Mathematicians and physicist underpaid

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived underpayment of mathematicians and physicists compared to other professions, such as nursing and technical jobs. Participants explore the financial realities of graduate studies in math and physics, including stipends, tuition waivers, and job prospects post-graduation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that math and physics courses are significantly more difficult than many other programs, yet graduates are underpaid compared to fields like nursing and technical jobs.
  • A participant mentions that graduate students in physics often earn less than minimum wage when considering their workload and expenses.
  • Questions arise about the actual financial compensation for graduate students, with some noting that tuition is often waived, leading to a stipend of around $9,000 per year for a 20-hour work week.
  • One participant compares the starting wage of graduate students to part-time jobs at retail stores, suggesting that the pay is not competitive.
  • Another participant shares salary comparisons between math teachers and nurses, arguing that math graduates are underpaid despite the good salaries of nurses.
  • Some participants highlight the challenges of teaching, including heavy workloads and lack of benefits, while others note that teaching can be rewarding for those who enjoy it.
  • There are mentions of alternative career paths for math graduates, including working in retail or as tutors, with varying opinions on the viability of these options.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the comparison of salaries between mathematicians, physicists, and other professions. Multiple competing views exist regarding the financial realities of graduate studies and the value of teaching roles.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about salaries and working conditions are based on personal experiences and may not represent broader trends. There are unresolved questions about the full financial picture for graduate students, including the impact of tuition waivers and living expenses.

Serbian.matematika
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Such difficult courses (math & physics) comparing to the many, many other programs but sooooo underpaid comparing to; physiotherapists, electricians, nurses, ultrasound technicians, garbage pickers, etc.

Sooooooo difficult to get a job in those fields (math & physics) and starting salaries are "embarassing".
 
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During an especially boring classical mechanics lecture, a few of my fellow compatriots and I calculated that we make less than minimum wage as grad students.

You've got to want it! Or so they say
 
but what exactly is that "less than minimum wage"? is that in addition tuition, living,.. expenses. I've been wondering how much money do you really receive in grad school. I might need to start a separate post for that, though.
 
brentd49 said:
but what exactly is that "less than minimum wage"? is that in addition tuition, living,.. expenses. I've been wondering how much money do you really receive in grad school. I might need to start a separate post for that, though.

One of my professors was talken to me about grad school students. He said they normally can get tuitions waved and end up making about $9k a year and only work 20 hours a week here.
 
Hmm... I wonder if my physics degree will help me break into the garbage picking industry...
 
Believe it or not, garbage collectors make a good living.

PL
 
Yah they get a damn good salary...
 
Pengwuino said:
One of my professors was talken to me about grad school students. He said they normally can get tuitions waved and end up making about $9k a year and only work 20 hours a week here.
$9000/12months/80hours= 9.375
it is about the starting wage if you work in bestbuy at dallas
i am a freshman student in math major, and two of my jobs are paying 8.5 and 10 dollars per hours (unrelated to mathematic, but it requires professional skill).
so yea... think about it b4 you major in math and science
most students still end up teaching.
 
Last edited:
$9.38/hour starting wage at best buy?? Thats almost 50% higher then the minimum wage
 
  • #10
$9 is decent pay for a part time job. I wouldn't plan on starting a family on a $9/hr job.
 
  • #11
I wouldn't plan on starting a family with a part time job :P
 
  • #12
I once saw a person wearing a sweatshirt that said
"University of Florida
Graduate Assistant


It's not just a job,
it's an indenture!"


But where did you get the idea that mathematicians and physicists are underpaid compared to nurses? Nurses don't make nearly as much as they should!
(And that's said by a mathematician!)
 
  • #13
Let me tell you; at a local community college salary for a math teacher with 4 yrs experience $39,700.00/yr, and for a nurse with 7 yrs experience $35.10/hr , in Ontario, Canada. I am not saying that a nurse is overpaid although it is a good money, i am sayiny math graduates are very, very underpaid.
 
  • #14
Pengwuino said:
$9.38/hour starting wage at best buy?? Thats almost 50% higher then the minimum wage

I remember my friend was getting that working in the stereo/audio department, but he said that others made slightly less(except for geek squad who make even more).Oh, and it's almost 100% higher than minimum wage ;) I know what you meant though.
 
  • #15
Wow, that's a sweet deal. I should try to get a job there.
 
  • #16
Pengwuino said:
Wow, that's a sweet deal. I should try to get a job there.

what i would do is to major in math still, then apply a job in bestbuy. Become their market analysist, etc. lol

----------------- what a joke above----------------------
Teacher is always underpaid, but you need to include its benefit, work schedule, paid holiday and etc.
Math (tutor + Educator) are a high paying job, if you want to work after school. lol
 
  • #17
Teacher has no benefits unless you love teaching. The work is damn hard. After you're done teaching, you get to plan tomorrow's lessons and grade papers for 30-90 kids. Paid holiday? You won't get to go anywhere, since you can barely make ends meet. Above public schools it gets better, but up to high-school it's a HORRIBLE job.

PL
 
  • #18
Yah but you don't need to know much and you have a guaranteed job as long as you don't get arrested for kiddie porn or other federal felonies.
 
  • #19
leon1127 said:
$9000/12months/80hours= 9.375
it is about the starting wage if you work in bestbuy at dallas
i am a freshman student in math major, and two of my jobs are paying 8.5 and 10 dollars per hours (unrelated to mathematic, but it requires professional skill).
so yea... think about it b4 you major in math and science
most students still end up teaching.

You're forgetting that these grad students also get their tuition paid for, in addition to their stipend!
 
  • #20
leright said:
You're forgetting that these grad students also get their tuition paid for, in addition to their stipend!

more percisely, most grad student's tuition are waived.


Poop-Loops said:
Teacher has no benefits unless you love teaching. The work is damn hard. After you're done teaching, you get to plan tomorrow's lessons and grade papers for 30-90 kids. Paid holiday? You won't get to go anywhere, since you can barely make ends meet. Above public schools it gets better, but up to high-school it's a HORRIBLE job.

PL
my calculus teacher never graded a single paper except the paper for school grading system (perhaps it is an unique exception...). But i admit that HS teacher is a horrible job if you get a student like me :devil: .
My calculus teacher is a part time teacher in my HS, and she owns a tutor school for SATs and Math. I believe she makes about 4000-5000 a month which isn't bad for a mathematic B.S
 

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