Federally Qualified Health Center · Teaching Health Center model · Coachella and Imperial Valleys, California

Resident salary and benefits

Competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and generous time off for rest and family.

Resident salaries 2027–2028
Training year Annual salary
PGY-1$78,000
PGY-2$80,500
PGY-3$83,500

Salaries for 2027–2028 are pending final institutional approval.

In addition to salary, residents receive up to $12,048 per year in housing and meal stipends, and a $2,000 annual education allowance, plus a one-time relocation stipend of up to $5,000.

Health and insurance

  • Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance
  • Professional liability coverage

Time off

  • 15 days of paid vacation per academic year
  • Up to 10 paid holidays per year (7 observed and 3 floating)
  • 40 hours (5 days) of paid sick leave per year
  • Bereavement leave: up to 5 paid days for an immediate family member; 3 days for extended family
  • Protected leave: at least six weeks of fully paid medical, parental, or caregiver leave once during training, with health and disability coverage maintained throughout
  • At least one additional week of paid time off, reserved for use outside the first six weeks of approved medical, parental, or caregiver leave

Stipends and allowances

  • Housing stipend: $500 per month ($6,000 per year)
  • Meal allowance: up to $18 per day (up to $6,048 per year)
  • Relocation stipend: up to $5,000
  • Education/CME allowance: up to $2,000 per year

Professional development

  • Education/CME allowance: up to $2,000 per year
  • Licensing support, including California Postgraduate Training License fees
  • Educational resources, including DEA registration, board review materials, and journal and point-of-care subscriptions

Loan relief and cost of living

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): as employees of a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, residents may make qualifying PSLF payments on federal Direct Loans from their first day of residency. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Loan repayment after residency: graduates who practice at sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas, including Innercare, may qualify for federal and state loan repayment programs such as the National Health Service Corps.
  • Housing costs in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys are significantly lower than in many California metropolitan areas, so salaries and stipends go further.