Compensation

Minimum Compensation

Effective July 1, 2024, the George Washington University (GW) set a minimum compensation of $61,008 for new postdoctoral appointees. This compensation aligns with year zero of the  FY24 National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Research Service Awards (NRSA) scale which is a national standard. The minimum will apply across all GW departments and units, regardless of funding source.

NIH updates the NRSA scale on an annual basis. GW will continue to reference it to inform starting compensation. GW encourages supervisors to set starting compensation based on years of postdoctoral experience, tied to the FY24 NIH NRSA scale.

GW encourages supervisors to set starting compensation based on years of postdoctoral experience, tied to the NIH NRSA scale. However, the NRSA scale should be considered when setting compensation for an initial appointment.

Flexibility

Principal investigators (PIs) and hiring managers should consult the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) if they want to increase compensation to a higher rate for postdocs based on years of experience, skills, and/or area(s) of specialization.

Subject to Availability of Funds

All compensation is subject to the initial and continued availability of funding as well as any terms and conditions, if applicable, set forth by the sponsor funding the appointment. OPA works closely with the faculty mentors and deans to initiate compensation reviews of current postdocs.

Tax Implications

It is strongly recommended that postdoctoral scholars consult the IRS and/or a tax professional to understand the tax implications. The National Postdoc Association also provides an Overview of Tax Issues for Postdocs.

Postdoctoral scholars funded by NIH T32 awards may contact the [email protected] for a suggested letter template regarding IRS self-employment tax (please note that you will probably only need the template if you receive a letter from the IRS asking you to explain why you are not liable for self-employment tax for the income you made from the T32 that was reported on the 1099-MISC; the IRS does not always send this letter).

• The IRS requires estimated payment of income tax each quarter, since it is not deducted from a fellowship check
• Your state might also require quarterly payments (DC – MD – VA)
• We can’t give accounting or tax advice, but here are some GW resources where you can find additional information:
  • Taxation of Scholarships, Fellowships & Stipends
  • Taxation of Wages for U.S. Citizens and Residents
  • Tax Implications and Reporting Requirements of Payments to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents or Resident