phd salary in canada per month

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Canada pledges dramatic pay rise for PhDs, postdocs – but many will not benefit

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The Canadian government has pledged a significant investment in its graduate students and postdoctoral scholars after more than two decades of stagnation . Its 2024 budget proposal , announced on 16 April , provides C$825 million (£481 million) over the next five years to support next-generation researchers by increasing both the number and value of stipends. However, the pay rise will only be seen by graduates who win scarce Tri-Council grants, although it is hoped that as these stipends rise others will need to too to compete.

The budget, which the House of Commons must pass before it is finalised, would provide nearly C$200 million per year, increasing annual master’s and PhD scholarships to $27,000 and $40,000, respectively, and postdoctoral fellowships to $70,000. The budget’s passage is not guaranteed – it needs the support of at least one of three political parties other than the ruling Liberal party.

Source: © David Kawai/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, and Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, presented the budget on 16 April. The package included funding that ended over 20 years of stagnation in PhD and postdoctoral stipends

The planned increases represent a dramatic jump. Currently, the typical annual stipend in Canada is around C$17,500 for master’s students, C$24,000 for PhDs and C$45,000 for postdocs. The government is also proposing C$1.8 billion to the different funding agencies in Canada over five years to increase core research grant funding.

The funding surge is expected to increase the number of research scholarships and fellowships provided by the government, building to approximately 1720 more graduate students or fellows benefiting each year.

Graduate student and postdoc pay in Canada has remained unchanged for over 20 years . A national survey last year by the Ottawa Science Policy Network found that nearly 90% of graduate students in the country reported feeling stressed and anxious about their finances, and almost one-third said they have considered leaving academia due to financial pressures.

‘These fellowships had the same value for many years, which means their ability to support students had, in many cases, fallen below a livable amount,’ explains Bruce Arndtsen , a chemistry professor at McGill University. ‘Many departments and institutions therefore needed to top these fellowships up from research grants simply to get to our normal stipend level.’

Most chemistry graduates ineligible for raise

Such a significant increase to graduate student stipends in Canada will give top students a competitive stipend and enable Canada to better retain these students, Arndtsen adds. ‘It will also allow the use of grant funds to better support their research activities rather than topping their fellowship up to needed levels.’

However, he notes that these stipend increases will only apply to the select few who win prestigious Tri-Council awards, and the majority of chemistry graduate students in Canada do not receive these top fellowships but are instead paid from research grants. In fact, Arndtsen notes that funding for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s major chemistry funding programme has also remained stagnant for decades, and he expresses hope that these grants will receive a similar increase in the near term.

Anne Labarre , a sixth-year PhD chemistry student at McGill who is involved in computational drug discovery, celebrated the government’s announcement. Labarre says the PhD stipends at her chemistry department are currently fixed at around C$26,000 per year and emphasises that this increase is significant considering the recent inflation and rent increases in Montreal.

Matthew Berg, who received a PhD in biochemistry from Western University in Canada in 2021 and is now a postdoc at the University of Washington in the US, is optimistic. ‘These increases are going to set the bar for where funding should be for trainees in the sciences and in graduate school,’ he states. ‘Right now, a lot of Canadian graduate students struggle,’ Berg continues. ‘We’ve heard stories of students having to rely on food banks and different support systems in order to just make it through their degree.’

Last year there was a nationwide walkout of students and academics in Canada who were demanding more federal funding for graduate students and postdoc researchers. This month, graduate teaching assistants at Western University went on strike to protest what they deemed unfair wages. Meanwhile, a union representing striking academic workers at York University in Toronto, including teaching assistants and graduate workers, appeared to have reached a tentative deal on 14 April after being on strike over pay since late February.

Berg says he was lucky – he received one of one of the elusive federal awards to support him as a PhD candidate in Canada, which he says was worth about C$35,000 annually for three years. As a postdoc in the US, Berg says he currently receives significantly better compensation, with a stipend equivalent to more than C$90,000.

‘My dream after my PhD is to move to back to Canada and be a professor there,’ he says. ‘But it does make me nervous how difficult it is to get funding there and I don’t want to run a lab where my students are struggling to survive.’

Michel Cayouette , the vice president of research and academic affairs at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute, says the C$1.8 billion funding boost is great news but will be insufficient to allow supervisors to increase the value of their trainees’ stipends to the amounts announced for award recipients. ‘This means that the vast majority of students and postdocs will continue to struggle financially,’ Cayouette warns. ‘There is therefore more work to do in coming years to fill the gap in funding and ensure that all trainees receive a liveable wage.’

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• 17 April 2024

Canadian science gets biggest boost to PhD and postdoc pay in 20 years

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Researchers in Canada got most of what they were hoping for in the country’s 2024 federal budget, with a big boost in postgraduate pay and more funding for research and scientific infrastructure.

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The average PhD financial support consists of a combination of internal awards, external awards, research stipends, and employment earnings (e.g. teaching assistantships, research assistantships). An interactive summary of PhD financial support data is shown below.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License . Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University .

