Quick Answer: Harvard University employs approximately 20,000 people across the central administration, 13 schools, and major research centers in Cambridge and Boston. (Harvard’s affiliated teaching hospitals — Massachusetts General Brigham, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Children’s, etc. — are separate institutions covered in our Healthcare hub.) Pay ranges from $22–$32/hr for service positions to $400,000+ for senior faculty. Apply through hr.harvard.edu/jobs. Harvard offers comprehensive benefits including a 403(b) plan and the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
Working at Harvard
Harvard University is a private nonprofit Carnegie R1 research university with approximately 20,000 employees across the central administration and 13 schools (including Harvard College, Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, the John F. Kennedy School of Government, the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences). Harvard’s affiliated teaching hospitals operate as separate legal entities covered in our Healthcare hub.
How to Apply at Harvard
- Create an account at hr.harvard.edu/jobs.
- Search by category (Staff, Faculty, Temporary, Student) or by Harvard school.
- Prepare resume, cover letter, and references.
- Faculty applications run through department-specific portals or ARIeS.
- Submit through the portal — background check required.
Harvard Pay Ranges
| Role | Pay |
|---|---|
| Custodial / Food Service / Grounds | $22–$32/hr |
| Skilled Trades | $38–$55/hr |
| Administrative Assistant | $55,000–$72,000 |
| Mid-career Manager | $90,000–$150,000 |
| Director / Senior Director | $160,000–$280,000+ |
| Assistant Professor | $130,000–$200,000 |
| Associate Professor | $170,000–$260,000 |
| Full Professor (humanities) | $220,000–$320,000 |
| Full Professor (medicine, law, business) | $300,000–$650,000+ |
Benefits at Harvard
Health insurance: Multiple medical plans including Harvard Pilgrim and other regional networks, plus dental and vision.
Retirement: Harvard offers a 403(b) Retirement Plan with substantial employer contribution after one year of service.
Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): Harvard’s TAP provides tuition assistance for eligible benefits-eligible staff for Harvard coursework and, in some cases, coursework at other accredited institutions. Harvard also offers a tuition reimbursement program for dependents at certain levels. Confirm specifics with HR.
How to Ask About Harvard Tuition Benefits
- Wait for the interview stage.
- Ask about Harvard’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and dependent tuition benefits: eligibility, percentage covered, and any service requirement.
- Confirm whether benefits extend to coursework at other institutions.
- Get specifics in writing in the offer letter.
Unions at Harvard
Harvard has substantial unionization for a private institution:
- HUCTW (Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers, AFSCME) — clerical, technical, and administrative staff
- HGSU-UAW — Harvard Graduate Students Union (UAW Local 5118)
- SEIU Local 26 — security and dining service workers
- Skilled Trades — building trades workers through respective national craft unions and Boston-area locals
Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized at Harvard. Harvard’s affiliated teaching hospitals have separate union structures covered in our Healthcare hub. Skilled trades workers at Harvard often pursue apprenticeships through Boston-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
Harvard employs thousands of students in residence halls, dining, library, recreation, and academic departments at hourly rates aligned with the Cambridge minimum wage. Graduate students serving as Teaching Fellows and Research Assistants are unionized through HGSU-UAW and receive tuition waiver, stipends, and health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply at Harvard?
Create an account at hr.harvard.edu/jobs, search by category or Harvard school, and submit your application materials.
What is the average pay at Harvard?
Service $22–$32/hr; mid-career staff $90,000–$150,000; faculty $130,000–$650,000+ depending on rank and discipline.
Does Harvard offer tuition benefits?
Yes — the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides tuition assistance for eligible staff, and Harvard offers dependent tuition benefits at certain levels. Confirm specifics with HR.
Are Harvard jobs unionized?
Many are. HUCTW represents clerical/technical staff; HGSU-UAW represents graduate workers; SEIU Local 26 represents security and dining workers. Tenure-stream faculty are not unionized.
What’s the difference between Harvard and Harvard hospital jobs?
Harvard’s affiliated teaching hospitals (Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Children’s, etc.) are separate legal entities. See our Healthcare hub for those positions.