My REAL PhD Student Salary at The University of California | How Much Do Grad Students Get Paid!?

Today I am actually showing my REAL PhD Student Salary. Yes, My ACTUALY Income as a PhD Student! Have you ever wondered "how much do grad student get paid?" Are you applying for a graduate program and scared that your phd student salary won't be enough? There is sooo much at stake when it comes to funding your PhD program. Especially if we are moving to WHOLE OTHER states and even countries to still not know how will we afford to pay for school! So today I am sharing my ACTUAL paystubs and salary as a PhD Student at UCLA to hopefully help you all get an idea of what kind of income you can expect as a graduate student! Funding grad school is never easy, but it is possible!
OTHER VIDEOS TO CONSIDER:
○ The Truth about Grad Funding & Working to Pay for Grad School - • Are PhDs REALLY Fully ...
○ How to Pay for Grad School Without Financial Support | AVOID THESE 5 FUNDING MISTAKES - • How to Pay for Grad Sc...
○ Strategies to Find Funding for Graduate Students | How to look for Grants and Scholarships to fund Grad School - • Strategies to Find Fun...
○ University Student Loans 101 | Grad School Federal Loans FAQs and Advice - • University Student Loa...
○ GRAD STUDENT JOBS: What is a TA | How to get a Teaching Assistantship at a University - • What is a TA | How to ...
○ GRAD STUDENT JOBS: What is a GSR | How do you get a Graduate Student Researcher Position? - • What is a GSR | How to...
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Likes, Comments, Shares, and Subscribers help small KZbinrs like me grow. This growth will help me produce more helpful, creative, and engaging content for all of you. If you know someone who is interested in grad school or has already been accepted but they don't know what to expect, please share my channel with them! If you have ANY questions about grad life, research or even me, ALWAYS feel free to leave your questions in the comments below.
I made this channel to help people like me. People who don't know anyone with a doctorate degree or anything about higher education, but I knew I wanted to get a PhD. I knew I wanted to be a doctor! With your support we can work together to create a resource to demystify graduate school and encourage more underrepresented people to thrive in doctoral programs!

[@DrDu-zc4eg]

Your video is very informational and will help a lot of grad/phd students along their journey. The intentionality around going to graduate school has to be very high, unless of course you have a support system that will catch you financially in moments where you need them to. I can share that during my 4 + 1 year PsyD program i worked night shift at an airport from October of 2016 to April 2021. I had a fellowship in the office of graduate admissions, did all my practicums which were 20 to 45 minute commutes from my apartment, attended classes, did my assignments and school responsibilities, attended conferences and unique experiences that would help me in the long wrong as well as tried my best to enjoy "LIFE". It was not ideal, and it didn't feel great most of the time. Because of all that though, the value I have created for myself and how I want to apply that in the world will pay major dividends. Again, thanks for this insight, its cool to see this kind of content from an extremely busy PhD student!

[@BrisaMarie]

Oh my goodness!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing. 1) you have no idea how much it means to me to see such encouraging messages!!!! 2) sharing your experiences in the comments also really helps others get more perspectives!! I would love for more people to do it, but I feel so happy that you have started that trend! Thank you so so much

[@erickpurpose]

You holdin' it down for the future PhD's no doubt

[@BrisaMarie]

Lol thank you!!! I love you so much

[@felciatriplett8986]

You are amazing girl! Thank you for this info, it’s literally giving me the knowledge I needed to decide to go for my Phd now. Subscribed! ⭐️

[@BrisaMarie]

YOU ARE SOOO WELCOME! I am so happy that my videos are helpful to you!!! Thank you for commenting and subscribing! I really appreciate you

[@ImamPutranto]

I'm preparing myself for a PhD position and I think your content is very helpful. It makes me see what skills required to support a PhD life. Thank you Brisa.

[@BrisaMarie]

Of course!! good luck! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I am always here to help!

[@rawisaralohanimit9327]

Thank you so much! I will apply for grad school next year. This is a really helpful resource :)

[@BrisaMarie]

That's so exciting!! If you have any questions please let me know!!! I also have a grad admissions playlist that might be helpful too!! kzbin.info/aero/PLY-K7nK2wQ2WeWF9EfkwZFapB1fpjV2he

[@Reallifewithshamiere]

it's good to know that GRAD students can make some sort of income while being a student. It may not be a lot but if you have roommates or live with parents this can be very beneficial to save money for yourself/your carer. Thank you for your video, it was very helpful while I will be embarking my master's program in school psych.