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PhD in Canada: Top Universities, Application Process, Cost, Scholarships and Job Prospects

Syed Yusuf Ashraf

Content Curator | Updated On - Jul 15, 2024

• Course Duration: PhD in Canada typically has a duration of 4 to 6 years depending on number of credits, or extensions period.  
• Cost of Study: PhD in Canada cost around 4,134 CAD to 24,998 CAD (2.53 lakhs to 15.31 lakhs INR) per annum for Indian students  
• Admission Requirements: Indian students require 75-80% in bachelor’s or master’s degree to secure admissions in PhD Degree programs in Canada.
• Average Salary: T he average salary of PhD in Canada graduates is 91,000 CAD (55.75 lakhs INR) per annum as per payscale.com.

PhD in Canada is a 4 to 6 year degree available in a variety of disciplines. Applicants failing to complete this degree within a given time frame can request a 6 months extension. The Phd program is available for Indian students in subjects like business administration, computer science, economics, mechanical engineering, pharmacy etc. PhD in Canada is an ideal option for those seeking higher job profiles in government firms, school/university, or a researcher scientist.

For admissions to Phd In Canada , you must hold a bachelor's or master's degree with an overall academic average of 75-80% . Your degree must be equivalent to the course you are applying for.

• A GMAT score between 550-600 is required for business related PhD courses in Canada.
• GRE scores are generally not required for admissions to PhD programs in Canada. However, Indian students are highly encouraged to submit a GRE score of 300 or above to strengthen their application.
• Additionally, you must target at least 7.0 in IELTS or TOEFL IBT score of 92 to meet English proficiency requirements.
• Indian students can also improve their chances of admissions if they have research experience.

The Canadian government had recently proposed a budget of 825 million CAD to support researchers for the next 5 years. This will not only increase the job opportunities but also the amount stipend for next generation researchers. Hence, pursuing a PhD in Canada will be an ideal choice for Indian students in the coming 5 years. After completion of PhD in Canada, Indian students can expect job roles such as professor, research scientist, research engineer etc.

Top Universities for PhD in Canada

Why study phd in canada, phd in canada application process, phd in canada cost of study, phd in canada scholarships, phd in canada job prospects.

Tabulated below are the top universities for PhD in Canada based on the latest QS World University rankings:

PhD in Computer Science in Canada

PhD in Engineering in Canada

PhD in Medical Science in Canada

PhD in Business in Canada

PhD in Humanities in Canada

PhD in Canada allows graduates to work with top industry leaders of their respective fields. The Canadian universities offer exceptional research opportunities for Indian students along with state of the art facilities.

• Affordable Tuition Fees: PhD degrees in Canada are relatively less expensive than in the United States. For Indian students, the annual tuition fee for a PhD degree in Canada ranges from 4,134 CAD to 24,998 CAD (2.53 lakhs to 15.31 lakhs INR) .
• Diverse Disciplines: There are a diverse range of disciplines available with a PhD degree in Canada. The most popular disciplines for Indian students being computer science, business, engineering, humanities and medical science.
• Easy PR: PhD graduates can easily obtain a PR in Canada through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. For this, you must apply to IRCC for permanent residency status in Canada. PhD students are eligible for PR even without a job offer.
• Scholarships : Canadian universities offer several scholarships for PhD students regardless of their nationality and background. Indian students can avail a scholarship up to 50,000 CAD through Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Program. The other most popular PhD scholarships for Indian students include International Doctoral Student Award, Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and Vanier scholarships.

The entry requirements for a PhD in Canada may vary depending on the specialization and the university it is offered by. Below is the basic admission requirements for Indian students regardless of university and specialization:

Admission Requirements

• Bachelors’ or master’s degree with 75-80%
• IELTS- 6.5-7.5
• TOEFL IBT - 92-100
• GMAT - 550-600
• Statement of purpose
• Letters of recommendation
• CV or Resume
• Research experience

PhD in Canada University Specific Requirements

Check specific GPA requirements along with test scores across top universities in Canada for PhD program:

PhD in Canada is highly affordable compared to its neighbor the United States. For the 2024-25 academic year, Indian students can expect to pay around 4,134 CAD to 24,998 CAD (2.53 lakhs to 15.31 lakhs INR) annually in tuition fees. Being a PhD student, you need an annual budget of 21,120 to 28,440 CAD (12.93 lakhs to 17.42 lakhs INR) to meet the cost of living in Canada .

Tuition Fees

Check out the estimated tuition fee for studying a PhD degree in Canada across top universities:

Cost of Living in Canada

Following are the likely expenses that you may include while planning an annual budget For living expenses in Canada.

Indian students pursuing a PhD in Canada are eligible for several scholarships and funding opportunities. Some of these fundings cover both tuition fees and living expenses. Given below are the most popular Phd scholarships in Canada for Indian students :

According to payscale.com, the graduates of PhD degree typically earn an average salary of 91,000 CAD (55.75 lakhs INR) per annum). The graduates with PhD in Computer in Canada earn the highest with average salary being 123,000 CAD (75.35 lakhs INR). PhD graduates in Canada are likely to witness a pay rise in the coming 5 years. Being a PhD graduate in Canada, you can secure high positions in higher education, research and various government positions across the country.

