Participating interns will receive $750 per week for the first time ever in the history White House internship program. This is in the fall.
Interns should expect to work at least 35 hours per week. The maximum hourly rate is $21.42.
The White House released a statement saying that unpaid federal internships are a barrier for hardworking, talented professionals and students, and that they prevent them from contributing to the country’s economy and preventing them of federal career advancement opportunities.
Interns in D.C. face high living expenses. They pay anywhere from $350 per week for housing and a few thousand a month for transportation.
A congressional spending bill that President Biden signed into legislation in March provides funding for the interns who work across the White House Office, and Office of the Vice President. It provided $4.5 million for intern pay.
Nearly five years have passed since Congress started paying interns. Pay was meant to increase diversity in candidates aEUR”, a goal shared with the White House, but a report by Pay Our Interns (a nonprofit founded by two Hill interns previously unpaid) found that racial representation has not increased among those who are paid for their services.
March’s spending bill included $7 million to pay Senate interns, an increase of 1 million over fiscal year 2021. Each senator’s office will receive an average $70,000 to compensate interns.
The White House will accept applications for its fall 2022 session. This session is expected to take place in person for 14 weeks.
