Total Compensation

Harvard’s Total Compensation Package

As one of the largest employers in Massachusetts, Harvard University understands the importance of employee satisfaction and work/life balance and works diligently to ensure that employees receive a competitive total compensation package. What is total compensation? Total compensation is the pay, benefits, work/life supports and services provided to employees.

This section was created to provide potential applicants with an overview of this compensation package, which rivals that of other employers. Additional information about Harvard’s Total Rewards.

Compensation philosophy

Harvard’s compensation practices ensure that the University attracts and retains highly skilled, talented employees and rewards performance. The compensation system for staff is designed to promote pay equity, fairness and consistency across Harvard ensure pay rates that are competitive in the market be flexible enough to respond to changing internal and external circumstances.

Salary reflects individual qualifications, skills and performance, and is competitive with that offered by our peer in higher education and the private sector. But pay at Harvard is only one part of a total compensation package including benefits, discounts, access to services, education and time off.

For employees represented by a union at Harvard, pay practices are established by the collective bargaining process. Additional information regarding Harvard University’s salary grade ranges.