Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

madeInSwamp t1_j2qp8ts wrote

Reply to comment by mietminderung in [D] life advice to relatively late bloomer ML theory researcher. by notyourregularnerd

I thought that when comparing master degree vs PhD the latter wins because it can ask for a better salary, or am I wrong?

5

mietminderung t1_j2qt281 wrote

Typically, only in areas where PhD (ability to conduct independent research) skills are important. Otherwise, you might get a net lower value.

13

madeInSwamp t1_j2qu755 wrote

If the ability to conduct independent research is the most valuable skill for a PhD... A master graduate could close that gap by publishing several papers during his/her career? Maybe he/she can also become more valuable since the additional years in the job market (as /u/dvorakcoder said)

7

mietminderung t1_j2quj6r wrote

Yes of course. There are more than one ways to achieve an outcome. That said, the skills you want to learn from a PhD are best learnt from spending dedicated time in one. The quality will show. You can hack around it. However, very few people are able to sustain.

In any case, the question of - is this a relevant skill to earn more income - will always be a personal choice and question.

12

dvorakcoder t1_j2qt3o8 wrote

The salary gap isn't that different from master to phd, while the person with a master degree will have an additional five to six years headstart on accumulating tech salary wealth and career growth.

13

VarietyElderberry t1_j2r43xd wrote

This. A PhD can ask for a higher salary than a master student, but a person with a master and 5 years of experience can ask for a higher salary than a PhD student.

I wonder if having a PhD will allow faster growth to a senior position such that a PhD will win out in the long term. I'm guessing on average the difference is not that big in the long term.

As others have said: ask yourself why you want to do a PhD. If it is to get a higher salary, you might want to think again.

3