Top Paying Job Roles for PhD in Canada Graduates.

Canada is one of the best choices for Indians seeking a PhD degree abroad. PhD students are eligible for endless facilities and benefits in Canada. Canada offers various scholarships for international students including Indians students. This helps them fund both educational and living expenses in Canada. Indian students can also work part-time while pursuing PhD in Canada for up to 10 hours during semesters.

Ques. Is PhD in Canada worth it?

Ans. PhD in Canada is worth going for as an Indian student. The degree offers numerous facilities for students including research opportunities, state of the art facilities, high paying job profiles, and easy access to permanent residency in Canada

Ques. Do PhD students in Canada get PR?

Ans. PhD graduates are eligible for PR In Canada even without a job offer. To obtain a PR in Canada, PhD graduates must apply for IRCC for permanent residence status in Canada.

Ques. Is IELTS required for PhD in Canada?

Ans. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required for PhD in Canada. However, Indian students must target a band score of 7.0 or above to get admissions in top universities offering PhD In Canada. Universities such Mcgill and McMaster require an IELTS score of 7.5 for some PhD courses.

Ques. Can I work during my PhD in Canada?

Ans. PhD students can work in Canada as long as they have a study permit. PhD students are eligible to work 10 hours per week during semesters. Upon graduation, PhD graduates can work and live up to 3 years in Canada through a post graduate work program.

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Economic Insights Which Doctoral Degree Programs Were Associated with the Highest Pay Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Focus on Very Detailed Fields of Study

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Introduction

Highest earning doctoral graduates come from wide variety of fields, science doctoral graduates earned the least, particularly those related to biology, unlike bachelor's and master's degree graduates, earnings of doctoral graduates generally did not vary much within broad program areas, only two doctoral disciplines are female dominated, but women do well in both.

Text begins

This study reports on the median earnings of doctoral degree graduates by very detailed field of study five years after graduation (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic), after adjusting for age, institution, and year of graduation. In total, the study covers 29 disciplines for men and 22 disciplines for women. The findings suggest that the top-earning male and female doctoral graduates come from a wide variety of broad disciplines, such as business, health, engineering, social sciences, and education. The fields associated with the lowest pay are generally in the sciences, and more specifically, those related to biological sciences. Unlike the case at the bachelor's and master's degree level, there is little variation in earnings by detailed fields of study within broader program areas, which might reflect the smaller number of disciplines at the doctoral level. Finally, only two of the disciplines examined were female-dominated, but women performed well in both of them.

While it is common to report earnings by field of study for broad academic programs, a small number of studies have opted to examine more detailed fields of study (Stark 2007; Frenette and Frank 2016; Frenette and Handler 2020a; Frenette and Handler 2020b). Although this approach creates challenges in presenting and describing the findings, results to date have clearly demonstrated the importance of highlighting the details. In particular, studies have shown that there is considerable variation in earnings by detailed fields of study within the broad program areas that most studies base their estimates. Moreover, reporting on these details may provide useful information to students, who base their academic decisions in part on expected earnings (Gunderson and Krashinsky, 2009).

This study reports median paid earnings of doctoral graduates five years after graduation, adjusted for age, institution, and year of graduation (see Frenette and Handler 2020a for more details on the approach). Note 1 Briefly, the sample consists of doctoral degree graduates between the years 2010 and 2012 based on the Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS), who did not return to school in the following five years and did not report any self-employment income five years after graduation. Median earnings are observed five years after graduation (2015 to 2017, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic) based on the T1 Family File (T1FF), and are reported in 2017 constant dollars. Disciplines are identified with the 4 digit, 2011 Classification of Instructional Program (CIP). Only disciplines with at least 50 observations are included in the analysis. Note that individuals with no paid earnings are also included. In total, results are available for 29 (22) fields for men (women). Note 2 Note 3 Note 4

For both men and women, the fields associated with the highest median earnings five years after graduation (adjusted for age, institution, and year of graduation) are very diverse, representing a wide variety of broad program areas.

For men, Business administration, management and operations doctoral graduates earned the most, with $131,549 in median earnings, five years after graduation (Chart 1. This was well above second place Computer engineering graduates ($103,657), third place Computer science graduates ($98,484), fourth place Education (general) graduates ($96,151), and fifth place Economics graduates ($95,144). Engineering graduates also occupied the 6 th , 7 th , 8 th , 10 th , 12 th , and 14 th spots. The relative success of engineering graduates mirrors their outcomes at the bachelor's degree level (Frenette and Handler, 2020a). However, Frenette and Handler (2020b) found that master's degree graduates from most engineering programs registered median earnings below the level registered for all master's degree graduates.

