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The New Doctoral Salary Scale

Spring 2026 saw the adoption of a new local collective agreement concerning the salary progression scale for doctoral students at KTH. The agreement enters into force on 1 October 2026. The new doctoral salary scale is time-based and is determined by net study time.

The New Doctoral Salary Scale

A new collective agreement regarding the doctoral salary scale was adopted in April 2026 and comes into effect in October 2026. Read the agreement here  (pdf 193 kB)

Salary progression takes place when you have reached the net study time required for the next salary level in the doctoral salary scale. Progression is calculated based on the accumulated study activity recorded in Ladok. 

The four steps

0-200% study activity: Step 1

201-400% study activity: Step 2

401-600% study activity: Step 3

601-800% study activity: Step 4

KTH will review the salaries of currently employed doctoral students as the agreement takes effect.

This review will involve checking the doctoral student's current salary level against accumulated study time from Ladok (data up to and including June 30, 2026). Doctoral students currently at an incorrect salary level will be moved up to the correct level. The new salary for those affected will be paid out with the November salary (retroactive to October 1).

Doctoral students who are found to be on an incorrect salary step will be moved to the appropriate step. The adjusted salary will be paid no later with the November payroll and applied retroactively from 1 October 2026.

A process for regularly reviewing salary steps against registered study activity in Ladok is currently being developed.