Salaries at Leiden

At Leiden University, located in the Netherlands, salary expectations for academic and administrative staff are typically determined by factors such as role, experience, academic rank, and field of expertise. Salaries often follow the collective labor agreement (CAO) for Dutch universities, which provides standardized pay scales based on job classification and seniority. While Leiden University does not always publish detailed individual salary data publicly, the CAO framework offers transparent salary bands for various positions, ensuring fairness and consistency across institutions in the Netherlands. These scales are periodically updated to reflect inflation and other economic factors.

• PhD Candidate: Typically earns between €2,500 and €3,200 per month (approximately $2,700–$3,450 USD), depending on the year of their program. Salaries increase annually as part of a structured progression.
• Postdoctoral Researcher: Average salary ranges from €3,500 to €4,500 per month (approximately $3,800–$4,850 USD), influenced by experience and research funding availability.
• Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent): Earns between €3,800 and €5,800 per month (approximately $4,100–$6,250 USD), depending on seniority and academic achievements.
• Associate Professor (Universitair Hoofddocent): Typically earns €5,200 to €7,000 per month (approximately $5,600–$7,550 USD), with potential bonuses tied to research grants or leadership roles.
• Full Professor: Salaries range from €6,000 to €10,000+ per month (approximately $6,500–$10,800+ USD), reflecting significant experience and contributions to the field.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Earns between €2,300 and €4,000 per month (approximately $2,500–$4,300 USD), based on role complexity and years of service.

Salaries at Leiden University are generally competitive within the Dutch higher education sector, aligning with public sector benchmarks set by the national CAO agreements. Career progression often involves moving through predefined pay scales, with opportunities for increases based on performance, additional responsibilities, or securing external research funding. Compared to private sector roles, university salaries may be more modest, but they come with benefits such as job security, pension schemes, and generous leave policies. For international candidates, the cost of living in the Netherlands should also be considered when evaluating salary adequacy.