Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 5/20/2010

Question
Dear Diana,

I am planning on embarking a PhD degree in the field of Microbiology. I am over in London, however I would like to know about the kind of jobs I could get in the USA and the sort of the pay PhD graduates are offered in the field of Microbiolohy.

Answer
Dear Mohammad,

I wish I could give you a simple answer, but the job salaries are as varied as the types of positions available for microbiologists.  If you have a Ph.D. and are a principle investigator in a commercial pharmaceutical laboratory, you could make well into the six figure salaries (in U.S. dollars).  If you work in academia doing research and teaching, you won't make that much at the outset (anywhere from $40,000 - $60,000 starting salary, depending on the institution and the position), though pay increases with experience and tenure.

But that's only a couple of options.  There are many others, though I am not a microbiologist, and possibly not the best person to ask.

You might wish to contact some of my colleagues at the University of Miami Department of Microbiology and Immunology:

http://biomed.miami.edu/default.asp?p=199

These folks could give you a better idea of what's out there, and what you might expect in terms of salary.

Wish I could be of more help.

Good luck!

Dana