[@BrisaMarie]

Of course! Thank you so much for commenting! I agree with you 100% having a little extra support like roommates can be very useful to making this money stretch hahaha! thank you again for leaving such a positive comment and CONGRATS on starting your masters degree! I am so excited for you!!! Feel free to comment any and all updates!

[@hanacho1984]

Very informative! Thanks a lot!!👍🏻

[@BrisaMarie]

Of course!!! Thank you so much for commenting! I really appreciate you!

[@Blerdy_Disposition]

This video was super informative for me since I would like to do a PhD program in the coming years!

[@BrisaMarie]

Thank you so much!! I am so glad it was helpful! Please let me know if you have any other questions!

[@taoufikamri3742]

Surprised this channel is at 3.77 K. Subbed. Thanks for the info!

[@BrisaMarie]

OF COURSE!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUB!!!!!

[@je2740]

Incredibly interesting and relevant to anyone who wants to get into ph.d. program.

[@BrisaMarie]

Thank you so so much! I am so happy you found this video useful!

[@skippersthepenguin3591]

I get paid a bit lower then minimum wage (I work from 9-6 pm most days), and as someone who is working in the lab 90% of the time I think we deserve more. Just because I am going to get into a higher position doesn't mean I deserve no compensation for the work I put in. Without grad students, a university would not function. I don't know why anyone would do what I do unpaid, if your working in the lab and not just studying and learning you deserve a livable wage. Research is work.

[@BrisaMarie]

Yes!!!!! You are 10000% correct! Universities at any level especially in the US would be non-functioning without grad students and post-docs. Its a shame that they take advantage of us!!! Idk what school you're at but I know the UC students are striking next week for higher pay! So it is very much a common issue that needs collective fighting against it! I appreciate your comment and thank you for sharing your experiences and opinions!! They are very important!

[@globalwhile7357]

Really motivating

[@BrisaMarie]

I am sooo Happy to hear that! Thank you for commenting!!!

[@yiminglu5971]

Hi Brisa, Thank you so much for this very informative video. I applied for a PhD at a UC system uni. Although I have not received the results yet, I now realise the difficult reality of life after admission. The information on the internet is very scattered and not very transparent. It wouldn`t be possible for me to know these without your video. I have a question about TAship. Does every department use the same salary metrics/ levels across the UC system? Or perhaps science departments pay higher? I do social science, so I don`t know if we are paid even lower than that. Thanks again.

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! Thank you for commenting! Yes, all UC schools use consistent funding no matter what department if you are an academic student employee. There are of course different rates (as shown in the video) but no matter what department the rates are the same. HOWEVER some departments may have more funding and thus they might give out more money through stipends and grants. This will vary department to department and often times STEM fields have more funding than arts and humanities (though not always). Hope that helps! Thank you again!

[@24HoursLive-Official]

Thank you !!!

[@BrisaMarie]

Of course!! Thank you!

[@timfewless971]

Also when you get tuition wavers it reduces the amount you can get in student loans! Just found that out!

[@BrisaMarie]

This is such a good point Tim!!! Thank you for bringing this up! I'm sure it'll help others in the comments be more prepared for their student loan situations! Thank you!

[@Gentlelifeworld]

Thank you so much for this video! Just wondering, do your monthly pay stubs also take into account any stipend payments? ❤️

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! Thank you for commenting!! No, my pay stubs are only what I earn from working as a student employee. If I get stipend payments that would come from another "payment source" (i mean it is all UCLA) but it is deposited different. At the time of recording that video I did not have any stipends so that was my total lol but now I do and I can confirm they are administered like refund check at UCLA.

[@negativelyevil]

Hi Brisa, I won’t have funding beyond year 1 of my PhD at UCLA. I’m wondering how hard it is to find GSR/TA positions that can amount to 50%?

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi Nicole! It is not hard at all! Make sure you reach out to your SAO or grad advisor so you are added to the TA marketplace (which is a listserv) many job opportunities are shared there and you can just apply like a regular job. Also depending on how big your department is they may hire you in your next funding package, so make sure you are verbal with your chair that you would like to TA or be a GSR! Here is a video that talks more in depth about that process! But I wouldn't be too worried. You can definitely get a job you just have to look! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5LQepispth7etU

[@bynkro]

Excellent video but do these number change depending on which college / department you're in? I imagine engineering will provide more funding than a social science.

