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 received a market adjustment provided in the form of a 3% COLA to their base pay effective earlier this year. The Graduate School's required minimum base pay rate will also increase after a recent benchmarking project.

GA Minimum Base Pay Increase

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 2024 and calculated back to 7/1 for 12-month and 8/12 for 9-month

Frequently Asked Questions

To support the university’s strategic plan to advance student success, the Graduate School benchmarked minimum graduate assistant base pay within the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The Graduate School benchmarked minimum graduate assistant base pay within the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

As a result of the benchmark project, minimum graduate assistant base pay is expected to 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.

Yes. Graduate assistants received a market adjustment provided in the form of a 3% COLA to their base pay effective earlier this year. In addition, minimum graduate assistant base pay is expected to 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. See below for more information on the graduate assistant minimum base pay increase.
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

All graduate assistants who are at least 50% appointed.

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.

Yes. Eligible graduate assistants received a market adjustment in the form of a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to their base pay earlier this year. These adjustments became effective July 1 for 12-month graduate assistants, and Aug. 12 for 9-month graduate assistants. The increase was calculated on the graduate assistant’s base salary as of June 30, 2024.
You can find more project information here. If you have any questions, please contact your immediate supervisor, your graduate coordinator, department chair/head, or the Graduate School Dean’s Office.