• Question: How much do ye earn not meant to be disrespectful but it would be a big deciding factor in following this field in the future. You can say either in a week or a year whatever you prefer. Thank you for your time.

    Asked by 389enek32 to Emma, Karla, Shane, Stephen, Yang on 15 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Stephen Rhatigan

      Stephen Rhatigan answered on 15 Nov 2017:

      I’m a PhD student so I don’t earn a lot. Around minimum wage – but there are a lot of perks in my job that you won’t find in a typical minimum wage job. And you have to take into account that the organization that funds my PhD project also pay my university fees.
      PhD salaries vary from country to country and even depend on the body that funds your research. After I graduate (hopefully in 2 and a half years) what I earn will be based on a number of factors. Pay varies based on number of years experience, what branch of science you study and the associated skills and also on whether you work in academia or industry.
      Check out this link which was posted by Karla in response to another question:

      Researcher Salary Scales/Guidelines

    • Photo: Emma Hanley

      Emma Hanley answered on 15 Nov 2017:

      I also am a PhD student so again not so much; however, having a PhD usually allows you to enter a higher salary scale when you enter a job compared to someone who does not have one so it might pay back eventually.

    • Photo: Shane Mcdonagh

      Shane Mcdonagh answered on 15 Nov 2017:

      Picking a job solely on how much you earn is a surefire way to be unhappy with your career so be careful!
      Scientists and engineers in general earn quiet a bit above the average wage and with a degree like science or engineering you are far more likely to be promoted in companies in all industries. Ultimately though your work rate will determine your pay.

      I too am a PhD student at the minute so I don’t expect to earn good money until I leave college.

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