- #1
dsanz
- 42
- 2
Hello everyone,
I'm about to finish my undergrad physics degree, and I'm going to apply to a US grad school for a physics PhD. I'm not from the US. Once I get my PhD, the logical next step would be to look for a postdoc position in the US, as I want to dedicate myself to physics and possibly follow a career in the academia.
Anyway, I've heard salaries for physics postdocs go in the 30k - 50k per year range (I've read of some jobs that offer even more, like 60k). I have close to no idea of what this kind of salary can afford in the US. Would you have enough to maybe take some vacations, or would it be just enough to get by? I suppose you could live well by yourself with this salary, but what about having a wife and children?
I know it all depends on what your standards are, like going out a lot on weekends, wanting expensive clothes, etc. But I would greatly appreciate some rough estimates on the kind of life one could afford with a postdoc position. By the way, I'm not looking to live in this super expensive city, like NY or LA. I don't spend a lot, but I wouldn't want to have financial issues.
Any first hand experiences would be very nice. Thank you.
I'm about to finish my undergrad physics degree, and I'm going to apply to a US grad school for a physics PhD. I'm not from the US. Once I get my PhD, the logical next step would be to look for a postdoc position in the US, as I want to dedicate myself to physics and possibly follow a career in the academia.
Anyway, I've heard salaries for physics postdocs go in the 30k - 50k per year range (I've read of some jobs that offer even more, like 60k). I have close to no idea of what this kind of salary can afford in the US. Would you have enough to maybe take some vacations, or would it be just enough to get by? I suppose you could live well by yourself with this salary, but what about having a wife and children?
I know it all depends on what your standards are, like going out a lot on weekends, wanting expensive clothes, etc. But I would greatly appreciate some rough estimates on the kind of life one could afford with a postdoc position. By the way, I'm not looking to live in this super expensive city, like NY or LA. I don't spend a lot, but I wouldn't want to have financial issues.
Any first hand experiences would be very nice. Thank you.