Should I Get a Math MS or PhD for an Industry Job?

[Holomorphism]

I'm currently in a Math PhD program (in the US), and I have the option of mastering out soon. I initially thought I might do pure math and go into academia, but have since changed my mind. So now I'm trying to figure out whether I should get the MS or continue on for the PhD.

My intentions are to get a job in the private sector, to be competitive in the job market, and to have a well-paying job (is 6 figures feasible?). I am quite comfortable writing code, so a job involving programming would be ideal. My school has a lot of people studying applied maths, particularly mathematical biology, physics, and imaging, and I'm pretty sure I could find an adviser in any of those fields.

So my question is this: Would it behoove me to stop at the Masters, or should I continue to the PhD, if job market competitiveness and paygrade are my primary concerns? If there is other information I should be providing when asking this question, do please ask.

Thank you!

 

[DeadOriginal]

From the previous advice I've seen on here, it is a bad idea to do a PhD for salary advancement.

 

[StatGuy2000]

From the previous advice I've seen on here, it is a bad idea to do a PhD for salary advancement.

I believe that depends primarily on what field you intend to pursue your PhD in and whether you are already in a PhD program.

To the OP:

In a number of fields like applied math or statistics, having a PhD is often seen as an asset in terms of working in industry (many job listings for statisticians often state as their requirement either a PhD or a MS with several extra years of work experience). But pursuing a MS alone is not necessarily a disadvantage either.

 

[Holomorphism]

Thank you both for your responses. It sounds like I could go either PhD or MS and still have good options.