To think most of the money is in the sciences?

[superstarheartbreaker]

I'm one of those kids who opted for both arts and a science ( Biology) at alevel. In the end I went for a degree in English lit and lang but now wish I'd completed a degree in Biological Sciences.
I loved biology but I loved English more. I'm a trained English teacher but it's soooo stressful and I reckon a degree in science would have been much more useful... To humanity as well as my pocket!

I'd guess teaching pays similar to biological sciences.
Physical sciences seem to pay slightly better round here.
Engineers do better again, as does pharma.
But those that left science seem to be the ones on big money - patents, accountants, finance.

Although by living in cheep, manufacturing based, NE we have the big house compared to many of the London based folk.

Like everyone says, actually working in science is not v profitable at all. Even pharma is choosing to outsource research to India etc nowadays, so probably easiest way to get a job with a science degree is as, er, a teacher!

Found this link; www.savethestudent.org/student-jobs/whats-the-expected-salary-for-your-degree.html which gives an idea for comparison

DP has a philosophy degree.... and he clears up branches for min. wage.

Engineering - there is a world shortage of engineers.

I'm a biologist and have never earned much - I work for charities and get paid little plus much of it is contract work. Now in good job that pays pretty well but that's only following 20 years experience and hard slog!

Love my job though - I make a difference to the world every day

The only engineering that pays big bucks is reservoir engineering.

A recent newspaper survey (think it may have been the Independent or Grauniad) suggests that computer sciences is currently the most lucrative degree job wise.

Personally I'm hoping and praying that the girls will choose Law.

Or dentistry.

Arts or Science, working in the public sector is never going to get mega bucks.
Finance in the City or running your own business is the way to get rich. Or being a super high flyer at something like law or entertainment.

DB is a physicist, a proper gown up one with a PhD and all and pretty much at the top of his academic field but has never earned more than me as a mediocre accountant.

DD is now at university studying biochemistry. She already knows that there arent the big bucks to be earned here in the UK. Even in private companies the scientists arent well paid. The people who tend to be better paid are the people who manage scientists. DD is already planning to do a year abroad and hopes to move abroad post degree.

I have a science degree and work in the public sector - I earn well given the flexibility and holidays. DP is an engineer in the private sector and is much earlier in his career and his salary has surpassed mine and continues to rise, but has much less flexibility and fewer benefits. There is definitely potential in the sciences, but my highest earning friend did geography and went into the city.

Unfortunately these days with more and more students graduating in sciences and public sector research pay and recruitment freezes there are far less opportunities than when I graduated. I'd probably suggest law or medicine for DC if salary is the priority.

The people who tend to be better paid are the people who manage scientists.

This is true, and really pisses me off (and I am more manager than scientist these days!).

Phd in boichemistry here - nope not in the money - unemployable after a career break...as are various other people I know with a similar background...even without the break - I know two people who are now teachers/training as teachers.
Problem with academic research is short term contracts, grant based and the pay scale. You automatically become more expensive with more experience - three 3yr contracts and unless you have managed to get your own funding - become a group leader- you are out. As a group leader better spend your money on a couple of first level post docs (and 'free' Phd students). You can help & advise the less experienced. If you get more successful, one experienced post doc can do the same whilst you concentrate on getting Grant funding/writing up papers. (Think the fact that wages went up steeply didn't help anyone - starting salary after a Phd was £19k - now is £29k)

I'm very supportive of DD doing STEM subjects, I think she would be an awesome engineer. I work with a lot of engineers and I am sure I am equally or more clever than a lot of them, and they get paid well.

I am a scientist working in the private sector for a biotech company and had to click on this thread to say...

HA HA HA HA

My friends who earn the most are in finance of some kind or law.

I think Engineering is a good degree to have an my partner is doing well. I would certainly encourage my son in the same direction. Having worked at Cambridge Uni alongside their scientists (as a lowly technician) I don't think the money is in this area, so I wouldn't be too rosy specked about not pursuing the Biology degree.

I concur that an Economics or Business degree seems to have afforded my peer group some amazing opportunities. Many of whom are now working in London on 100k plus salaries.

?
Afaik the relationship between remuneration and usefulness to humanity is usually inverse.

If you wanna make loadsa money you need to exploit people, not help them.

Yes there is that question of ethics to consider. Tons of money in engineering in MENA but I wouldn't want a penny of it.

Even pharma is choosing to outsource research to India etc nowadays

Well, yes and no. I work for a CMO that makes biopharmaceuticals. You might think manufacturing would completely be outsourced to non-western countries for cost reasons. Our customers are predominantly American who like us because a) we are native English speakers with a culture that Americans are comfortable with b) we are perceived as having less corruption etc than some of the cheaper alternatives. Chinese baby milk anyone?, c) the regulatory framework in Europe is respected by the Americans, particularly the UK approach to cell culture. I know the situation is slightly different in small molecules (easier to show comparability between manufacturing process at different sites etc) but there will always be a preference for 'local' companies who work in the same culture, particularly in high tech, heavily regulated industries where fraudulent behaviour could destroy your whole business.

Philosophy? In Australia, that would be fast track to McDonald's!

Economics, finance, law and engineering here. And oddly, electricians are being paid $150,000 + in some underground mines (boom plus shortage of trades).

Science is poorly funded in many countries.

Yep, my partner is in Pharma, helping to produce medical devices and getting them to end stage. I would agree that this is not all being out sourced. I suspect in the future as developing countries become developed will will cease to outsource so much in the way that we do currently. It will become cheaper to manufacture in house.

wont medical devices be 3D printed before long NewEra?

Pharma can't outsource their sales and marketing beyond bringing in contractors. There's still money there for good science graduates who can sell. Juniors start mid 20s, reasonable experienced hospital rep mid 40s, specialised reps 60k+, first line mgt £90k all plus c15-20% bonus and package including car pension etc. it's a good scratch if you can get in.