The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Tuesday that it will increase the minimum salary for postdoctoral researchers to $61,008 in 2024. This represents an 8% pay bump, far short of the $70,000 increase recommended by an NIH working group last year. The agency acknowledged in a press release that this is the largest year-over-year update for NIH-funded postdocs since 2017.
Donna Ginther, a professor at the University of Kansas’ Institute for Policy & Social Research and a member of the NIH working group, cautiously welcomed the move. She stated, “This is a step in the right direction,” while expressing concern about the slow pace of the increase.
The decision to raise the minimum salary comes amid growing calls from young life scientists for a living wage. The previous minimum of $56,439 was deemed insufficient to cover the cost of living in many areas, especially in major research hubs. The new salary is expected to provide postdocs with a more competitive and sustainable income.
The NIH’s move is a significant step towards addressing the concerns of early-career researchers. It remains to be seen whether the 8% increase will fully meet the needs of postdocs, but it is a positive sign that the agency is listening to their demands for fair compensation.
