Quick Answer: Stanford University employs approximately 16,000 people on the main academic campus in Stanford, California. (Stanford Health Care, the affiliated academic medical center, is a separate ~17,000-employee enterprise covered in our Healthcare hub.) Pay ranges from $25–$35/hr for service positions to $400,000+ for senior faculty. Apply through careersearch.stanford.edu. Stanford offers comprehensive benefits including a 403(b) retirement plan with generous employer contribution and tuition reimbursement.
Working at Stanford
Stanford University is a private nonprofit Carnegie R1 research university and one of the most selective employers in higher education. The main campus employs approximately 16,000 in academic, research, professional staff, athletics, library, food service, and operations roles. Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, the affiliated academic medical centers, employ another large workforce covered in our Healthcare hub.
How to Apply at Stanford
- Create an account at careersearch.stanford.edu.
- Search by job category (Staff, Faculty, Postdoctoral, Student).
- Faculty applications often go through department-specific portals or Interfolio.
- Prepare resume, cover letter, and references; faculty positions need CV, research/teaching statements, and letters of recommendation.
- Submit through the portal — background check required.
Stanford Pay Ranges
| Role | Pay |
|---|---|
| Custodial / Food Service / Grounds | $25–$35/hr |
| Skilled Trades | $42–$60/hr |
| Administrative Assistant | $60,000–$80,000 |
| Mid-career Manager | $95,000–$160,000 |
| Director / Senior Director | $170,000–$300,000+ |
| Assistant Professor | $130,000–$200,000 |
| Associate Professor | $170,000–$260,000 |
| Full Professor (humanities) | $220,000–$320,000 |
| Full Professor (medicine, law, business, engineering) | $320,000–$700,000+ |
Stanford operates in one of the highest cost-of-living regions in the U.S.; pay reflects this premium.
Benefits at Stanford
Health insurance: Multiple medical plans including Stanford-affiliated networks, plus dental and vision.
Retirement: Stanford Contributory Retirement Plan (SCRP) — a 403(b) with substantial employer contribution after one year of service.
Tuition reimbursement: Stanford offers a Staff Tuition Reimbursement Program for eligible employees and a Stanford Pre-Approved Tuition Reimbursement (SPATR) for specific approved programs. Stanford also offers a Children of Stanford Employees Tuition Grant Program with notable benefits for dependent children attending qualified institutions. Confirm specifics with HR.
How to Ask About Stanford Tuition Benefits
- Wait for the interview stage.
- Ask: “Could you walk me through the staff tuition reimbursement program and the Children of Stanford Employees Tuition Grant Program? I’d like to understand eligibility, percentage covered, and any service requirement.”
- Stanford’s dependent benefit can be highly valuable — ensure you understand which institutions and programs qualify.
- Get specifics in writing in the offer letter.
Unions at Stanford
Stanford has a moderate union footprint compared to public-sector peers:
- SEIU Local 2007 — service workers (custodial, food service, dining)
- Stanford Graduate Workers Union — graduate workers (active organizing in recent years)
- Skilled Trades — building trades workers represented through respective national craft unions and Bay Area locals
Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized at Stanford. Stanford Health Care has separate union structures covered in our Healthcare hub. Skilled trades workers at Stanford often pursue apprenticeships through Bay 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
Stanford employs thousands of students in residence halls, dining, library, and academic departments at hourly rates aligned with the local minimum wage and Stanford’s living-wage policy. Graduate students serving as Teaching Assistants and Research Assistants receive tuition waiver, stipends, and health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply at Stanford?
Create an account at careersearch.stanford.edu, search by category, and submit your application materials. Faculty applications often go through department-specific portals.
What is the average pay at Stanford?
Service $25–$35/hr; mid-career staff $95,000–$160,000; faculty $130,000–$700,000+ depending on rank and discipline.
Does Stanford offer tuition benefits?
Yes — Staff Tuition Reimbursement Program for employees, plus the Children of Stanford Employees Tuition Grant Program for dependents. Confirm specifics with HR.
Are Stanford jobs unionized?
Some categories. SEIU Local 2007 represents service workers; the Stanford Graduate Workers Union has organized graduate workers. Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized.
What’s the difference between Stanford and Stanford Health Care jobs?
Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital are separate academic medical-center enterprises. See our Healthcare hub for those positions.