The diversity of fields represented at the top of doctoral graduate outcomes is worth highlighting. While the top five include some fields often associated with high earnings (e.g. engineering and business), it also includes a social science (Economics) and an education field [Education (general)]. Frenette and Handler (2020a; 2020b) previously reported that Economics graduates earned below the median among all bachelor's and master's degree graduates. Other doctoral graduates of social sciences registered more or less average outcomes, including Geography and cartography and Political science and government graduates (both slightly above the median among all male doctoral graduates), as well as Psychology (general) graduates (slightly below the overall median). Meanwhile, Frenette and Handler (2020a) reported that many education graduates (particularly those related to teacher education) registered typical earnings associated with bachelor's degree graduates. But at the master's level (Frenette and Handler 2020b) and now the doctoral level, education graduates are amongst the top earners.

The fields associated with the highest median earnings among female doctoral graduates also represent a wide diversity of program areas (Chart 2). The field associated with the top median earnings in this case is Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($111,796), followed by Business administration, management and operations ($104,807), Educational administration and supervision ($99,535), Civil engineering ($86,285), and Health and Physical education/fitness ($85,794). Note 5 Education (general) graduates also performed well (landing in 6 th place), while all social science graduates registered median earnings above the overall median for female doctoral graduates [including Clinical, counselling and applied psychology, Geography and cartography, Psychology (general), and Sociology].

Most of the fields associated with the lowest pay among male and female doctoral graduates are in the sciences, particularly those related to biology. In fact, many registered median earnings below $60,000 five years after graduating from their doctoral program.

Among male doctoral graduates, median earnings were lowest among Physiology, pathology and related sciences ($51,897), Microbiological sciences and immunology ($52,923), Biochemistry/biophysics and molecular biology ($54,252), Neurobiology and neurosciences ($56,235), and Biology (general) with $59,275. In some instances, these graduates earned only slightly more than their counterparts with a bachelor's degree in the same discipline (Frenette and Handler, 2020a). For example, male bachelor's degree graduates of Microbiological sciences and immunology programs registered $51,168 in median earnings—less than $2,000 below their doctoral counterparts. Male bachelor's degree graduates in Biochemistry/biophysics and molecular biology registered $50,961 in median earnings (about $3,000 less than their doctoral counterparts).

Male Chemistry, Physics, and Geological and earth sciences/geosciences doctoral graduates also registered median earnings below the median for all male doctoral graduates.

The fields associated with lowest pay among female doctoral graduates included Biochemistry//biophysics and molecular biology ($47,470), Physiology, pathology and related sciences ($49,271), Neurobiology and neurosciences ($50,407), Microbiological sciences and immunology ($56,829), and Medical scientist ($60,046).

Female doctoral graduates in other science programs also registered median earnings below the median for all female doctoral graduates, including Biology (general), Chemistry, and Geological and earth sciences/geosciences.

For the most part, median earnings did not vary considerably within broad program areas. This is in contrast to bachelor's and master's degree graduates (Frenette and Handler 2020a and Frenette and Handler 2020b).

For example, all engineering, business, education, health, and almost all social science graduates registered median earnings above the all graduates median for men and women. Conversely, all science and humanities graduates registered median earnings below the median for all doctoral graduates.

The one exception consisted of disciplines classified under Mathematics, computer and information sciences. Note 6 For male doctoral graduates, median earnings for this group ranged from $98,484 (Computer science) to $72,649 (Mathematics). Statistics graduates registered $86,247 in median earnings. For women, only Computer science graduates could be examined, and they registered $73,678 in median earnings.

One possible reason why median earnings generally did not vary much within broad program areas for doctoral graduates is that, compared to bachelor's and master's degree graduates, there were so few fields that could be examined at the doctoral level.

Although most degree graduates are female, this is not the case among doctoral degree holders. In fact, of the total 33 unique disciplines that could be examined for men and women, only two were female-dominated (at least 75% of graduates were female).

One of the female dominated disciplines was Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing, which ranked first among female doctoral graduates, well ahead of male-dominated disciplines such as Civil engineering and Computer science. In fact, female graduates in Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing would rank second among male doctoral graduates, ahead of male Computer engineering and Computer science graduates (two male-dominated disciplines).

The other female dominated discipline was Clinical, counselling and applied psychology, which registered median earnings of $82,358—good for 8 th place overall among female doctoral graduates (and ahead of female Computer science graduates). Female doctoral graduates of Clinical, counselling and applied psychology would place 14 th among male doctoral graduates, ahead of male mechanical engineering graduates (another male-dominated discipline).

Conversely, there were only enough women in two male-dominated disciplines to enter the study—Civil engineering and Computer science. While female doctoral graduates of Civil engineering performed well compared to their male counterparts ($86,285 for women; $90,667 for men), this was not the case for female Computer science graduates. These graduates registered $73,678 in median earnings, which was about $25,000 below the level for their male counterparts ($98,484). In making these comparisons, it is important to realize that individuals who did not work, or who worked part-time or for part of the year were included in the sample. Since women remain the primary caregivers of children in the home, it is possible that differences in earnings between the sexes reflect differences in time spent in the home.

