Weinberg College
of Arts & Sciences

Weinberg Guidelines for Research Staff Salaries

(updated December 6, 2023)

Members of Weinberg’s research staff provide valuable services toward the research mission of the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. Details regarding the various appointment levels can be found here.

From time to time, the Weinberg College Dean’s Office receives requests for guidance in setting salary levels for research staff. Below are salary guidelines for research appointments based on NIH Recommended Stipend Levels (released February, 2023), considered a reasonable national standard. Of course, salaries are dependent upon the field of research, competitive salaries in both academia and industry, and the availability of funds. As a result, these guidelines provide a relatively broad range for what would be considered a reasonable salary. They also should help to identify a reasonable range of merit increases for annual salary reviews and reappointments.

• Postdoctoral Scholars: NIH stipends range from $56,484 for zero years of postdoctoral experience to $68,604 for 7 or more years of experience. Generally, salaries for Postdoctoral Fellows should be in the range of ±20% of these numbers, but cannot be less than the NU minimum of $47,476. Postdoctoral Fellows are typically promoted to Research Associates after several years of postdoctoral experience.
  • Effective March 1, 2024, Northwestern will introduce an annual increase to the minimum salary for new or reappointed postdocs to match the minimum postdoctoral salary set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Visiting Scholars: Typically, these individuals are more senior and are supported by their home institutions. However, on occasion they may receive supplemental funding from NU. Such funding is offered as a form of financial aid to subsidize a portion of their salary not paid while they are on leave from their home institution (for instance, when on sabbatical), or to cover expenses incurred due solely to their visiting status (for example, apartment costs while visiting). This funding is not tied to services rendered to Northwestern.
• Research Associates: Based on NIH guidelines for 3 to 7 years of postdoctoral experience, Research Associates should be paid in the range of $59,592 to $68,604. Occasionally, Research Associates may be appointed at lesser levels of experience, with correspondingly lower salaries. Generally, salaries should be in the range of ±20% of these numbers for the appropriate experience levels, but cannot be less than the NU minimum salary of $47,476.
• Senior Research Associates: NU guidelines require at least ten years of experience as research associates or equivalent positions for these positions. Thus, salaries would likely be above the NIH guidelines of $68,604 for 7 years of postdoctoral experience. It would be reasonable to consider higher salaries, though not at the level of the 12-month equivalent salary for a junior tenure-track faculty member.
• Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows: Most Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows have funding from their sponsoring institution or other independent sources, which should be no less than $47,476, the NU minimum salary for Postdoctoral Fellows.
• Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellows: Typically, Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellows have completed their PhD within six months of their start date, and their appointment is for a period of nine to twelve months. This staff appointment is a non-exempt position, with a minimum salary requirement of $13.00/hour. 

Questions related to research staff appointments may be directed to Ryan Sawicki in WCAS Dean’s office.

NIH Recommended NRSA Stipend Levels for FY23

(Released February, 2023 )

Current Weinberg Average Salary Levels

*Northwestern will introduce an annual increase to the minimum salary for new or reappointed postdocs to match the minimum postdoctoral salary set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). See the announcement from the Provost here.

Updated 12/6/2023