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! So in regards to scholarships, grants, and stipends yes there is often a difference between the humanities and STEM. Often in these categories STEM has more access to funding and those grad students are more likely to get these types of financial support. HOWEVER in regards to working, no there is no difference. All grad students that work (in the UC system at least) receive the same salary at each level. So it doesn't matter if you are TA in engineering or a TA in art you will get the same pay because you are doing the same work. But like i said there are more opportunities for grants and stipends in more well funding programs and STEM can easily generate more funding than humanities fields. I hope that was helpful.

[@AAHMAFilm]

Yea, as a full-time phd student…MOST are 25% and a small number can get a 50% appointment (which are few and far between or outside your department). You’re also paid monthly AND taxes are not taken out. So, you’ll need to pay taxes quarterly or one lump sum later. Housing ranges from $978-1600ish a month = $11,736-19,200 a year (this is your half WITH a roommate). + LAWDP, groceries, Cell phone, and any other bills, travel, household items etc. It’s extremely difficult to schedule enough time for attending classes (enrolled full time / at least 12credits or 8 if ur TAing), doing your hw, studying for qualifying exams (during summer), and writing the prospectus. Many save up before attending grad school, and then take a real job after ABD, while writing the diss, bc solely relying on TAing or even TAing and having a second job is not realistic unless your family is wealthy and supports you while in school. Otherwise, you’re leaving with some significant credit card debt in order to “make it work.”

[@BrisaMarie]

These are ALL such good points!! It is sooo amazing how you broke down the details of these things!! This will help so many people!!! All in all you are 1000% correct grad school (especially in LA) is not cheap!!! And graduate students are definitely getting the short hand of the stick! Hopefully this strike will help us move forward to more sustainable pay and resources!! Thank you for your thoughtful comment!

[@Kay-ql8zr]

Thanks so much for this info and transparency. Now, how I’m the world were you doing TWO TA jobs at 75% and had time to get a whole PHD in the meantime!?!? Please explain the school/work balance, sis!

[@BrisaMarie]

Now... that is a good questions. lol I mean short answer... I didn't have any for a really long time. It negatively impacted sooo much of my life, my health, my relationships, my mental well-being... I was able to get a grip and rebalance everything after the shut down of in-person stuff due to the pandemic... and I did a lot of soul searching to develop more healthy boundaries.... I do no recommend!!! hahahha I should make more videos on that time of my life!

[@kawikasmith5803]

Hey thanks for this!!! Is it at all possible to sub for K-12 while pursuing a PhD (Sociology) at UCLA? If so, what’s the income cap that students have on their outside earnings?

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi!!! Yes! it is totally possible. So the workers cap only really applies if you working for the university or if you have grant funding. But if you are expected to pay for things on your own you can make this work how you see fit. Additionally, even if they say you can't ... there... really isn't a way to enforce it so you can kind of do it secretly. (Which I suggest because sometimes schools may give you less funding if they think you have money coming in from somewhere else) but again that is not always but it definitely happens. So there is not cap outside the campus working but it still may benefit you to not let them know you have other income! Hope that was helpful!

[@drakargibbs6687]

Quick question. I have 2 stipends posted in my account details on my school website. It was posted on 5/2. Does this mean that I’ll be receiving a check(s) soon

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! So every university is different, in some cases if you see it posted it could be in your account in matter of a couple business days. In other cases they may wait until the first day of the quarter to disperse your money. Other schools sometimes do it randomly (usually because processing is done manually and different people need to approve it). The best bet is to reach out to your financial aid directly and see what their posting schedule is!

[@pruthvirajgaikwad7241]

Could you tell me how much is the stipend for phd in molecular biology, I'm mostly looking for Elçin Ünal lab

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! unfortnately I cant! Every university and department is different, but you may be able to google your targeted program/university and search for their salaries!!

[@melikaameli3539]

What is your idea about 28000 yearly fund as a ta , in philadelphia ? Does it wort ?

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! So when I lived in Philly I had to take out student loans and I genuinely don't remember how much I received because I lived on campus almost all that money went directly to the school. But depending on where you go to school and what you prefer as housing arrangement. I think you could find a studio apartment in safe areas that can leave you enough money for the essentials and since philly has such good transit you wont need a car, gas, or parking. So I can see that money being okay. You won't be living lavish by no means, but I think it could work! What school are you going to?

