Doctoral salaries

There is a specific salary scale applicable to doctoral students. Newly employed doctoral students will normally be placed on the initial salary set by LTH. Doctoral students will then receive a salary rise after completing each stage of their doctoral studies in accordance with the salary scale established by LTH. In addition to this, doctoral students' salaries are increased by a standard amount that is determined in connection with each salary review.

For doctoral students who started their doctoral studies before August 1, 2023, the sum of salary increases for the total number of stages amounts to SEK 2,800.

Salary setting for doctoral students who start their doctoral studies on August 1, 2023 or later is regulated in the Local Collective Agreement on Salary Setting for Doctoral Students. The sum of salary increases for the total number of stages amounts to SEK 3,500 from August 1, 2023.

Salary stages at LTH

The dean of LTH, has decided (STYR 2025/1049) to delegate to each head of department to establish a procedure for registering stage increases in Primula for doctoral students at 120 credits and 180 credits respectively.

The principal supervisor together with the head of department assesses how many higher education credits the doctoral student has achieved and preferably has a reconciliation at the annual update of the individual study plan.

The stage lift form is a basis for registration of competence and salary increase in Primula. It is only possible to pay the salary increase retroactively for a maximum of 6 months.

The practical handling is handled by the department or in some cases by the faculty. The form for a step increase must be diarised at the department and a copy of the form must be sent to the LTH office for registration by the HR administrator via the case management system.

Form for raising doctoral salary in line with completed stage of studies (Staff pages) 

Look for the heading Etapplyft för doktorander. The form is available in both Swedish and English.

Employed as a doctoral student before August 1 2023

• 60 higher education credits – SEK 1,100
• 120 higher education credits – SEK 1,100
• 180 higher education credits – SEK 600
• On completing doctoral studies – SEK 1,500 (paid at the end of the month following graduation)

Employed as a doctoral student after August 1 2023

• 120 higher education credits – SEK 2 300
• 180 higher education credits - SEK1 200
• On completing doctoral studies – SEK 1,500 (paid at the end of the month following graduation)

Initial salary for doctoral students at LTH

Doctoral Salaries 2025 (in Swedish) dnr STYR 2025/2538 (PDF, 229 kB, new tab)