Pharmaceutical Scientist Salary...?

[medkid15]

Hi, Everyone!

Please forgive me if this has already been answered! I have been searching everywhere and have yet to find anything!

I plan on earning a PhD and becoming a Pharmaceutical Scientist in the future. Naturally I expect to make very little during my Post-Doc and entry-level positions, but should I expect to earn 90k-100k with a few years of work experince under my belt? I don't plan on working in academia, if that makes a difference at all. Everyone always tells me that PhD graduates end up poor AND unemployed and, quite frankly, that terrifies me.

Side Note: I've been told that they make low 6 figures in federal government or Big Pharm areas, but I've also been told that they make nothing at all so I was jut wondering if it was an experience/employment factor or if PhD's make less regardless.

P.S. Yes my salary is a concern because I would really love to support a family without any financial troubles. Ultimately, however, I'll likely continue down this path because this is my dream profession.

Thank you so, so much to everyone who replies!!

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[Fencer]

With a PhD, pharma salaries vary from mid-70K at entry to 150 K at high levels.

 

[Neuronix]

Side Note: I've been told that they make low 6 figures in federal government or Big Pharm areas, but I've also been told that they make nothing at all so I was jut wondering if it was an experience/employment factor or if PhD's make less regardless.

Fencer is right. If you're reasonably good at what you do, you should always at least have a post-doc/assistant scientist position which will pay as low as $50k/year. If you're good and you establish yourself, you can get into the mid-100k range in today's money unless you're exceptionally lucky and talented.

 

[md(phd?)]

If you want to make decent money don't do a PhD. It's pretty simple.

 

[Neuronix]

What's "decent money" ? It's all relative.

 

[gbwillner]

It depends on what you actually do. Staff Scientists can come in the $60s-$100s. If you end up as a director of your section it can be more- $150-$200K. If you are CTO/CSO, or CEO... sky's the limit. But those are also administrative posts.

 

[md(phd?)]

What's "decent money" ? It's all relative.

Less than 100k combined salary makes it pretty hard to have the house in a decent school district, send the kid to college, have a semblance of leisure, and enjoy a decent retirement. So I'd draw the line right about there?