Wages: Know the facts
In 2026, the average graduate worker employed as a teaching assistant at Cornell makes $48,912 annually before taxes. This means that graduate workers at Cornell are paid $2614 below a living wage in Tompkins County, and fellows fare even worse. Furthermore, data shows that graduate wages have historically spiked during unionization efforts. In fact, before workers voted to unionize under UE (United Electric), wages were trending downwards. This means that Cornell’s default modus operandi is to invest its money in Israel and flashy new buildings until the workers who make the university run threaten them with a strike.
executive salaries at Cornell skyrocketed in the 2020s.
Total executive compensation in dollars by financial year.
cornell only increases wages when threatened by unionization efforts.
Cornell stipends over time, with unionization efforts marked by orange dotted lines.
the cost of living for grad workers in ithaca
Rent: $1489.00 on average.
Food: $341.07 on average.
Cornell Childcare: $1779 for 5 days a week at least.
