Minimum compensation (salary or stipend) for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
$61,428
per year (defined as a 12-month period)
Minimum compensation (salary or stipend) for July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
$63,120
per year (defined as a 12-month period)
Important:
Note that the amount above indicates the minimum, that is, the lowest compensation required. WashU does not define a compensation scale nor a maximum compensation amount for postdoctoral appointees. To maintain competitiveness and support recruitment and retention, the OPA recommends that PIs and postdocs negotiate compensations above the minimum.
Compensation for postdoctoral appointees at WashU is competitive. The minimum compensation per year is established based on the postdoctoral stipend amount of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) program, with a delayed start to align to WashU’s fiscal year. For FY24 and FY25, the minimum compensation at WashU was based on Year 1 of the NRSA program. As of FY26, the minimum compensation at WashU is based on Year 2 of the NRSA program.
Following the WashU Postdoctoral Education Policy, when extramural agencies set stipends for fellowships and training grants at a rate less than the WashU minimum, it is required that the principal investigator or department provide additional funding to bring the pay level of the postdoctoral appointee up to at least the established minimum.
Importantly, WashU establishes only the required minimum compensation. Individual compensation should be discussed between the appointing faculty member and the postdoctoral appointee. It is expected that postdocs complete an annual review with their faculty supervisor and receive compensation increases appropriate to their experience and performance.
Contact the department or school administrator for information on compensation guidelines.
Suggested readings:
- NIH NRSA stipend levels for federal FY2024 (NOT-OD-25-105) (May 16, 2025)
- NIH NRSA stipend levels for federal FY2024 (NOT-OD-24-104) (Apr 23, 2024)