How to Negotiate Your Internship Salary as a Student

Why students do not negotiate

The fear: "They will pull the offer." The reality: in 99% of cases, the worst that happens is they say no. The downside is nothing. The upside is 20-50% more money over the summer.

What internships in Pakistan actually pay

Research first. Typical 2026 ranges in Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad:

• Marketing/Content interns — Rs 25,000 to 45,000/month
• Finance/Banking interns — Rs 30,000 to 60,000/month
• Software interns — Rs 35,000 to 80,000/month (much higher at international firms)
• Design/UX interns — Rs 25,000 to 50,000/month

Where to research: LinkedIn salary insights, Rozee.pk listings, alumni groups on Slack/WhatsApp, your university career office.

The negotiation email script

Dear [Name],

>

Thank you very much for the offer to join [Company] as a [Role] intern. I am genuinely excited to contribute.

>

Before accepting, I wanted to ask whether there is any flexibility on the stipend. Based on my research and conversations with other interns in similar roles, the typical range is between Rs X and Rs Y. Would Rs [middle of range] be possible given my [skill / project / experience]?

>

Either way, I am very interested in the opportunity and ready to start.

>

Best,

[Your name]

Key moves: thank them first, anchor with research, name a specific number, signal you are still interested.

In person

If they bring it up in the offer call:

"Thank you so much. Can I take a day to review and get back to you?"

Never accept on the spot. Use the 24 hours to email back with your ask.

What to do if they say no

They rarely flat-out say no. Usually they say "the budget is fixed." Then you negotiate something else:

• Remote work days (saves Rs 5,000-10,000/month in commute)
• Mentorship — weekly 1-on-1 with a senior
• Project ownership — being lead on a real deliverable, not just shadowing
• A reference letter committed in writing
• Early end-of-internship review for a return offer

What NOT to negotiate as a first internship

• Equity (you will not get it)
• Title (interns are interns)
• Travel allowance beyond what others get
• Asking based on personal need ("I have to pay my fees") — always negotiate on value, never on need

The bigger lesson

The first time you negotiate, you might gain Rs 5,000/month. Small. But you also build a muscle that, used for your first full-time offer, can mean Rs 200,000/year extra. Students who never learn to ask leave that money on the table for the next 40 years of their career.

Ask politely. Ask once. Then accept the answer and do the work.