This study reports on the median earnings of doctoral degree graduates five years after graduation (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic), after adjusting for age, institution, and year of graduation. Results are shown for 29 fields for men and for 22 fields for women. This detailed level of information could be beneficial to students, who must apply to specific academic programs rather than broad groupings of disciplines that are often reported in studies.

The findings suggest that the top-earning male and female doctoral graduates come from a wide variety of broad disciplines, such as business, health, engineering, social sciences, and education. The fields associated with the lowest pay are generally in the sciences, and more specifically, those related to biological sciences. Unlike the case at the bachelor's and master's degree level (Frenette and Handler 2020a and Frenette and Handler 2020b, respectively), there is little variation in earnings by detailed fields of study within broader program areas, which might reflect the smaller number of disciplines at the doctoral level. Finally, only two of the disciplines examined were female-dominated, but women performed well in both of them.

Finally, it is important to note that these results pertained to graduates from the early 2010s and the economic conditions that they faced in the following years. Shifts in sectoral demand are common, and this may result in variable labour market conditions for different cohorts of graduates. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic may create new realities for future graduates, either through work re-organization (e.g. telework or automation) or broader shifts in demand (e.g. health care or clean energy).

Frenette, M. and K. Frank. 2016. Earnings of Postsecondary Graduates by Detailed Fields of Study. Economic Insights, no. 56. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 11-626-X. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

Frenette, M. and T. Handler. 2020a. Which Bachelor's Degree Programs Were Associated with the Highest Pay Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Focus on Very Detailed Fields of Study. Economic Insights, no. 120. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 11-626-X. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

Frenette, M. and T. Handler. 2020b. Which Master's Degree Programs Were Associated with the Highest Pay Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Focus on Very Detailed Fields of Study. Economic Insights, no. 121. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 11-626-X. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

Gunderson, M., and H. Krashinsky. 2009. Do Education Decisions Respond to Returns by Field of Study? Canadian Labour Market and Skills Researcher Network. Working Paper no. 47.

Stark, A. 2007. Which Fields Pay, Which Fields Don’t? An Examination of the Returns to University Education in Canada by Detailed Field of Study. Working Paper 2007-03. Ottawa: Department of Finance.

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Recommended Salary and Benefit Rates

Recommended salary and benefit rates for student and non-student assistants paid from research grants.

Revised: 06-Aug-2024 for the 2024-25 university fiscal year

The tables below provide a summary. Please review the sections that follow for complete details. Note that this information is for budget preparation purposes only. Please consult Human Resources and/or Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs for specific hiring information. Rates are subject to change May 1 annually.

1 Non-discretionary benefits include Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, Workplace Safety and Insurance, and Employer’s Health Tax

2  The minimum funding levels required for graduate students may be met through various sources of funds (e.g., Graduate Research Assistantship; Teaching Assistantship; other awards). 3  Assuming that the minimum funding rate is met entirely by the GRS Sources:  Graduate TA-ship and RA-ship Finance compensation rates , Graduate student employment , Human Resources GRS vs. GRA

Graduate Research Studentships (GRS)

Human Resources has prepared a chart to help distinguish Graduate Research Studentships (GRS) from Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) . Graduate Research Studentships should be viewed primarily as support for students while they are working on their academic program(s) (e.g., thesis) under the mentorship and guidance of the faculty supervisor.  These funds are paid through the Graduate Studies Office on a once per term basis, are not taxable, and do not have benefits or vacation pay applied. 

Use the standard rates of the home department for the graduate students in your application budgets. If the home department does not have a set rate:

Master’s: use a rate equivalent to the Graduate Research Assistantship listed below ($21,955/year) is appropriate. At the very least, a $12,000 annual minimum* is required at Waterloo.

Doctoral: the Waterloo minimum* is $27,130/year.

*The minimum funding levels required for graduate students may be met through various sources of funds (e.g., Graduate Research Assistantship; Teaching Assistantship; other awards). Rates are subject to change May 1 annually.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Human Resources has prepared a chart to help distinguish Graduate Research Studentships (GRS) from Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) . Graduate Research Assistantships support graduate students from university-administered accounts to perform a designated list of research duties under the supervision of one or more faculty members.  The student is expected to complete tasks on a fixed schedule and reports progress to the supervisor(s) on an agreed schedule. Duties and assigned tasks may be routine or advanced but normally fall outside the scope of the student’s research. The relationship between supervisor(s) and student is similar to that of employer and employee, and income received by the student as a result of this service is taxable in the student's hands. Graduate students must be enrolled in a graduate program to receive these payments. Payments are processed on a monthly basis and reported as T4 Employment Income, and have non-discretionary benefits and vacation pay applied. There is a 10 hour per week maximum for a GRA. Rates are subject to change May 1 annually.

Master’s: $7,318.34/term or $45.74/hour ( + 14% in benefits and vacation pay).

Doctoral: $8,707.78/term or $54.42/hour ( + 14% in benefits and vacation pay).

Postdoctoral Scholars

Postdoctoral scholars are paid through payroll, with taxes and benefits applied, depending upon the length of the postdoctoral scholar contract (see statutory deductions and benefits costs ). Effective September 1, 2024, Waterloo requires a minimum stipend of $45,000 per year. The Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs has more information about appointing a postdoctoral scholar.

