Salary & Benefits
Kaiser Permanente provides its residents and fellows with a compensation program that is highly competitive in today’s market. We approach salary and benefits as a total compensation package: wage programs, pay practices, paid time off, educational leave, and ancillary benefits such as child and elder care, are all part of a compensation structure that sustains a comfortable quality of life for our residents and fellows.
Salary
Select desired link below, under 2026-2027 Academic Year Salary Structure.
Healthcare Benefits
- Medical
- Major Medical
- Outside Mental Health
- Dental
When Do Benefits Start?
| Benefit | When it begins |
| Dental Coverage | First day following 3 months of employment |
| Disability Insurance | Hire date |
| Life and Accident Insurance | Hire date |
| Medical Coverage | First of the month after your hire date, or on your hire date if you start work on the first of the month |
| Pension Plan | 1 year of employment with 1,000 hours |
| Sick Leave | Hire date |
| Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan | 2 years of employment |
| Survivor Assistance | Hire date |
| Tax Sheltered Annuity Plan or Tax Savings Retirement Plan | Hire date |
| Vacation | Hire date |
Health Insurance Coverage for New Residents and Fellows
Health insurance coverage for residents and fellows, including eligible dependents, begins on the first of the month following your start date, or on your hire date if you start work on the first of the month.
If you begin training mid-month, you may have a brief gap in coverage. The following options are available to bridge that period.
COBRA / Cal-COBRA Continuation
If you had employer-sponsored coverage at your prior institution, you may elect to continue that plan under federal COBRA or Cal-COBRA. You will pay the full premium, but coverage remains uninterrupted. You must elect within 60 days of your prior coverage ending.
Covered California (ACA Marketplace)
Starting a new job may qualify as a life event, opening a 60-day special enrollment window. Plans are available month-to-month and can be cancelled once your KP coverage begins. Income-based subsidies may apply. Visit coveredca.com or call (800) 300-1506.
Off-Exchange ACA Plans
ACA-compliant plans can be purchased at any time with no enrollment window required. These plans provide immediate coverage with no waiting period.
Spouse or Domestic Partner’s Plan
Starting a new job is typically a qualifying life event allowing you and your dependents to be added to a spouse or domestic partner’s employer plan mid-year. Contact their HR or benefits administrator promptly, as enrollment windows are generally 30–60 days.
Parent’s Plan
If you are under 26, you may be eligible to join or remain on a parent’s health insurance plan regardless of your marital status, student status, place of residence, or whether you are financially dependent on your parent. This is a federal protection under the Affordable Care Act and applies to most employer-sponsored and individual health plans.
Vacation
3 Weeks of paid vacation per year. One additional week of educational time*
*as approved by Program Director
Holidays
There are seven paid holidays per year. Holidays include: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Housing Stipend
ACGME residents or fellows are eligible for a Housing Stipend. The full-year amount varies by medical center. Please see below for details.
| Medical Center | Full Year Amount |
| Los Angeles | $12,000 |
| Orange County | $10,000 |
| Riverside | $8,000 |
| San Bernardino County | $8,000 |
| San Diego | $10,000 |
| Woodland Hills | $10,000 |
Educational Expenses
As a Kaiser Permanente resident or fellow you are eligible for reimbursement for the following educational and license fees incurred while completing your training with us.
- USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Step 3 Exam
- California Postgraduate Training License
- California Medical License & Renewal(starting in PGY-4)
- DEA Certificate (starting in PGY-2)
- One ABMS Board examination, actual cost, up to $2000
- Academic Society Membership (2)
- Approved Educational Materials, reimbursed up to $500/year
- Approved travel expenses to present your own Scholarly Activity, reimbursed up to twice per year
Professional Expenses
- Specialty-required professional equipment, per policy
- ACLS, PALS, NRP as required by specialty
- BLS for Health Care
- Lab Coats
- Parking
Sick Leave and Disability
Sick leave is provided. Short-term disability insurance is available for a nominal charge through payroll deduction. A parental leave policy has been established.
Parental Leave
In accordance with ACGME Institutional Requirements IV.H.1., residents/fellows are eligible for up to six weeks of approved medical, parental, and caregiver leave(s) of absence for qualifying reasons consistent with applicable laws once and at any time after their start date.
Further, residents/fellows are eligible for an additional one week of paid time off reserved for use outside of the first six weeks of the approved medical, parental, or caregiver leave(s) of absence.
Malpractice Coverage
Medical malpractice insurance is provided to you within our medical center by the Southern California Permanente Medical Group.
Meal Allowance
A meal allowance is provided.
Sleeping Rooms
Private rooms are provided when you are on call.
Additional Income
With the approval of the Program Director, licensed residents and fellows may be able to earn additional income through moonlighting opportunities. If approved to work and participate, the number of hours worked as a per diem physician counts as hours worked (Please refer to the Policies and Procedures or Speak with your Program Director and RPA).
2026-2027 Academic Year Salary Structure
-
Residency Programs
PGY1 PGY2 PGY3 PGY4 PGY5 PGY6 $88,904 $91,726 $95,148 $100,277 $104,605 $111,693 -
Fellowship Programs
PGY-4 PGY-5 PGY-6 PGY-7 PGY-8 $100,277 $104,605 $111,693 $118,355 $121,792
2026-2027 Benefit Package At-a-Glance
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Residency Programs
PGY1 – PGY6
PGY1 PGY2 PGY3 PGY4 PGY5 PGY6 Salary $88,904 Salary $91,726 Salary $95,148 Salary $100,277 Salary $104,605 Salary $111,693 USMLE Step 3 $895 CML if joining a training program $808 Educational Materials $500 Educational Materials $500 COMLEX Level 3 $890 CML if continuing in the same training program $416.50 Postgraduate Training License (PTL) Application $495 DEA $880 Educational Materials $500 Educational Materials $500 Educational Materials $700 Educational Materials $500 -
Fellowship Programs
PGY-4 PGY-5 PGY-6 PGY-7 PGY-8 Salary $100,277 Salary $104,605 Salary $111,693 Salary $118,355 Salary $121,792 Educational Materials $500 Educational Materials $500 Educational Materials $500 Educational Materials $500 Educational Materials $500