• Question: do you get a lot of money

    Asked by ajayh to MarkF, Panos, Mark, Michael, Sarah on 15 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by jannaturr7, kerrymacmillan, kempx, username123.
    • Photo: Panos Soultanas

      Panos Soultanas answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      Yes, the wages are not bad. The most important thing though is to do something that you really enjoy in life.

    • Photo: Sarah Burl

      Sarah Burl answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      No, academic scientists get very little money compared to other jobs especially as scientists generally work long hours and often only have short contracts of 3-5 years long. Scientists are generally motivated by their work rather than money otherwise you would do another job. In industry you would get much more money but the work wouldn’t be driven by yourself, it would be driven by the company which would be driven by share prices!
      In the UK expect to earn about £20,000 after getting your degree. In The Gambia I am earning £7,000 but life is cheap in The Gambia!

    • Photo: Mark Fogg

      Mark Fogg answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      Unfortunately, we don’t get a paid as much as lawyers, medical doctors, bankers and many other professions. Following 6 or 7 years at university and about 10 years after getting a Phd, you could be earning around £30,000 or a bit more per year. I just enjoy what I do, so money doesn’t mean that much to me anymore, it used to, but enjoying what I do every day is better.

    • Photo: Mark Travis

      Mark Travis answered on 14 Jun 2010:

      Generally, you don’t get super rich from being a research scientist, but the wages are definitely enough to put food on the table! To get to the position I am in, you need A-levels (2 years), a degree (at least 3 years), a PhD (at least 3 years) and further training called a post-doc (at least 4 years). So, basically 12 years of training! Probably don’t get paid as much as we should for so much training, but scientists aren’t in it for the money- more the thrill of discovering new things.

    • Photo: Michael Loughlin

      Michael Loughlin answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      I get more money that I have ever done before…and more importantly i have a long term job which takes a lot of worry out of my life and lets me focus on things without always thinking about how long of my job i have left

      I think I am lucky insomuch as I have a job I love and I am paid a decent wage.
      I don’t think scientists are paid as well as say…accountants but i think about as much as teachers.
      Of course professors get paid more than reseach associates..but i think a starting wage for someone with a degree (not PhD) working on research in the microbiology area would be of £22k+ a year ..more with experience

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