General Assistants

A person employed to work on a research project is classified as a General Assistant when a faculty member hires someone to work full or part-time on a project who is not registered as a full-time student during the period of employment. For example, a student who has been employed as a Graduate Research Assistant during the academic term would be paid as a General Assistant for work undertaken during a non-academic term or in the summer. Normal Waterloo Human Resources policies must be followed for all General Assistants.

A job description is required for any General Assistant position which is more than 1/3 of a full-time position. This should be discussed with Human Resources well in advance of grant application deadline dates.

Salary rates for General Assistants must fall within University salary (USG) scales. Researchers should contact the Human Resources Partner for their department for help with determining suitable rates of payment for specific research staff positions.

Salary rates for some General Assistants may be determined according to the following guidelines provided by Human Resources. USG level information can be found in Policy 5 and the scale is subject to change May 1 annually. The rates below are based on a 35 hour work week:

• Salary rates for assistants at the undergraduate level may range from $22.99 to $33.15 per hour (USG range: low-3 to mid-5) Example: Research Assistant performing clerical work or secretarial work on a project
• Salary rates for assistants who hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent may range from $26.52 to $40.03 per hour (USG range: low-5 to mid-7) Examples: data collection or survey data work
• Salary rates for assistants who hold a graduate degree or equivalent may range from $34.99 to $47.62 per hour (USG range: low-8 to mid-9) Examples: data analysis or report writing
• Those wishing to hire Co-op Students should contact Co-op Education
• Professional positions such as Research Engineer should be discussed with Human Resources

When preparing a budget, if the position is already filled then use the employee's specific salary and benefit rate. If the person has not yet been hired, but the expected salary range and term of employment is known, use the appropriate rate listed in the statutory deductions and benefit costs and pension plan participation sections below. If a single (global) benefit rate is required, use 25%.

Statutory deductions and benefit costs

In addition to the salaries of research personnel (excludes studentships), the employer’s share of the cost of benefits is to be paid from research awards. The precise total cost of benefits is difficult to predict as many factors affect the calculation, however the suggested rates serve as reasonable estimates for budgeting purposes or you can generate your own estimates using Human Resource's Net Pay/Benefit Cost Estimator (see bottom of page). The statutory non-discretionary deductions, which apply to all employees, are Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, Workplace Safety and Insurance, and Employer’s Health Tax and are payable by the employer. Also, if the term of employment is less than one year, the employee will receive vacation pay at or time off in lieu thereof. Research staff who are employed for less than 30 hours per week are entitled to these basic benefits to a maximum of 14%.

Full-time research staff, including Postdoctoral Scholars, who hold a minimum of a one-year full-time appointment are also eligible for insured benefits (Life Insurance, Extended Health Care). Total estimated benefit costs depend on salary: 23% for annual salaries of $40,000 or less; 21% for annual salaries of $40,001 to $60,000; 17% for annual salaries of $60,001 to $100,000; and 12% for annual salaries of more than $100,000. Note that Postdoctoral Scholars and Research Associates with an appointment that exceeds one year and all other staff with an appointment that exceeds two years are eligible for Pension Plan participation which increases the total estimated benefit costs (see pension plan participation ). For full-time research staff, vacation entitlement is two weeks during the year after one year of employment, and is not to be taken as vacation pay. Postdoctoral Scholars with appointments of one year or more are entitled to one month vacation at their normal monthly rate as per Policy 56 . Please note, graduate students are not considered full-time appointments, but are considered temporary employees hired on a per term basis, and therefore are not eligible for these insured benefits. (If they are registered as full-time students, they will be billed the premium for student health insurance on their tuition fee statement.)

For further details on benefits eligibility, visit Waterloo Human Resources .

Pension plan participation

After an employee’s one year temporary authorization has been renewed once for a total of two years or if they are eligible, in accordance with their T4 slips, the Waterloo Pension Plan may be an added benefit. Postdoctoral Scholars and Research Associates with an appointment that exceeds one year are also eligible for Pension Plan participation. The cost of Pension Plan participation increases the total benefit cost to approximately: 28% for employees with an annual salary of $40,000 or less; 26% for those with an annual salary of $40,001 to $60,000; 24% for those with an annual salary of $60,001 to $100,000; and 22% for those with an annual salary of more than $100,000.

Annual increments for continuing staff

General Assistants may be eligible for increases annually as of May 1 per normal University policy. Researchers applying for multi-year grants should include, if permitted in their budgets, an adjustment factor for salary expenses, as well as for consumables and travel to offset the effects of inflation in the subsequent years of the grant. For salaries, it would be appropriate to allow for an annual increment of about 3%. (This is assuming that the employee’s starting salary was well below the maximum level allowable for the position). While in most cases granting agencies do not recognize inflationary (cost of living) increases, applicants should take into consideration, when planning their budgets, the likelihood of increasing costs in subsequent years.

5 countries offering the highest PhD stipends

Did you know that as a PhD student, there is a difference between salary and PhD stipends?

