If you are thinking about obtaining a PhD then you will probably want to know how much money you could stand to make by investing the time and money that it takes to become one. If you don’t then you probably aren’t going to make it very far as a PhD. As they say if you don’t know where you are going then your lost.

The 2007 Average Starting Salaries in the US by Degree are:

- Bachelors: $59,391 - Masters: $73,939 - Doctoral: $86,183

The 2007 Average Salaries for PhDs by Job Listed in Ascending order:

- Assistant Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education:
Description: Any Assistant Professor at a University. Also includes assistant lecturers and speakers. Average Salary is $55,793

- Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education:
Description: A Professor at a University or College. Also includes lecturers and speakers. Average Salary is $78,306

- Research Scientist, Biotechnology:
Description: Jobs include Biochemists. Biochemists study the chemical composition and processes of living things. A biochemist studies many from the reaction of food and drugs on living organisms and tissue to the reasons for human growth and aging. Average Salary is $82,222

- Materials Scientist:
Description: These are people at the for front of science when it comes to plastics, polymers, rubbers, metals, alloys and even glass and paper. PhDs in this field work on developing new materials with specific properties for use with specific applications. Average Salary is $83,690

- Sr. Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer:
Description: Jobs include programmers and coding managers. Works as an individual or on a team who write, debug and deliver software programs. Average Salary is $97,883

- Computer and Information Scientist, Research:
Description: These are the inventors of the computer world. PhDs in this field solve and develop solutions to issues in regards to computer hardware and software. Average Salary is $105,714

As you can see if you are considering going for your PhD the computer industry is still the most well paid industry group in this class of education. More and more people in future generations are heading in the direction of computer programmer or CIS professional. The field at this point has managed to easily absorb the inflow of new-interested students and find jobs for new employees with higher education. In the future if things continue down this road it may become a very competitive industry where only the best of the best survive to work another day. For now majoring and going for a post graduate degree in something computer related is probably your best shot for a well-paid and prosperous future.