | Usually none, sometimes school credit | Nationally recognized credential |
| Link to school | Often tied to coursework | Includes classroom or related instruction |
| Leads to a job? | Not guaranteed | Often with the sponsoring employer, but check the program |
What does the Department of Labor say about apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship.gov describes Registered Apprenticeship as an industry-driven career pathway. Apprentices get paid work experience with a mentor, wage raises as they build skills, classroom instruction and a nationally recognized credential. The site says you can earn a wage from day one, and that credentials are portable across the country. Employers sponsor programs, so each program sets its own requirements. The site does not list one age or eligibility rule, so ask the sponsor.
Find openings with the Apprenticeship Job Finder, apply directly to the employer or sponsor, or ask a local American Job Center. For a short definition, see what an apprenticeship is.
What does the Department of Labor say about internships?
In Fact Sheet 71, the Wage and Hour Division explains that for-profit employers must pay employees, but interns and students may not be employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Courts use a primary beneficiary test, in which the intern must be the main beneficiary of the relationship, and no single factor decides it. If an intern is an employee, minimum wage and overtime apply. The detail is in unpaid internships in the US.
How do the two compare in practice?
Pay. Apprentices are paid employees from the start. Internship pay depends on the employer and on whether the intern counts as an employee.
Structure. An apprenticeship follows a training plan toward a credential. An internship should have learning goals, but it is usually shorter and less formal.
Fields. Apprenticeships are best known in the skilled trades. Search Apprenticeship.gov by occupation to see what exists in your field. Internships are common in business, technology, media, science, government and nonprofits.
Outcome. An apprenticeship builds a portable credential. An internship builds a reference, a network and a resume line.
Which should you choose?
- You want to earn now and learn a specific occupation: look at apprenticeships.
- You are still in school and want to test a field: look at internships. See how to find an internship in the US.
- You do not have a degree and want paid training: read entry-level jobs with no degree.
- You can do both: many people do an internship in one field and an apprenticeship in another.
What should you ask before you accept either?
- Is it paid, and how often?
- What will I learn, and who will supervise me?
- How long does it last, and what happens at the end?
- For an apprenticeship: is the program registered, and what credential do I earn?
- Are there any fees? Genuine employers do not charge you to hire you.
Frequently asked questions
Is an apprenticeship a real job? Yes. Apprentices are paid employees who also receive training.
Can I do an apprenticeship while in college? Some programs combine the two. Ask the sponsor and your school.
Do apprenticeships only cover trades? Search the Apprenticeship Job Finder by your interest to see which occupations have programs in your state.
Can an internship turn into a job? It can, but it is not guaranteed; the Department of Labor lists "no guarantee of a paid job" as a feature of an unpaid internship.
Where do I look first? Apprenticeship.gov for apprenticeships; your career office and alumni for internships.
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