Graduate Assistant Job Classifications & Pay Rates
| Job Title | Qualifications | FLSA Classification | Hourly Rate (for non-exempt classifications)¹ | Quarterly Wages¹/Salary²/ Stipend³ at 20 hours per week. |
Academic Year Wages¹/Salary²/ Stipend³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Assistant | Matriculated in a Masters or PhD degree program | Non-exempt – Hourly | $11.36 - $17.42 | $2,500 - $3,833¹ | $7,500 - $11,500¹ |
| Graduate Grading Assistant | Matriculated in a Masters or PhD degree program | Non-exempt – Hourly | $11.36 - $17.42 | $2,500 - $3,833¹ | $7,500 - $11,500¹ |
| Graduate Technical Assistant | Matriculated in a Masters or PhD degree program | Non-exempt – Hourly | $11.36 - $17.42 | $2,500 - $3,833¹ | $7,500 - $11,500¹ |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant 1 | Matriculated in a Masters or PhD degree program | Exempt – Bi-weekly | N/A | $4,000 - $5,000² | $12,000 - $15,000² |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant 2 | PhD student in early years of study who has yet to take the qualifying exam | Exempt – Bi-weekly | N/A | $5,000 - $5,833² | $15,000 - $17,500² |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant 3 | PhD student who has passed the qualifying exam | Exempt – Bi-weekly | N/A | $5,000 - $5,833² | $15,000 - $17,500² |
| Graduate Research Assistant 1† | Matriculated in a Masters or PhD degree program | Student, not an employee – not subject to FLSA | N/A | $4,000 - $5,000³ | $12,000 - $15,000³ |
| Graduate Research Assistant 2† | PhD student in early years of study who has yet to take the qualifying exam | Student, not an employee – not subject to FLSA | N/A | $5,000 - $5,833³ | $15,000 - $17,500³ |
| Graduate Research Assistant 3† | PhD student who has passed the qualifying exam | Student, not an employee – not subject to FLSA | N/A | $5,000 - $6,666³ | $15,000 - $20,000³ |
¹ The illustrations for hourly classifications are based on a full-time academic-year graduate assistantship appointment (quarterly amount = hourly rate X 20 hours/week X 11 weeks; academic year amount = hourly rate X 20 hours per week X 33weeks). The graduate assistant’s actual earnings will vary based on the appointment level and actual hours worked.
² The GTA illustration is based on a full-time graduate assistantship appointment (i.e., 100% effort = ~20 hours per week). GTAs are paid a salary through the payroll process based on the appointment/level of effort indicated in the graduate teaching assistant’s offer letter.
³ The GRA illustration is based on a full-time graduate assistantship appointment (i.e., 100% effort = ~20 hours per week; however, GRAs will likely devote significantly more time to their academic research). GRAs are paid a stipend through the accounts payable process based on the appointment/level of effort indicated in the graduate assistant’s offer letter.
† GRA 1 – 3 must meet the following requirements: 1) matriculated in a Masters or Ph.D. degree program; 2) conducting original, professional-level research which is primarily for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements for an advanced degree (i.e., the research is related to the student’s field of study); 3) the research is performed under the supervision of an RIT faculty member; and, 4) the research environment is provided by RIT. Per the U.S. Department of Labor, no employment relations exists between the graduate student (who meets the criteria listed above) and the University; therefore, they are considered to be "students" not "employees" (i.e., not covered by the FLSA).
