Policies and Guidance

 

Salaries for Postdoctoral Positions

  • The minimum salary for postdoctoral positions is $52,000 through June 30, 2025.
  • As of July 1, 2025, the minimum salary for postdoctoral positions will be $58,676 per year. 
  • The NIH stipend rates for NRSA fellows may also be used as suggested guidance for determining postdoc salaries.
  • All grant proposals that support postdoctoral positions are strongly encouraged to include a 3% annual escalation for the salaries of postdocs.

 

Summary Table of Postdoctoral Appointment Types

Postdoctoral Appointment Types
 Postdoctoral FellowAffiliate
Postdoctoral Scholar		Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow
or Brittain Fellow

Term of Appointment Recommended		 1-3 years;
5 years maximum
1-3 years;
5 years maximum
1-3 years;
5 years maximum

Compensation/Stipend
(Paid by)		 Salary
(Georgia Tech)
Fellowship stipend
(Direct from sponsor or via Georgia Tech)
Salary
(Georgia Tech)

Compensation/Stipend Minimum		 Set by EVPR/Provost
(see Salaries section above)
Set by sponsoring agency
Set by EVPR/Provost
(see Salaries section above)

Tax Reporting Form		 W-2
1099
W-2

Tax Withheld by Georgia Tech		 Federal and state
None for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Federal and state

Georgia Tech Worker’s Compensation Insurance		 Yes
No
Yes

Background Check		 Required
Required
Required

Health Insurance Eligibility		 USG Employee
Student health insurance plan
USG Employee

Retirement Benefits		 TRS or ORP (with employer match)
Not eligible
TRS or ORP (with employer match)

Annual Leave		 14 hours/month
(Specified by sponsoring agency)
14 hours/month
(None if on a 9-month academic year contract)

Sick Leave		 8 hours/month
(Specified by sponsoring agency)
8 hours/month

BuzzCard		 Required
Required
Required

Access to Georgia Tech Services*		 Yes
Yes
Yes

Ethics and Haven Training Module		 Required
Required
Required

Eligibly to be PI on an Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship		 Yes
Yes
Yes

Eligibly to be PI on Research Grant		 Can be Co-PI, if school chair or unit director approves
Not Eligible
Can be Co-PI, if school chair or unit director approves

 

*Including access to the Employee Assistance Program, Library, Parking and Transportation, Office of Postdoctoral Services programs and services, etc.

Quick Reference Guide