Postdoctoral Salary and Health Insurance Rates

The Vice President for Research periodically updates the community on standards related to postdocs. Below please find summary information related to salary/stipend thresholds and health benefits for postdoctoral fellows. We have an outstanding population of over 1500 postdocs at MIT, and we are committed to providing mentoring and career development that supports each postdoc’s advancement on the path to professional independence.

Mandatory Minimum Salary Level for Postdoctoral Scholars (Associates and Fellows)

Effective July 1, 2025, the minimum salary/stipend for all postdoctoral scholars (Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Fellows) is $71,000.

Maximum Salary Level

The maximum postdoctoral salary is $90,000. DLCIs should direct requests for exceptions to this maximum to their Dean’s office and postdocservices@mit.edu. The Office of the Vice President for Research will work with the relevant dean’s office to review all requests.

Health Benefits for Postdoctoral Scholars

We are committed to equalizing the cost of health insurance between postdoc fellows and associates, so that the premiums paid by fellows for the SHIP/Affiliate health plan are not greater than what they would be paying if they were postdoctoral associates on the employee health plan.

At the time of a fellow's initial appointment, MIT administrative contacts conduct an evaluation, factoring in any health insurance coverage included in the fellowship. When the remaining cost to the fellow would exceed that of a postdoctoral associate, they arrange in advance for the faculty host to provide the difference between the cost to the individual for fellows versus associates (more details for administrators can be found on Equalizing Insurance Costs). For each category of coverage, the current annual premium cost difference is indicated below.

2025 Annual Rates

*Any amount of the difference that is not covered by a fellowship allowance for health insurance must be paid by the PI hosting the fellow.

Please note that rate changes for the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO+ and MIT Affiliate SHIP Insurance plans occur at different times during the year.

2026 rates for the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO+ plan will be posted as soon as these are available.

^{Updated August 4, 2025}