Forty-six percent of employers say that they offer higher starting salaries to new college graduates who have internship experience, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
For a Limited Time receive a
FREE Compensation Market Analysis Report! Find out how much you should be paying to attract and retain the best applicants and employees, with
customized information for your industry, location, and job.
Get Your Report Now!Among employers offering higher starting salaries to candidates with internship experience, more than half reported that they have a set percentage that they add on top of their entry-level salaries. On average, these employers add 6.8 percent more to the position's entry-level salary.
"Employers have told us consistently that they prize relevant work experience in job candidates," says says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. "This demonstrates that many organizations are willing to reward candidates who make the effort to gain that experience."
NACE conducted the survey, which included 303 organizations, among its members in February and March.