Harvard Kennedy School Salary

How much does the Harvard Kennedy School Pay for employees?

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Harvard Kennedy School in the United States is $49. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $102,579. Salaries at Harvard Kennedy School typically range from $43 to $56 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company. Harvard Kennedy School’s salaries are influenced by a wide range of factors including job role, department, years of experience, and location.
DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.

How Much Does Harvard Kennedy School Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Harvard Kennedy School. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for popular roles within the company, helping you benchmark potential earnings. Use 'View by Card/Table' option to find the data most relevant to your career path.
DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.
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Current Job Openings at Harvard Kennedy School

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Harvard Kennedy School. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Harvard Kennedy School’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Harvard Kennedy School’s compensation stack up against the market? This analysis visualizes their hourly average salary compared to its industry benchmark and key peer companies.
Peer Company & Industry Benchmarking
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Average Salary ($/year)
Harvard Kennedy School
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Woodridge Park District
American Religious Town Hall Meeting Inc
Industry Comparison
Our data shows that, on average, compensation at Harvard Kennedy School is below the average for the U.S. Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry by approximately 11%. This positioning suggests their pay is below the market average within their sector.
Peer Company Comparison
To provide a broader market perspective, we compared Harvard Kennedy School average annual salary with several similar companies. Harvard Kennedy School average salary of $102,579 is higher than Woodridge Park District, which has an average salary of $98,961. It is higher than American Religious Town Hall Meeting Inc, with their average salary at $89,236. This places Harvard Kennedy School in a competitive position among its peers.
See Your True Competitors
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Employee Reviews: Working at Harvard Kennedy School

Considering a career at Harvard Kennedy School? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Truly a pleasure to engage with for both long- and short-term projects. The onboarding and training experience were excellent, providing a smooth transition into my role. Working here means being part of a team dedicated to making a real difference in education and government services. This institution truly lives its values. They are open to new ideas for efficiency and effectiveness, from digita...
The schedule is predictable, which helps maintain a strong work-life balance. Resources and tools provided support productivity, and the environment promotes learning and inclusiveness. It’s a good fit for someone looking for long-term stability and it is for those seeking fast-paced challenges or innovation. Training programs are solid, and leadership encourages feedback and innovation. Leadershi...
Stable job with steady hours, but career progression can take time. Made archival retrieval instant. Disaster preparedness plans.
Teams are courteous, but collaboration can be minimal between departments. The pace is deliberate. Processes can take time but structured.
The organization adapts quickly to changing needs and technology. Inclusive culture with diverse perspectives welcomed. Benefits are decent, not outstanding. There’s strong alignment between mission and daily operations.

Harvard Kennedy School Overview

Website
www.hks.harvard.edu
Founded In
Data pending, update soon.
Employees
50 - 100 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
79 Jfk St Cambridge Massachusetts MA 02138
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 6174951100
Social Media
About Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), officially the John F. Kennedy School of Government, is the school of public policy and government of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school offers master's degrees in public policy, public administration, and international development, four doctoral degrees, and various executive education programs. It conducts research in subjects relating to pol

What Benefits Does Harvard Kennedy School Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Harvard Kennedy School offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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How Much Should You Be Earning?

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What Is the Cost of Living Near Cambridge?

Understanding the cost of living near Cambridge is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Harvard Kennedy School.
Cambridge's Cost of Living Index is approximately 197.8 (97.8% more expensive than US average; 49.2% more than MA average). Home to Harvard/MIT, extremely high housing costs, very high overall expenses. MBTA. When planning your budget based on a salary from Harvard Kennedy School, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,800 - $4,200+ A significant portion of Harvard Kennedy School salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $180 - $290 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $90 (MBTA LinkPass monthly) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $520 - $800 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $600 - $1,100+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $460 - $880+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $4,650 - $7,270+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Harvard Kennedy School

1. How much does a Harvard Kennedy School employee make?

Harvard Kennedy School pays its employees an average of $49 per hour. The average salary at Harvard Kennedy School range from $43 to $56 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Harvard Kennedy School?

The salary at Harvard Kennedy School is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Harvard Kennedy School is $102,579, or an hourly wage of $49, in comparison to Woodridge Park District which pays $98,961 per year or $48 per hour.

3. How much does a Founder & President typically earn at Harvard Kennedy School?

A Founder & President at Harvard Kennedy School typically earns an average hourly base salary of around $382, with a general range of $290 to $487.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Harvard Kennedy School?

In many roles at Harvard Kennedy School, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Cambridge affect the perceived value of a Harvard Kennedy School salary?

Cambridge's Cost of Living Index is approximately 197.8 (97.8% more expensive than US average; 49.2% more than MA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Harvard Kennedy School based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Cambridge" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Harvard Kennedy School typically offer employees?

Harvard Kennedy School generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Harvard Kennedy School" section on this page.