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Postdoc Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UC San Diego

Moore Postdoctoral Fellowship

San Diego, CA · On-site

$69K - $71K/yr

Salary will commensurate with qualifications and experience and with the UCSD Postdoc Salary Scale. ( Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at time of application) Doctoral degree in ...

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$83.5K

How much do postdoc salary jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoc salary in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a postdoc salary?

A postdoc salary refers to the compensation that postdoctoral researchers receive for their work at academic institutions, research centers, or other organizations after earning their doctoral degree. In the United States, postdoc salaries can vary widely depending on the field, location, funding source, and institution, but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends a minimum stipend that is often used as a benchmark. As of 2024, the NIH minimum stipend for entry-level postdocs is around $56,484 per year, though actual salaries may be higher or lower. Benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans may also be included, but these can vary significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a postdoctoral researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Researcher, you generally need a Ph.D. in a relevant field, expertise in experimental design or advanced data analysis, and a strong publication record. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, statistical software, and research management systems is often required, along with knowledge of grant writing and project administration. Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help set outstanding postdocs apart in multidisciplinary research environments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for advancing scientific knowledge, contributing to high-impact projects, and securing future academic or industry positions.

What are some common challenges postdocs face in managing their salary and benefits?

Postdocs often encounter challenges related to salary variability, as compensation can differ by institution, funding source, and geographic location. Additionally, understanding the full benefits package—including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave—can be complex, especially for those transitioning from student status. Postdocs may also face financial planning difficulties due to the temporary nature of their appointments and uncertainty about future employment. It's important for candidates to review institutional policies, ask about supplemental benefits, and seek guidance from HR or postdoc offices to maximize their compensation and stability.

What is the difference between Postdoc Salary vs Research Scientist Salary?

AspectPostdoc SalaryResearch Scientist Salary
Required CredentialsPhD or equivalentMaster's or PhD, often with more experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutionsIndustry, corporate R&D, or academia
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government labsPrivate companies, biotech, tech firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Postdoc salaries typically involve PhD holders working in academic or research settings, focusing on specialized research projects. Research Scientist salaries often require similar credentials but are more common in industry, with higher earning potential and different career progression paths. Understanding these differences helps job seekers compare roles effectively.

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What job categories do people searching Postdoc Salary jobs look for?

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Postdoc Salary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoc Salary job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Dr. Christie Towers

Salk

La Jolla, CA • On-site

$70K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

We have a postdoctoral position available in the Towers lab. Our work combines basic cell biology techniques and physiologically relevant cancer models to ask how cancer cells adapt when essential cellular recycling processes are blocked. We are looking for self-motivated and inquisitive scientist to join the team. Applicants should have a solid background in cancer biology and/or cell biology techniques with an eagerness to learn more. Additional skills in mouse models of cancer, optogenetics, cell metabolism, autophagy, and/or mitochondrial biology would be preferred.
Education:
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology or related fields
Application Instructions:
Applicants should submit a current resume, names of three references, and an indication of how their expertise and academic accomplishments make them a good fit for the position.
Job location is Salk Main Campus
What We Can Offer
The full postdoctoral salary range for wet lab opportunities is $70,500-$78,000 (see below). This range covers the entire postdoctoral training period; recent Ph.D. graduates should expect an offer at or close to $70,500 (minimum of the salary range). Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
Experience Level/Tier
Salk Postdoc Salary
0
$70,500
1
$72,000
2
$73,500
3
$75,000
4
$76,500
5
$78,000
Benefits
Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.
Salk Values
The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.
The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.
Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.
Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:
  1. Any combination of characteristics.
  2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
  3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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