At UC Berkeley, postdocs must be hired, at minimum, at the salary level on the UC postdoc salary scale (see below) that is appropriate for their experience as a postdoc, in accordance with the agreement between the University of California and UAW, the union representing postdocs in the UC system.
While salary increments are based on the steps of the NIH/NSRA scale, the bottom of the UC postdoc salary scale (level 0) is the same as level 2 on the NIH scale. "Experience level" means a postdoc's previous experience, including postdoctoral appointments at UC and/or other institutions. Postdocs may earn more than the minimum rate corresponding to their experience level.
NEW Salary Scales Effective April 1 (exempt) and April 2 (non-exempt) 2023:
Non-Exempt Postdoc Salary Scale
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Current Salary Scales Effective May 1 (exempt) and April 17 (non-exempt) 2022:
Salary Increases
- At time of reappointment or anniversary date, postdocs must be moved to at least the next level of the UC Salary Scale
- Salary increases are not based on performance.
- Nothing shall preclude the University from providing compensation at rates above those required by the contract.
- If a postdoc’s rate is already greater than the next step, then the increase must be at least 2% at time of reappointment.
Time and Effort Commitment (Article 25)
- Postdocs are considered “exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Required work schedule must be reasonable and related to research needs
- Emphasis is on meeting professional goals and on demonstrating research and creative capabilities, rather than working a specified number of hours.
