Median salary
Across different types of positions, median basic salaries in 2016 for doctorate recipients with definite postgraduation commitments for employment, including postdoc study, in the United States were nearly identical for doctorate recipients age 31 to 40 at graduation and for those age 30 or younger. The oldest doctorate group (age 41 or older) reported higher median salaries than the two younger groups for employment positions in industry or business ($9,000 more) and government (about $14,000 more). Median salaries were about the same across doctorate age groups for postdoc positions, and differences were modest for those taking academic positions.
Median basic annual salary of U.S. doctorate recipients with definite commitments for employment in the United States, by position type and age at doctorate award: 2016
| Position type | 30 or younger | 31–40 | 41 or older |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoc | 45,000 | 45,000 | 45,000 |
| Employment in academe | 62,000 | 60,000 | 64,800 |
| Employment in industry or business | 100,000 | 100,000 | 109,000 |
| Employment in government | 80,000 | 79,000 | 94,000 |
- NOTES: Definite commitment refers to a doctorate recipient who is either returning to pre-doctoral employment or has signed a contract (or otherwise made a definite commitment) for employment, including a postdoc position, in the coming year.
- SOURCE: Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities 2016. Related detailed data: tables 48, 49.
