University Minimum Compensation Policies
- The University’s minimum rate of postdoctoral compensation is $47,476 (threshold for federal exempt status).
- Postdoctoral scholars automatically receive the next stipend level based upon their years of experience. Effective FY23, the NIH stipend level for an entry-level postdoctoral scholar is $56,484.
- In December 2023, Interim Provost Joseph McCarthy announced an increase in the minimum salary and annual maintenance increase for University of Pittsburgh postdoctoral scholars and postdoctoral associates to match the NIH NRSA minimum stipend levels which are widely accepted to represent best practices in postdoctoral affairs.
- New postdoc salary policies are recommended to go into effect beginning in July 2024, whereas these policies will be required no later than July 2025.
University Compensation Increase Guidelines
- At the time of their reappointment, postdoctoral associates follow the annual University compensation increase guidelines based upon the recommendations of their faculty mentors.
- Postdoctoral associates in the schools of the health sciences, whose compensation is below the appropriate NIH stipend level for their years of experience, may receive a compensation increase above the University guidelines up to the next NIH stipend level. The compensation increases of postdoctoral associates, whose compensation is already above the appropriate NIH stipend level, are limited to the University compensation increase guidelines.
- Postdoctoral scholars automatically receive the next stipend level based upon their years of experience. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-23-076.html
Postdoctoral associates are encouraged to negotiate with their faculty mentors for reappointment salaries equivalent to the NIH stipend levels.
Postdoctoral Taxation
Learn more about University of Pittsburgh postdoctoral classifications here.