Do research chemists really make such little money?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived low income of PhD research chemists, particularly in comparison to other professions, and the implications of pursuing a PhD in chemistry. Participants explore various factors influencing salary expectations, including industry choice, experience, and the nature of academic versus professional programs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the median income of $66,000 for PhD research chemists, questioning the return on investment for the extensive education required.
  • Another participant counters that many chemists with PhDs can earn around $100,000 after 10 years of experience, especially in pharmaceutical companies.
  • A third participant highlights the potential for higher salaries in the petroleum industry and notes that even those with only a bachelor's degree can start at $70,000.
  • Concerns are raised about the job market and workplace politics, suggesting that a PhD may not guarantee a high starting salary and that employers may be selective in hiring.
  • One participant advises against comparing chemistry PhDs to professional programs like pharmacy, citing differences in admission quotas and market demand that affect salary levels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on salary expectations for PhD chemists, with some believing that higher earnings are achievable over time, while others remain concerned about initial salaries and job market conditions. No consensus is reached on the overall financial outlook for research chemists.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge various factors that could influence salary, including industry choice, experience, and economic conditions, but do not resolve the implications of these factors on future earnings.

LogicX
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I looked up the median income for a PhD research chemist and it was a paltry $66,000. I'm planning on going to grad school to get a PhD, and while I love chemistry and it really isn't about the money, $66,000 just seems reaaaalllly low for what you have to put into it. 7 years of education, you have to write a thesis, the material is really hard... and you make less than someone who becomes a manager at a medium sized retail store?

I'm working harder than anyone I know, and it's really paying off. I study for 6+ hours a day most days, and because of that I have the highest grade in most of my chemistry classes I've taken. But that is no guarantee of a good job, and my friend who is getting a degree in political science, studies for like 2 hours a week, and plans to just go try to get into management somewhere could end up making more than me?

I just always figured that a PhD in a science like chemistry would pretty much guarantee $100,000+/year. Hell, pharmacists only go for 6 years and don't have to write a thesis, and they start out making around 100k.

I love chemistry and I'm going to pursue it no matter what, but it would just be nice if I knew that all this hard work will pay off in the end. I don't want to have a PhD and be driving to work in a junker car and go home to a studio apartment every day (which, if I'm not married, seems likely on an annual income of $66,000).

I'm just a little disheartened right now. I don't want to be super rich, but honestly I thought that working this hard on material that not everyone could even grasp, for 7+ years would net me more than that... I'm sure some people make more, but damn that average really surprised me.
 
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Where are you getting your data from? I think most chemists with PhDs would be banking about 100K after 10 years of experience or so.
http://www1.salary.com/Chemist-V-salary.html

Probably double that if you work for a pharmaceutical company.
 
What industry do you want to work in, or are you considering academic research? As far as academia goes, $66k still seems low. When I saw the published list of salaries of the profs at my university, they were earning, on average, >$80k.

If you work in the petroleum industry, you can earn *well* over $100k. They give guys with only 2 years of university chemistry $70k + 4-6 months vacation starting out.

However, it sounds like you're going to face the harsh reality of workplace politics when you get out of school. A Ph.D with no experience is a sad thing. What a higher-level degree does for you is raise any potential "ceilings" in your career. You may start out at a higher-level position or you may not; it depends entirely on the company, its hiring practices, its needs, and the current economic situation. Right now, you might find the job market frustrating. Because so many M.S.'s and Ph.D's, often WITH 3 years+ experience are out of work, employers can afford to be extremely choosey. They might hire a Ph.D to fill a position that would only require a B.S. pre-2008. That doesn't mean you won't need a Ph.D to get that job though--again, they're being choosey.

Ultimately though, you will find that your graduate degree will be worth it. It will open up more doors for you than you can imagine right now. You may not be bringing in $100k fresh out of grad school, but higher pay and much greater responsibilities will come a lot faster to you than to someone with just a B.S.
 
Don't compare with a so-called professional program such as pharmacy. These programs (like dentistry, law, medicine etc.) have a quota on the number of admitted students. This, much like a limited edition material product (such as a collectible), creates a scarcity which causes graduates to become "limited editions". This is what allows them to demand a higher salary than scientists who may study even longer (the economical principle of offer vs demand also applies to recent graduates!).

Of course, how (and whether) the quotas are justified is another issue, which is unfortunately not debated enough.
 

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