UC Postdoc Scale to Increase by 4-5%!
The NIH just announced a raise in the Ruth Kirschstein NRSA scale. Thanks to our union contract, this means the UC Postdoc minimum salary scale also increases by 4-5%!
In 2016, we negotiated that our minimum salary scale is the NIH scale plus 2 steps, meaning that the minimum salary for a UC Postdoc with 0 years of experience is Step 2 on the NIH scale, Step 3 for 1 year of experience, and so on. See below for details.
Join the union to support fair pay for Postdocs (and much more)!
This increase is another example of the collective power we have through our union to negotiate for improved working conditions. If you are not a Postdoc Union member yet, please do your part by signing up to be a member using this online form.
Who does this affect and when will my salary increase?
- For current Postdocs, the new scale will go into effect as you pass your anniversary date (the date you were first hired) or when you are being reappointed, whichever comes first.
- For example, if you complete your first year of Postdoc experience on March 31, you will get at least a 9.5% salary increase (from combining a 4% step and 5.3% scale increase) on April 1. In this case, your minimum salary would increase from $50,760 to $55,596.
- For newly hired Postdocs, the new minimum scale applies to all new appointments starting on or after March 1, 2020.
- If you make more than the minimum scale, on your next anniversary or reappointment date you will get at least a 2% increase, or the next experience-based step, whichever is more.
- Postdoc experience at all institutions counts toward your experience-based minimum step.
- There is nothing that prohibits UC from increasing your salary above the scale or before your anniversary date.
- If you have any questions about your salary, email uaw5810@uaw5810.org and we can help you review all details.
In Solidarity,
Anke Schennink, President, UC Davis
Neal Sweeney, Vice President, UC Santa Cruz
Carlena Ebben Eaton, Financial Secretary, UC Berkeley
William Kelly, Trustee, UC Davis
Lydia Majure, Trustee, UC Berkeley
Amanda McLaughlin, Trustee, UC Berkeley
Charisse Winston, Sergeant At Arms, UC San Diego
| New UC Postdoctoral Scholar Experience-Based Scale | |
|---|---|
| Effective March 1, 2020 | |
| UC Appointment Step (Postdoc Experience at all institutions) | Minimum Salary/Stipend (NIH Plus 2 Steps) |
| 0 (0 – 11 months) | $53,460 |
| 1 (12 – 23 months) | $55,596 |
| 2 (24 – 35 months) | $57,456 |
| 3 (36- 47 months) | $59,580 |
| 4 (48 – 59 months) | $61,800 |
| 5 (60-71 months) By exception | $64,008 |