This is just one of the many things you should know when deciding to do a PhD .

As the highest level of education, a Doctor of Philosophy or PhD can take anywhere from four to 12 years to complete .

Embarking on a journey towards a PhD is an intellectually rewarding pursuit, but it often comes with financial challenges.

So, how do students cope?

If you receive a salary, you are likely an employee the school hired to carry out a job like leading a class.

Like most jobs, salaried workers get a set wage based on their hours and often have employee benefits like subsidised healthcare or compensation.

A PhD stipend is a financial support system for doctoral students to cover living expenses, tuition, and research costs during their academic journey.

There are three types of PhD stipends :

• Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs): For this, you are required to assist by delivering one or more courses over a number of years. You would also need to take on other responsibilities, such as marking student tutorials, supervising lab experiments, and providing support to undergraduates during office hours.
• Research Assistantships (RAs): In this role, you will assist a departmental professor with their research. If you are lucky, the professor will be your PhD supervisor, and their research (and the support you give) will relate to your own doctoral project.
• Stipend via Studentship: This is a non-repayable grant for doctoral students. Unlike the other two stipends, this one rarely has additional suits, but you must progress with your degree.

Have PhD stipends always been like this?

PhD stipends have a rich history that mirrors the evolution of higher education.

Our current understanding of a PhD originated in 19th-century Germany , but doctoral degrees were awarded long before this.

Over time, PhD stipends have evolved into a cornerstone of doctoral education, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the pursuit of advanced knowledge.

Fun fact: The term “stipend” itself has Latin origins, coming from “stipendium,” which refers to a soldier’s pay.

This etymology underscores the idea that stipends are a form of financial support for individuals committed to advancing knowledge, akin to soldiers committed to a cause.

Sometimes, these PhD stipends are not enough.

In January 2023, The Guardian reported about how PhD students in Australia were barely earning enough to survive.

“Through Melbourne’s winter, I know people forced into less than suitable housing who weren’t turning on their heat,” said Tara-Lyn Camilleri, who lobbied to raise the stipend at Monash University from 30,000 AUD to A$37,000 while completing her PhD last year.

It was eventually raised to A$33,000, about A$4,500 less than the minimum wage after tax.

As PhDs can take years to complete, it is always easier to do one when you have money saved away instead of relying entirely on the PhD stipend.

Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Chairman of Google, has a PhD in electrical engineering.

Forbes even released a list of the most popular PhDs among billionaires :

• Former CEO of Google. Eric Schmidt (estimated net worth: US$16.2 billion), UC Berkeley
• The man behind Garmin GPS, Min Kao (US$4.2 billion), University of Tennessee
• Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of Broadcom, Henry Samueli (US$7.7 billion), UCLA
• Founder of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., David Shaw (US$7.9 billion),  Stanford University
• Co-Founder & Co-Chairman of Two Sigma, David Siegel  (US$6.8 billion), Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• The man behind some of Microsoft’s most successful software, including Word and Excel, Charles Simonyi (US$5.2 billion), Stanford University

And while having these PhDs doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on your way to the list of richest people in the world, it definitely makes you more knowledgeable than most. Having a PhD stipend will simply make this journey to the top easier.

In fact, some universities around the world have increased their stipends recently to attract more talent.

• The Canadian government has pledged 825 million CAD (approximately US$603 million) to support next-generation researchers by increasing both the number and value of stipends over the next five years. This would increase annual PhD stipends from 24,000 CAD to 40,000 CAD.
• Vanderbilt University, one of the most expensive universities in the world , will increase its PhD stipends to a range of US$34,000 to US$38,000 beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.
• De La Salle University is offering full tuition and fees with monthly stipends of 35,000 PHP (approximately US$600) for full-time students in any PhD academic programme through the Saint Miguel Febres Cordero PhD Scholarship Programme.

Now, if you’re a promising PhD student hoping to secure your stipend, try checking out these countries with some of the best offers:

The University of Vienna is a public research university located in Austria. Source: University of Vienna

Top 5 countries with the highest PhD stipends

• Average PhD stipend: US$104,328
• Average cost of living: US$1,705.67

Boasting over 50 institutions of higher education, it is no surprise that Austria is a top choice for a PhD.

Its rich cultural and academic heritage offers competitive stipends, with institutions like the University of Vienna leading the way.

This is because of the country’s commitment to academic excellence and research.

Universities often collaborate with international partners, contributing to a vibrant research community.

Government funding and a focus on supporting doctoral research contribute to the attractiveness of stipends in Austria.

Here are some of the best universities in Austria:

• University of Vienna
• Vienna University of Technology
• University of Innsbruck
• Medical University of Graz
• Salzburg University

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by UvA: University of Amsterdam (@uva_amsterdam)

Netherlands

• Average PhD stipend: US$74,163
• Cost of living: US$861.45  to US$1292.17

The Netherlands, known for its innovation and research-driven culture, offers competitive stipends, with institutions like Delft University of Technology providing substantial financial support.

About 10 Dutch research universities are ranked in the top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022.

