Graduate Assistant Benchmarking Project
Executive Summary and Results
To support the university’s strategic plan, the Graduate School benchmarked minimum graduate assistant base pay within the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
As a result of the benchmarking project, the minimum graduate assistant base pay rate is expected to increase approximately 10% effective July 1, 2024, and approximately 10% effective July 1, 2025. These numbers represent the minimum base pay required by the Graduate School. Individual colleges, departments and units may have a base pay above the minimum requirement.
Graduate assistants also received a market adjustment provided in the form of a 3% COLA to their base pay effective earlier this year.
GA Minimum Base Pay Increase
Level | Current Minimum | New Minimum 7/1/24* | New Minimum 7/1/25 |
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Masters 9-Month | 11,936 | 13,131 | 14,445 |
Masters 12-Month | 15,914 | 17,508 | 19,260 |
PhD/MFA 9-Month | 14,322 | 15,750 | 17,325 |
PhD/MFA 12-Month | 19,096 | 21,000 | 23,100 |
*Increase applied in October 2024 and calculated back to 7/1 for 12-month and 8/12 for 9-month |
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Frequently Asked Questions
As a result of the benchmark project, minimum graduate assistant base pay rates will increase approximately 10%, effective July 1, 2024, with an additional expected increase of approximately 10%, effective July 1, 2025. The increase to the minimum base pay for July 2024 is intended to be added in October and effective July 1, 2024, for 12-month graduate assistants and August 12, 2024, for 9-month graduate assistants.
Level | Current Minimum | New Minimum 7/1/24* | New Minimum 7/1/25 |
---|---|---|---|
Masters 9-Month | 11,936 | 13,131 | 14,445 |
Masters 12-Month | 15,914 | 17,508 | 19,260 |
PhD/MFA 9-Month | 14,322 | 15,750 | 17,325 |
PhD/MFA 12-Month | 19,096 | 21,000 | 23,100 |
*Increase applied in October and calculated back to 7/1 for 12-month and 8/12 for 9-month |
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All graduate assistants who are at least 50% appointed. Division of Agriculture (UADA) appointed GAs are also included.
Yes, only GAs below any new minimum are expected to be raised to the new minimum rate. The increase to the minimum base pay for 2024 is expected to be added in October and effective July 1, 2024, for 12-month graduate assistants and August 12, 2024, for 9-month graduate assistants.