Total Compensation

What is Total Compensation?

While salary is an important consideration, NIH provides many other forms of compensation that significantly contribute to an employee’s overall experience and make NIH a competitive employer.  This concept of “Total Compensation” includes not only salary, but also the benefits, awards, leave, retirement and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.  The following are just some of the many ways that NIH recognizes employee contributions. 

For personalized information on the total value of the benefits described here, NIH employees can access the GRB Platform.  This tool allows employees to view and print a Total Compensation Statement that provides a comprehensive picture of their tangible compensation, including salary, benefits and retirement information. Additionally, please see an example of total compensation for a full-time, permanent, GS-13, Step 1 NIH employee working in Bethesda, MD, in 2024.

Several of the benefits described below are discretionary incentives that may be negotiated prior to Federal employment and are further described in the discretionary benefits guide

Attracting and retaining top-level talent in a variety of different scientific, clinical, technical and administrative areas is key to accomplishing NIH’s mission.  In addition to the work accomplished by the employee population, NIH accomplishes its mission through the contributions of fellows, volunteers and contractors who are not considered part of NIH’s permanent employee workforce.  Information specific to these types of employment is at the bottom of this page.

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Salary

Salary

Salary

Additional Compensation

Additional Compensation

Additional Compensation

Retirement

Retirement

Retirement

Holidays and Leave

Holidays and Leave

Holidays and Leave

Insurance

Insurance

Insurance

Additional Benefits

Additional Benefits

Additional Benefits

Fellows and Other Staff

Fellows & Other Staff

Fellows and Other Staff