The Netherlands is also highly ranked internationally for the number of publications per researcher (second) and for the impact of research publication (fourth).

“The PhD salary in the Netherlands is one of the best in the world,” a former PhD says to Dutch News .

“In the UK, the salaries are just 1,000 pounds and PhD students need to work at weekends. I was able to buy a house while being a PhD student here.”

Here are some of the top universities in the Netherlands :

• University of Amsterdam
• Leiden University
• University of Groningen
• Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
• Erasmus University Rotterdam

The University of Helsinki has one of the highest PhD stipends. Source: University of Helsinki

• Average PhD stipend: US$46,537
• Cost of living:  US$646.09 to US$969.13

Renowned for its high-quality education system, Finland offers competitive stipends, with institutions like the University of Helsinki providing substantial financial support.

Government funding often supports stipends in Finland, reflecting the country’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers.

Students are also encouraged to take ownership of the research in Finland.

Here are the top universities in Finland :

• University of Helsinki
• Aalto University
• University of Oulu
• Tampere University
• University of Turku

Universities in Denmark often offer industrial PhDs. Source: University of Copenhagen

• Average PhD stipend: US$53,436
• Average cost of living: US$11,45.62

Denmark strongly emphasises education and research, and the country’s social welfare system ensures that stipends are sufficient to cover living expenses.

The country also offers an Industrial PhD option if you want to conduct a research project with commercial perspectives.

Denmark is also popular for the balance of robust academics and a great living standard, giving international students the best of both worlds.

Here are the best universities in Denmark:

• University of Copenhagen
• Technical University of Denmark
• Aarhus University
• University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
• Aalborg University
• Average PhD stipend: US$42,618
• Average cost of living: US$2,512.13

The land of innovation and Vikings beckons ambitious scholars with competitive stipends and one institution that stands out is the renowned Karolinska Institute.

Sweden’s commitment to pioneering research and its unique blend of modernity and tradition make it an alluring destination for those pursuing a PhD.

Most universities in Sweden offer salaries instead of stipends.

Here are some of the leading institutions in Sweden :

• Blekinge Institute of Technology
• Chalmers University of Technology
• Dalarna University
• Halmstad University
• Jönköping University

*All figures were converted as of the time of writing on December 7, 2023.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on May 23, 2024.

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PhD, Professor, and Postdoc Salaries in the United States

The United States is home to several of the world’s best universities making it a top destination for international researchers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common American job titles and their associated average annual salaries. All salary statistics in this article are in American Dollars (USD) and are pre-tax.

PhD Student

A Master’s degree is not always required to do a PhD in the US. Several top universities offer direct entry PhD programs. An American PhD begins with two to three years of coursework in order to pass qualifying exams. During this time doctoral students are able to develop their research interests and hone in on their thesis topic. They will then write a thesis proposal which must be approved before they can start their dissertation. Most programs require PhD students to gain two to three years of teaching experience as well, either by leading their own class or as teaching assistants for a professor. It takes an average of six years to earn a PhD in the US.

Unlike some European countries, there is no mandated minimum salary or national salary scale for PhD students in the US. PhD students ear n between $ 15,000 and $30,000 a year depending on their institution, field of study, and location. This stipend can be tax-free (if it is a fellowship award) or taxable (if it is a salary e.g from a teaching position). American PhD students are usually only paid for nine months of the year but many programs offer summer funding opportunities. A PhD funding package will also include a full or partial tuition waiver.

After earning a PhD, many researchers go on to a postdoc. A postdoc is a continuation of the researcher’s training that allows them to further specialize in a particular field and learn new techniques. Postdoc positions are usually two to three years and it is not unusual to do more than one postdoc. There is no limit on the number of years you can be a postdoc in the US. The average salary (2023 ) for postdocs in the US is $61,143 per year.

A lecturer is a non-tenure-track teaching position. They often have a higher teaching load than tenure track-faculty and no research obligations. These positions are more common in the humanities or as foreign language instructors. Lecturers hold advanced degrees, though not always PhDs. The average salary for a full time lecturer in 2021-2022 according to the American Association of University Professors was $69,499.

Assistant Professor

This is the start of the tenure track. An assistant professor is responsible for teaching, research, and service to the institution (committee membership). Assistant professors typically teach two to four courses per semester while also supervising graduate students. They are also expected to be active researchers and publish books, monographs, papers, and journal articles to meet their tenure requirements. The average salary for assistant professors in 2021-2022 was $85,063 according to the American Association of University Professors . 

Associate Professor

An assistant professor who has been granted tenure is then promoted to an associate professor. An associate professor often has a national reputation and is involved in service activities beyond their university. The average salary for associate professors in 2021-2022 was $97,734 according to the American Association of University Professors . 

This is the final destination of the tenure track. Five to seven years after receiving tenure, associate professors go through another review. If they are successful, they are promoted to the rank of professor (sometimes called full professor). Professors usually have a record of accomplishment that has established them as an international or national leader in their field. The average salary for professors in 2021-2022 according to the American Association of University Professors was $143,823. 

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