Strong internship opportunities helped Plano land inside WalletHub’s national top 20
As students and young adults begin searching for summer work opportunities, Plano is earning national recognition as one of the country’s top places to find a summer job.
According to a new study from WalletHub, Plano ranked 16th overall in its 2026 list of the Best Places for Summer Jobs, placing the city among the strongest markets in the nation for internships, part-time work and early career opportunities.
The report evaluated more than 180 U.S. cities across 21 different factors tied to summer employment, including job availability, income levels, commuter friendliness and internship access.
Plano Stood Out For Internships
One of Plano’s strongest rankings came in internship opportunities, where the city placed 10th nationally for internships per capita.
The city also ranked:
24th for median income of part-time workers adjusted for cost of living
37th for percentage of residents ages 16 to 24
49th in WalletHub’s active lifestyle rankings
While Plano ranked lower in total summer jobs available per capita, the study suggests the city’s combination of professional opportunities, strong business presence and quality-of-life factors continue making it attractive for students and young professionals.
Why Summer Jobs Matter
Summer employment and internships increasingly play a major role in helping students build early career experience, professional networks and workplace skills before graduation.
Experts included in WalletHub’s report emphasized that students should focus not only on pay, but also on opportunities that provide meaningful projects, mentorship and long-term career value.
“Your summer job should provide the opportunity to have at least two outcomes,” Daniel James Scott of Stetson University said in the report, highlighting brand recognition, networking opportunities and hands-on experience as key factors.
Other experts encouraged students to begin searching early, personalize applications and prioritize internships that offer real-world responsibilities rather than repetitive administrative tasks.
A Strong Market For Young Professionals
Plano’s ranking reflects the city’s continued position as one of North Texas’ largest employment hubs, with major corporate campuses, growing technology sectors and expanding internship pipelines helping create opportunities for younger workers.
As summer hiring ramps up across retail, hospitality, business services and internships, cities with strong professional ecosystems are increasingly standing out in national rankings.
The full WalletHub study analyzed more than 180 U.S. cities using factors tied to job availability, wages, internships and quality-of-life metrics related to summer employment.
Don’t miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.