Anonymous wrote:For an MD (and some PHDs) you're typically on the GP scale. Salaries are pretty varied and can be anywhere from $150- $350k. The upper tier would be reserved for really senior (Anthony fauci or very distinguished folk). If your husband is just out of fellowship and not in a leadership position I would estimate about $180k starting.

But you said he's going to be a contractor so I have no idea about those ranges

Watch vacation time at NIH. I think it starts very minimal.

Didn't read the thread but find a similar person's name and enter it here:

https://www.fedsdatacenter.com/federal-pay-rates/

I was an early staff scientist via contract for the NIH about 20 yrs ago and I was paid on par with those who were federal staff. However, I had to make sure the contract described what I did accuratly. Also, The contractor company was paid about double what I made which led to some resentment. Apparently some staff I made double. No, NIH paid double but I was paid what they were paid with much worse benifits.

NIH is a great place to work.

Watch out - the Heritage / White Coat Watch billionaire-funded rightwing efforts are trying to bring NIH down. It’s practically the one remaining American institution that keeps the US biotech economy at the top of the world.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of the few that I know, they start at the gs12/13 level (although not exactly the same as they're generally Title 42).

Np- I thought they (dr) have their own scale... Much higher than GS scale, no?

No, lots of fed MDs are paid on GS scale.

I was doing some research into FDA salaries and was surprised by how often MDs make less than JDs.

In general, the highest salary a JD can make is GS 15 step 10 at 170K unless you are in a financial regulatory (but FDA is not a financial regulator). I cannot believe MDs making less than that. Can anyone confirm?

There is a separate system. FDA MD here. Many of us make > 200k.

A couple things - OP's DH is a MD/PhD and so should make more than the average staff scientist PhD. Also, this is a contractor position where salary can be higher than the federal standard.

Personally, I would say a MD/PhD staff scientist with 5 years experience should negotiate for at least $130k from a contractor company, but I know a lot of people will think that's high.

I am a scientist for DoD and at Gs-15 pay scale. It is doable.

NIH is hell. It’s full of sexual harassment, lazy government workers, etc.

A scientist FOR THE GOVT is not making anywhere close to $200k, let alone $150-180k unless they are in super senior positions.

For a scientist, $150k+ would be manager/senior scientist/principal scientist salary IN INDUSTRY. No, newbie staff scientist in the govt can probably expect $80-120k. Many places in industry pay less than $100k for new PhD scientists.

Scientists don't make that much money.....this shouldn't be shocking.

Anonymous wrote:

For an MD (and some PHDs) you're typically on the GP scale. Salaries are pretty varied and can be anywhere from $150- $350k. The upper tier would be reserved for really senior (Anthony fauci or very distinguished folk). If your husband is just out of fellowship and not in a leadership position I would estimate about $180k starting.

But you said he's going to be a contractor so I have no idea about those ranges

This seems really high to me. DH was making $100k-ish when first hired as staff scientist after his post-doc. Now in a tenure-track faculty position and still not making $150k.

Agree. $180k is a staff CLINICIAN salary.
Staff SCIENTIST salaries for PhDs will be more like 90-140k typically, especially to start.