Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in Atlanta, GA in 2026

Table of Contents

• Your Career Flight from Atlanta
• TAG-Ed Registered Tech Apprenticeships
• Cox Enterprises Tech & Analytics Internships
• Mailchimp Engineering Internships
• NCR Atleos Software Engineering Rotations
• The Home Depot Technology Internships
• Per Scholas Atlanta Training
• Delta Air Lines Tech Internships
• Microsoft LEAP Apprenticeship
• Year Up Greater Atlanta Apprenticeship
• Google Apprenticeships Atlanta
• Choosing Your Career Path
• Frequently Asked Questions

TAG-Ed Registered Tech Apprenticeships

Think of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Education (TAG-Ed) program not as a single airline but as the central terminal connector at the world’s busiest airport. This Registered Apprenticeship hub links beginners directly to a network of Georgia-based companies, functioning as a critical pipeline for inclusive growth by focusing on uplifting underrepresented groups in tech.

Apprentices earn while they learn, with wages ranging from $15 to $30 per hour during the structured, 1-year program with a local employer. The curriculum is sharply focused on Atlanta's high-demand tracks, including Cybersecurity Analyst, Cloud Operations, and AI fundamentals, providing the exact skills needed in the city's corporate and startup corridors.

With applications accepted year-round, it offers unparalleled flexibility for career-changers. While starting pay varies, the unparalleled value is a guaranteed seat within a local company and immediate immersion into Atlanta’s tight-knit tech community, concentrated in innovation districts from Midtown to the BeltLine.

Cox Enterprises Tech & Analytics Internships

For those seeking stability and a long-term career within a major Atlanta institution, the internship program at Cox Enterprises is a premier loyalty program. Headquartered in the city, this Fortune 500 conglomerate - encompassing Cox Communications and Cox Automotive - offers 10-12 week, paid summer internships with competitive wages that match its corporate stature.

Interns gain hands-on experience in data engineering and software development across diverse business units. A practical example might involve optimizing the massive fleet logistics datasets for Cox Automotive, which manages brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. This real-world impact is a hallmark of the program, providing tangible experience with systems that serve millions.

Applications typically open in late summer or early fall for the following summer. The program is renowned for its vast internal network and a high rate of conversion to coveted full-time roles, making it an ideal launchpad for those who value employee retention and clear paths for advancement within Atlanta's established corporate landscape, as reflected in analyses of the region's top tech employers.

Mailchimp Engineering Internships

Now fully integrated into Intuit, the iconic Atlanta-born brand Mailchimp continues to operate as a boutique design studio within a tech giant, attracting creative technologists drawn to product-driven development. Their engineering internships are highly sought after, offering high-tier compensation estimated at $40+ per hour during the immersive 12-week summer program.

Interns are embedded directly into agile teams working on features used by millions of small businesses, gaining hands-on experience in modern stacks like React for frontend or PHP and Python for backend development. The application cycle aligns with major tech recruiting, typically opening in October for the following summer, demanding preparation akin to that for other elite programs in the competitive Atlanta technology apprenticeship landscape.

Success in this program means integration into Intuit's global talent pipeline, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and the design-thinking ethos that defines Mailchimp's legacy. It remains a perfect fit for those inspired by the vibrant, creative tech scene nurtured in Atlanta neighborhoods like Poncey-Highland and Old Fourth Ward.

NCR Atleos Software Engineering Rotations

As a cornerstone of Atlanta’s “Fintech Parkway,” NCR (now operating as NCR Atleos and Voyix) offers a direct express route for new graduates ready for immediate takeoff. Their entry-level Software Engineering Rotation Program is a 2-year journey through different technical teams, providing broad, hands-on exposure to the complex world of financial transaction systems, ATMs, and retail point-of-sale software.

Financially, it’s a compelling launch with starting salaries for new grads ranging from $70,000 to $90,000. The program is deeply integrated into the local talent pipeline, with campus recruiting kicking off in September and heavily targeting students from Georgia Tech. This strategic hiring makes perfect sense given the company’s significant presence in Midtown’s Tech Square ecosystem, the heart of Atlanta's innovation district.

More than just a first job, this rotation is engineered as a direct ticket into senior engineering roles at a company that is foundational to Atlanta’s identity as a global payments hub. It’s designed for candidates who are already “flight-ready” with a relevant degree or demonstrable skills, expecting them to contribute from day one on systems that power commerce worldwide.

The Home Depot Technology Internships

If Hartsfield-Jackson operates on a massive scale, so does The Home Depot’s tech division - a retail tech powerhouse that functions as a city within the city. As one of the largest tech employers in Georgia, their OrangeWorks and technology internship programs serve as massive pipelines for entry-level talent into Atlanta's corporate campus.

The 10-12 week summer internships are paid competitively, often including housing stipends for non-local students, and place interns on consequential full-stack development and retail tech projects. For instance, an intern might help develop algorithms for the acclaimed “Project Sync” inventory management system that optimizes operations across thousands of stores - a project with immediate, real-world impact.

As noted in analyses of the region's top tech employers, peak recruiting happens from September to November. The sheer volume of tech hiring and the high rate of return offers for entry-level engineering roles make this a highly reliable and scalable option for securing a foothold in Atlanta tech, offering a clear trajectory within a familiar, iconic brand.

