How much does a Post-Doctoral Fellow earn?

Postdoctoral fellow salaries in the US vary significantly but generally range from $50,000 to over $80,000 annually, with averages around $59k-$65k, depending heavily on field, location (cost of living), and experience, though some specialized or top-tier programs can exceed $100k, while some social science roles start lower, around $45k-$60k. Starting salaries often follow NIH scales, around $60k-$70k, increasing with experience, but institutions like NASA and universities set their own.

What is the typical post doc salary?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $82,900 and as low as $24,673, the majority of Postdoc salaries currently range between $48,400 (25th percentile) to $65,600 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $72,537 annually in California.

Is a postdoc fellowship worth it?

The postdoc position is a unique learning opportunity that requires significant intellectual contributions. There is also a strong focus on research. Thus, the postdoc has the most benefit for people who want to make research a core element of their career.

What is the highest salary for post doc?

What is the highest salary offered as Post Doctoral Fellow? Highest reported salary offered as Post Doctoral Fellow is ₹36.0lakhs. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹29.6lakhs per year. The top 1% earn more than a whopping ₹36.0lakhs per year.

Do you get paid for a post doc?

The baseline postdoctoral stipend for new postdocs in 2020 is $52704 (this was raised from $50004 in 2019). This increases to approximately $64008 for those with seven or more years of experience.

What they don't tell you about Post Docs [Make them work for you]

Can I do a postdoc without a PhD?

Main eligibility criteria: Applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent at the start of the fellowship.

How much does a postdoctoral fellow make at Pfizer?

Pfizer pay FAQs

The average salary for a Postdoctoral Fellow is $122,777 per year (estimate) in US, which is 55% higher than the average Pfizer salary of $79,190 per year (estimate) for this job.

Is a post doc fellow a PhD?

A Postdoc is an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in a temporary period of mentored research and/or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a career path of their choosing.

What is the minimum wage for a postdoc?

The minimum stipend for full time postdoctoral scholars and the university is $45,000.

How much stipend for post-doctoral fellowship?

Selected Candidates will receive a consolidated fellowship of INR 80,000 per month plus applicable HRA. In addition, they will receive a research grant of Rs. 2 Lakhs per year.

Is a postdoc harder than a PhD?

Yes, a postdoc is often considered harder than a PhD due to immense pressure for high productivity, intense competition for limited academic spots, greater need for independence, and precarious contract situations, even though research can be more focused and rewarding. The stress shifts from learning research skills (PhD) to proving expertise for a future faculty position (postdoc), involving grant writing, managing larger projects, and constant pressure to publish "hit papers," with less job security and lower pay relative to experience. 

Is a postdoc called a doctor?

Postdoc implies they've finished their PhD, which earns them the title of Dr.

How many years is a postdoc?

The duration of postdoctoral positions can vary widely, typically ranging from six months to three years. These may be extended if additional funding is secured. Many PhD graduates complete several postdoc positions before securing a permanent academic role.

How much will postdoc earn in 2025?

The level for federal fiscal year 2025 is $62,232. The minimum rate is not applicable to postdoctoral fellows, unless otherwise provided by the fellowship award.

What is the salary of a full professor in the US?

How much does a Full Professor make? As of Jan 8, 2026, the average annual pay for a Full Professor in the United States is $114,792 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $55.19 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,207/week or $9,566/month.

Is postdoc salary taxable in the USA?

Because of their status as non-degree candidates, income received by a Postdoctoral Scholar is considered fully taxable by the federal and state tax boards.

How many hours does a postdoc work?

Can postdocs work part-time? No, postdoc appointments are full time (40 hours per week), based on the expectation that the postdoc will be fully involved in scholarly pursuits.

Do postdocs get paid a lot?

How much does a postdoc make? Postdoctoral research fellows earn a national average salary of $61,143 per year .

Can you negotiate a postdoc salary?

PhD students can make an appointment with an NCA PhD adviser to discuss and practice salary negotiations. Postdocs can reach out to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs for negotiation support.

What are the downsides of a post doc?

If you are considering a postdoctoral fellowship, know that you may have to juggle relocation and a potential lack of resources and emotional support network. No matter the field, postdoctoral positions provide recent PhD graduates with opportunities to continue their training as a professional researcher.

What is the typical age of a postdoc?

The average age for Postdoctoral Associates is 34. The average age for Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows is 35. The average age for Postdoctoral Fellows is 33.

Who is the youngest PhD ever?

The youngest person to earn a PhD is generally recognized as Karl Witte, a German prodigy who received his doctorate at age 13 in 1814, though modern PhD standards differ; more recent record-holders include Mike Wimmer, who earned a US PhD at 16, and Dorothy Jean Tillman, who earned hers at 17, making them among the youngest in modern times, showcasing exceptional academic acceleration.
 

What is the highest salary for a postdoc in the US?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $84,000 and as low as $25,000, the majority of Postdoc salaries currently range between $49,000 (25th percentile) to $66,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $73,500 annually across the United States.

What is the highest salary for a PhD?

The highest-paying doctorate degrees are often in STEM and applied fields like Computer Science, Engineering (Electrical, Chemical, Biomedical), Physics, Economics, and Pharmacy, with high earners often exceeding $150,000-$200,000, especially in mid-career roles, driven by demand in tech, healthcare, and research. Professional doctorates like the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Juris Doctor (JD)https://www.edumindslearning.com/blog/highest-paying-doctoral-degrees (MD/JD) also offer exceptional earning potential in specialized medicine and law.
 

How much does a post doctoral scientist make at Eli Lilly?

Average Eli Lilly Postdoctoral Researcher yearly pay in the United States is approximately $84,406, which is 33% above the national average. Salary estimated from 10 past and present job postings on Indeed. Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed.