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Trainee Perks, Benefits, and Travel

Trainee Perks

San Diego, known as “America’s Finest City” is world renowned for its beautiful beaches and year-round temperate climate. The University and division both provide many benefits for UCSD trainees to make life in San Diego even more enjoyable. Please see below for a summary of benefits for trainees. For more information, please visit the Graduate Medical Education (GME) website.

Salary

  • Current annual salary for the 2024-2025 academic year is $86,819 for PGY-1. More information can be found here.

Medical, Dental, and Retirement Benefits

  • UCSD covers all of the cost of medical, dental, vision and other insurance premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
  • In lieu of Social Security, a total of 7.5% of pre-tax pay is directed to the University of California’s Defined-Contribution Plan.
  • UCSD trainees are eligible to participate in voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans.

Stipends and Reimbursements

  • An annual education stipend of $750 is provided.
  • An annual housing stipend of $1000 is provided.
  • A Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) license and number are provided free-of-charge.
  • The full cost of a state of California medical license is paid by the GME office. Renewal fees are also covered.
  • A monthly on-call meal allowance of $200 is provided.

Travel

  • Travel expenses to conferences at which trainees have had submissions accepted will be covered by the division

Vacation

  • A total of four weeks of vacation is provided.

Simulation Center

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