Per Scholas Atlanta Training

For travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson without a ticket or the funds to buy one, Per Scholas Atlanta is the critical lifeline. This national nonprofit offers a tuition-free, rapid-re-skilling model designed for those needing to build foundational tech skills without a four-year degree or significant savings.

The program provides intensive 12-15 week courses in high-demand fields like AI-Enabled IT Support, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering. To support learners during training, Per Scholas allows applicants to apply for a $3,000 zero-percent loan for living expenses, removing a major barrier to career transition. This focus on accessibility is central to its mission of feeding Atlanta's demand for diverse, skilled talent.

The outcomes validate the model. According to its 2024 annual report, Per Scholas achieves an 82% job placement rate within 12 months of graduation. Those placed secure roles at an average starting wage of $20.60 to $23+ per hour, offering a transformative economic on-ramp. For direct pathways into Atlanta's ecosystem, prospective students can explore the specific Atlanta tech programs and courses offered.

Delta Air Lines Tech Internships

What better place to launch a tech career than at the world's busiest airport's hometown airline? Delta's Propel Tech and IT internships offer a premier pathway into one of Atlanta's most iconic employers, combining massive operational scale with genuine local pride.

The program features 12-week summer or 6-month co-op internships, with estimated hourly rates of $25 to $35 for tech roles. Interns tackle real-world problems in cybersecurity, data science, and cloud infrastructure - the very systems that keep a global fleet running. This hands-on experience is invaluable, especially as employers in these fields heavily evaluate candidates based on curiosity and self-directed learning alongside technical fit.

The application window for these coveted positions opens in September-October for the following summer. Success in this internship is famously a direct feeder into Delta's highly sought-after Information Technology Development Program (ITDP), a rotational program for new graduates. It represents a unique career trajectory defined by clear advancement, global impact, and deep roots in the Atlanta community.

Microsoft LEAP Apprenticeship

While not an Atlanta-exclusive carrier, Microsoft's LEAP apprenticeship serves as a prestigious international first-class connection, accessible to Atlanta-based candidates with potential for remote or hybrid work linked to the growing Southeast market. This elite, 16-week immersive program is specifically designed for career-changers and non-traditional candidates breaking into software engineering, product management, or technical program management.

Compensation is highly competitive, with national averages pointing to estimated rates of $35 to $45 per hour. The defining challenge is the notoriously short and competitive application window; as highlighted in a candidate webinar, it often opens for just one week in late August for a January program start, requiring meticulous preparation.

Acceptance is fiercely competitive, but the reward is unparalleled access to Microsoft's engineering culture and mentorship. The program boasts a high conversion rate to full-time roles at Microsoft or other major tech firms, making it a top-tier destination for those seeking a transformative, blue-chip entry into the industry. More details on the program structure and philosophy are available on the official Microsoft Leap homepage.

Year Up Greater Atlanta Apprenticeship

For a comprehensive career launch system that combines training, stipends, and a guaranteed corporate internship, Year Up Greater Atlanta stands out as a proven model. This 1-year, earn-while-you-learn commitment is a powerhouse for developing local talent, particularly for young adults without a bachelor's degree.

The program splits into two phases: 5 months of intensive professional and technical training in software development, cybersecurity, or IT support, where participants receive a weekly stipend of up to $260. This is followed by a guaranteed 6-month internship at a corporate partner like Google, American Express, or Salesforce, providing invaluable real-world experience.

With rolling admissions and cohorts starting approximately every six months, it offers more flexible entry points than most structured programs. The outcomes are transformative, with graduates securing high local placement and reporting average starting salaries in the $42,000 to $50,000+ range. For those seeking detailed information on the application process and structure, the Year Up student FAQs provide essential guidance for this life-changing on-ramp into Atlanta's tech sector.

Google Apprenticeships Atlanta

Topping the departures board is the Google Apprenticeship program, which operates a significant and growing presence in Atlanta, fueled by the tech giant's massive 500,000-square-foot Midtown hub. This is the non-stop flight to the upper echelons of the global tech industry, offering paid, full-time apprenticeships spanning 12 to 20 months.

Apprentices receive a competitive salary in the $60,000 to $80,000 range plus full benefits while working alongside teams in Data Analytics, UX Design, or Project Management under the direct mentorship of Google engineers. As highlighted in community discussions on Reddit regarding the 2026 US cycle, the application process is fiercely competitive, with windows typically opening in March or April for cohorts beginning the following year.

The program is engineered with conversion in mind, boasting strong return-offer rates for full-time "Googler" positions. For an Atlanta-based candidate, it represents the most direct and prestigious route into a FAANG career, leveraging both the global brand and a major local physical presence in the heart of the city's innovation corridor.

Choosing Your Career Path

Now that you've surveyed the board, the critical decision is selecting the right flight path for your current location and destination. Each option - apprenticeship, internship, or entry-level role - serves a distinct type of traveler with different timelines, investment structures, and outcomes.

Regardless of your chosen path, universal preparation is key. For technical roles, a GitHub portfolio with 2-3 solid projects is your boarding pass. For apprenticeships and internships, proactively demonstrate curiosity and self-directed learning, which employers frequently cite as key evaluators, especially for fields like cybersecurity and IT roles. Remember, 85% of job success is tied to soft skills like communication and collaboration - your in-flight demeanor matters as much as your technical luggage. Atlanta is a world-class hub with flights departing daily; your journey begins with choosing the right program from the board.

Frequently Asked Questions