Stipends for Duke GME trainees can be found here:
Duke and Durham have a lower cost of living than the home cities of most other major academic medical centers. Therefore, you can afford a higher standard of living with a comparable stipend. To compare COL in Durham with other cities see: Cost of Living Calculator (bestplaces.net).
Durham/Duke PGY-1 Stipend: $68,976
Example Cities | Stipend required for equivalent standard of living |
Nashville | $72, 938 |
Philadelphia | $74, 282 |
Chicago | $75, 980 |
Boston | $108, 522 |
Seattle | $118, 709 |
New York | $119, 275 |
San Francisco | $172, 617 |
Relocation Benefit
- $1,000 provided to GME trainees who are new employees of Duke University/Health System and are entering their first Duke GME program.
Technology Stipend
- $360 per year, paid in two increments, to offset cell phone plan costs.
Health Insurance Coverage
- Currently choice of 6 plans, two at no cost to trainees (Duke Select & Duke Basic)
- Trainees should note that 2 of these plans will be phased out in 2026 and one will remain at no cost to trainees (Duke Select).
- Discounted premiums for GME trainees (2026 Housestaff premiums)
- Dental and vision coverage
- https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/medical
403b Retirement Contribution
- Eligible after one year of employment and age 21
- Immediate vesting
- 4% contribution (no employee contribution required)
- Find more information on the Duke HR website here
Back-Up Care for Dependents
- 10 annual days of backup care at discounted rates using Bright Horizons' network of caregivers who provide care for your dependents when you have a disruption in your regular care.
- Bright Horizons' center-based care is $15 per child per day or $25 per family.
- Bright Horizons' in-home care for both children and adults is priced at $6 per hour.
Earned Wage Access Benefit
- Access portion of already earned wages outside of traditional page cycle
- Find more information here
Disability and Life Insurance
- Life Insurance- no cost to trainees
- $100K benefit with additional benefit for death/dismemberment—portable upon graduation
- Supplemental life insurance ($500K) for trainees who are required to do air transport in their training
- Base Disability Insurance- no cost to trainees
- 60% of stipend up to $4,000 per month
- Specialty-specific through retirement age
- Convertible to individual policy at graduation
- Supplemental Disability Insurance-optional at discounted rates
- Underwriting concessions, fully portable
- Specialty-specific, discounted rates
Professional Liability Insurance
Residents, Fellows and medical trainees enrolled in Duke Health Graduate Medical Education programs are provided professional liability insurance covering their activities within the course and scope of their work at Duke during their time at Duke. Coverage amounts are reasonable and customary for industry standards and tail coverage is provided through an extended reporting provision. Coverage confirmations and Claims Histories may be requested at INS-Risk_Management@dm.duke.edu. Other questions should be directed to DUHS Clinical Risk Management at (919) 684-3277.
Vacation/Leave Benefits
- Trainees eligible for DUHS parental leave policy (6 weeks paid leave)
- GME-specific policy for medical illness or caregiver leave
- 20 paid vacation days per year
- 8 paid days for acute illness, bereavement
- 2 paid days to schedule medical/dental appointments
Other Important Benefits
- Parking permit in premium deck at no cost to trainee (~$1,400 benefit annually)
- $15 per night meal benefit when on call
- On-campus gym for GME trainees only
- Labcoats for all trainees with annual refresh
- Financial consulting for insurance and financial planning
Health & Well-Being
- GME Premium appointments at Personal Assistance Services: 7 a.m., 5-7 p.m. appointments for GME trainees only, as well as normal appointment times https://pas.duke.edu/gme/
- Concierge service at Duke Primary Care for GME trainees to facilitate establishing care and scheduling appointments
- Live for Life: multiple programs, activities and assessments to help employees and their family achieve health and fitness goals. https://hr.duke.edu/wellness/live-life/services-programs
- Duke PERQS—discounts for employees at many local businesses and services. https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/employee-discounts
- Scheduling OB/Gyn Appointment: Residents and Fellows (and their partners) may call the main OB/Gyn appointment number 1 (919) 684-2471, to schedule OB/GYN care for your annual exams or problem visits. If a visit during the time frame you are seeking is not available, the caller will be transferred to the Duke Today team, who can assist with locating an available OB/GYN appointment at an appropriate clinic location. Click here for more information.