Quick Answer: Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois employs approximately 15,000 people across the academic, research, and operations enterprise. (Northwestern Memorial HealthCare is a separate workforce covered in our Healthcare hub.) Pay ranges from $18–$25/hr for service positions to $300,000+ for senior faculty in premium fields. Apply through careers.northwestern.edu. Northwestern offers comprehensive benefits including tuition reduction for employees and dependents.
Working at Northwestern
Northwestern University is a private Big Ten R1 research university with primary campuses in Evanston (undergraduate, most graduate programs) and Chicago (Feinberg School of Medicine, Pritzker School of Law, Kellogg School of Management). Approximately 15,000 employees support academic, research, professional staff, athletics, food service, and facilities operations. Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, the affiliated academic medical center, employs another large workforce covered in our Healthcare hub.
How to Apply at Northwestern
All applications run through careers.northwestern.edu:
- Create an applicant account.
- Search by category (Staff, Faculty, Temporary, Student).
- Prepare resume, cover letter, and references; faculty positions require CV and research/teaching statements.
- Submit through the portal — email applications are not accepted.
- Background check required.
Northwestern Pay Ranges
| Role | Pay |
|---|---|
| Custodial / Food Service / Grounds | $18–$25/hr |
| Skilled Trades | $32–$48/hr |
| Administrative Assistant | $45,000–$60,000 |
| Mid-career Manager | $75,000–$120,000 |
| Director / Senior Director | $125,000–$220,000+ |
| Assistant Professor | $95,000–$150,000 |
| Associate Professor | $120,000–$180,000 |
| Full Professor (humanities) | $160,000–$240,000 |
| Full Professor (medicine, law, business) | $240,000–$500,000+ |
Benefits at Northwestern
Health insurance: Multiple medical plans including HMO, PPO, and HSA-compatible options, plus dental and vision.
Retirement: 403(b) plan with employer matching contribution, plus voluntary supplemental contribution options.
Tuition reduction: Northwestern offers a tuition reduction benefit for eligible employees, spouses, and dependent children. Eligibility, percentage covered, and rules vary by program type and employee category. Confirm specifics with HR during the application process.
How to Ask About Tuition Reduction
- Wait for the interview stage.
- Ask: “Could you walk me through the tuition reduction program for employees in this role? I’d like to understand eligibility, percentage covered, whether dependents qualify, and any service requirement.”
- Request specifics in writing in the offer letter.
- Confirm whether dependents can apply the benefit at other schools (Northwestern’s plan reportedly includes some partner-institution coverage).
Unions at Northwestern
As a private institution in Illinois, Northwestern’s union footprint is moderate:
- SEIU Local 1 — service workers (custodial, dining, grounds)
- NUGW — Northwestern University Graduate Workers
- FOP or local bargaining unit — campus police
Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized at Northwestern. Northwestern Memorial HealthCare has separate union structures covered in our Healthcare hub. Skilled trades workers at Northwestern often pursue apprenticeships through Chicago-area union locals — see our Learn a Trade hub for guides on IBEW electrical training, plumber and HVAC apprenticeships, and other building-trade pathways, plus our Union vs Non-Union Apprenticeship comparison.
Student Employment
Northwestern employs thousands of students in residence halls, dining services, library systems, and academic departments at hourly rates aligned with Evanston/Chicago minimum wage. Graduate students serve as Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, and Lecturers with tuition remission, stipends, and health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply at Northwestern?
Create an account at careers.northwestern.edu, search by category, and submit your application materials through the portal.
What is the average pay at Northwestern?
Service $18–$25/hr; mid-career staff $75,000–$120,000; faculty $95,000–$500,000+ depending on rank and discipline.
Does Northwestern offer tuition reduction?
Yes — for eligible employees, spouses, and dependent children. Specifics should be confirmed with HR during the application process.
Are Northwestern jobs unionized?
Some categories. SEIU Local 1 represents service workers; NUGW represents graduate workers. Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized.
What’s the difference between Northwestern jobs and Northwestern Medicine jobs?
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Northwestern Medicine are separate health-system enterprises. See our Healthcare hub for those positions.