Minimum postdoc salary/stipend, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to advise you that the 2025 minimum salary/stipend for MIT postdoctoral scholars (associates and fellows) will increase to $71,000 in two stages:

• Effective January 1, 2025, the minimum salary/stipend will be $69,000 (3% above the current minimum).
• Effective July 1, 2025, the minimum salary/stipend will increase to $71,000.

This increase is consistent with competitive trends among our peers and takes into consideration the high cost of living in the Greater Boston area. Importantly, it recognizes the vital contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to MIT’s excellence in research during their advanced training period. The two-stage nature of the increase is designed to allow principal investigators (PIs) and DLCIs additional time for budget planning.

The annual adjustment to the minimum postdoctoral salary/stipend allows MIT to remain competitive with national trends. Within some disciplines, the competitive landscape leads some PIs to offer postdoctoral salaries/stipends that are above the Institute minimum. In these cases, PIs are encouraged to provide a salary/stipend increase annually. For those postdoctoral associates earning above the new minimum whose start date is prior to January 1, 2024, and who did not receive a salary increase in 2024, it is recommended that they receive a 3% salary increase, effective January 1, 2025. Increases for postdoctoral fellows whose stipends are above the Institute minimum are determined by the terms of their fellowships and are not the responsibility of the PI.

PIs are responsible for funding increases to the minimum postdoctoral salary/stipend, with the understanding that departments, labs, and centers will be responsive to requests for assistance if PIs in their respective areas are experiencing financial challenges. Department heads and lab directors who believe that responding to this puts undue financial stress on their units should consult with their respective dean/VPR regarding associated financial needs.

Increases to the minimum will be processed automatically; PIs do not need to take any action. Increases above the minimum must be processed locally, and DLCI administrators are receiving instructions and support from VPR and Human Resources.

I am grateful to the deans, the School Councils, and the MIT Postdoctoral Association leadership for their input as we worked towards a balanced approach to setting the new minimum salary/stipend.

The postdoctoral appointment is a key training period in the career of a researcher; accordingly, at MIT we strive to provide a robust set of professional development and mentoring resources to support every postdoc. As a PI, the care you bring to your responsibility as an advisor and mentor is at the heart of our success in this effort. Thank you for all that you do.

Across the Institute, by maintaining a minimum salary/stipend that keeps pace with our peers and the local cost of living, we can continue to attract and retain the most talented researchers — as they enter a most rewarding career. If you have any questions about the minimum salary/stipend, please contact postdocservices@mit.edu.

Sincerely,

Ian A. Waitz
Vice President for Research