[@melikaameli3539]

Thank you , I have an offer from drexel university. Also can you tell me if you have to choose among drexel and arizona state university , which one would be your best choice? 😉

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi!!! I think what matters the most is what fits you best!! I think this video may help you think through your decision! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGilo3VrbM9qoqc I dont know much about Arizona state university at all! Drexel is a great school and lovely campus but I have a bias since I lived in Philly very near Drexel at that!! Also I would also consider finding offers! But it's ultimately about your hopes and dreams!

[@vidhigandhi2823]

I was wondering if it is different for international students?

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! So the short answer is yes. International students are able to work to pay for graduate school, but some programs have working caps (which limits how many jobs/hours you are able to work) additionally, the additional benefits like tuition waivers may not cover the international fees. These things can be negotiated and/or supplemented by the department but it often is case by case.

[@pikusarker1359]

Mam how much will you earn after phd graduation? Plz reply. Thanks a lot.

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi!!! So it really depends on where you want to work after. Most fill time assistant faculty positions can be between $7,000-$9,000 a month. Pursuing post-docs which are full time but temporary contract positions that do not always pay very much. They often don't last more than 3 years and can be as short as 1 years. On average I would say they pay between $4,500-$7,000 a month. There are also unacademic jobs that range from $4,000 - 11,000 a month but those are less about just your degree and more about your skills. So currently I'll be expected the lower pay because of personal profesional desires BUT I will say the UC student workers are striking to increase pay so if we are successful the pay I'll be expecting should increase over 20k dollars!

[@talvinderkaur-17]

I am from india and i want to pursue a phD in education from California. Can you guide me on the expenses related to the phD, such as study costs, room rents and food? Do students receive a stipend for these expenses? Additionally, i will need money for visa expenses. If u know, please inform me as it would be very helpful for me. Am ur new subscriber 💫

[@talvinderkaur-17]

I have completed my master’s degree in education.

[@BrisaMarie]

Hi! Thank you for asking such important questions. A lot of the answer have to deal with each unique school, program, and even student. So I can't answer anything specific. I do have a playlist about grad funding in the US that has about 17 videos in it that might be helpful ( here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH20oZlnar-doqc) I high suggest this playlist because it will show a WIDE varietly of how grad school fund students, types of funding, misconceptions, and strategies to find funding. I can say, international students usually have a limit to how much they can work and often have higher tuition that is not always completely covered. But again this is very specific to each case. And may not be your experience, but it could. I hope this was helpful!

[@mdrafiqul2898]

The opportunity cost is huge if you decide for a phd!

[@BrisaMarie]

Of course! I definitely agree. In my case a PhD is totally worth it!

[@wyattanthony1652]

5:02

[@BrisaMarie]

Here is the current TA scales if it interests you! www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2022-23/april-2023-ase-gsr-postoc-salary-scales/t18.pdf

[@MrsMinajluver]

Does working this much give you enough time to do your PhD work?

[@BrisaMarie]

Honestly... yes and no. Its a lot and I'm constantly exhausted and I have experienced a lot of burn out. I still manage to get things done but it is not sustainable at all. Because of this I also picked a very straightforward phd topic to make sure I am able to advance through it quickly rather than need a lot of time doing research. So its possible but I do not recommend at all!

[@MrsMinajluver]

@@BrisaMarie haha thanks 😂. I’m stuck between a masters and PhD in criminology right now. Just trying to gauge all of what a PhD will demand of me. I know that for me, money is very important and I don’t wanna be a PhD student workaholic just to make a decent wage.

[@BrisaMarie]

Oh I think that is the best mentality! I would suggest you try and find as much funding before applying as possible! I do have videos on grad funding and how to find grants! Let me know if you need them!!

[@Rugtalk1]

PhD program sounds like you go through torture.

[@BrisaMarie]

Hahahah! Sometimes it really can feel like it. But for me (because others may/will disagree) I personally have way more positive experiences as a PhD student than negative. But I am very lucky! Many cannot say the same! Thank you for commenting!

[@adams6798]

So what is the benefits of getting a PhD?

[@BrisaMarie]

I think it really depends case by case! For some there is no benefit, for others it changes their life and is their dream!

[@joshua-sb2wq]

You re cute😮

[@BrisaMarie]

lol thanks