Computer Science Vs Medicine, which makes more?

[link2swim06]

I disagree. It's fairly easy to break six figures with just a bachelor's in computer science. Software engineers are in high demand these days with short supply. 80k+ right after graduation is quite doable. With each year of experience you can easily break 100k at mid-size companies.

You also have the option of starting your own company if you have a solid idea and get big $$ real fast.

IMO medicine and comp sci are two fields that cannot be compared on salary alone.

Haha, wat?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/29408064/Highest_Paid_Bachelor_s_Degrees_2010?slide=8

The majority of programmers are not working at Google btw. Also the whole tech field is pretty volatile, with massive #s of jobs going overseas (aka layoffs). I dont think it is safe to assume you will be with the same company for more than 5 years, which means you likely will be taking a pay cut.

Also speaking as a programmer myself...it is not a 9-5 job by any stretch of the imagination. The people who are making big dollar figures are working 60+ hours a week. Also there is "call" too, if your system goes down on Friday night at 9pm, you dont get to wait till Monday morning to fix it. Just sayin...

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[IMSingular]

One of my freind has a PhD in computer science. His wife is a doctor. She doesn't practice any more since he makes enough to meet their needs and desires.

 

[IlDestriero]

The only thing a phd in computer science will get you is BO and lifelong loneliness.

 

[avander2]

I don't mean to dig up an old thread, but wouldn't it be better to think in terms of dollars per hour? Opportunity cost is being excluded here and also I think there are probably other factors to consider, such as malpractice insurance, average vacation time, etc.

EDIT: But, I also agree that it's likely impossible to directly compare the two and a decision to go into medicine or computer science can't be based on the financial aspect of it alone. Whether one is better than the other is subjective and depends what a persons wants/doesn't want in terms of a career (time with family, financial security, challenging work, interfacing). It also probably depends on your ability/comfort to communicate directly with other people whether one-on-one, as a group, and so on. Part of medicine is advocacy and spreading awareness of wellness and specific diseases. Then again, I'm no expert on the subject.

 

[PharmtoCS]

Computer science graduates are in extremely high demand right now. You can earn a $100-150k salary right after college without the need to go into $250k+ debt and spend 8+ years in medical school and residency, and sometimes you can even get hired without a degree if you have the right skills. Some software developers can contract for $100+/hour.