PhD or MS in biology.. what opportunities/jobs can I get?

[jjj01]

I'm thinking about going to graduate school and getting MS or PhD in biology..

I like biology, and I'm willing to spend another 5~6 years studying about biology.

However, I'm not really sure what job market is like for people who have Phd or MS in biology..

What are job options that you can find?

I like working in labs, but I would be better if I can a job in hospital.

I know that it can vary between jobs, but what is like the average salary for people who have

PhD or MS in biology..

I'm kind of worried that even after finishing graduate school with PhD or MS, I wouldn't be able to get a job.

By the time I finish graduate school, I will be near my 30's, and have a lot of loan taken out..

"No job" adding to this will be the last thing I want..

Thank you all for the help!

[Quantum Buckyball]

If you want to find a job with reasonable/decent pay, then I don't think you should get a MS nor PhD in Biology. You won't be able to find a job in hospital with a biology degree to be honest. However, you can if you have a MS or a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology etc.

[jd921]

To find a job in a hospital look at MS degrees in more clinically oriented stuff. There are certainly opportunities outside the lab/research with a PhD but honestly you'll be looking at making ~40k/year after graduating for some time, doing postdocs, working in a lab. You could make that amount or more with an MS in a biomedical field in a hospital job (or a Research Associate position after 4 or 5 years in the lab). I'd only pursue the PhD if you know you want research to be the majority of your career, and the MS if you want to remain more flexible and have a higher chance of jumping to industry/hospital work.

[constantSun]

They are right, to work in a hospital you need a clinical degree. A ms or phd in bio wouldn't work.

To work in a private lab, the higher level your education is the better. But you will probably need to move unless you live in an area of the country that has a significant biotech concentration.

But, whatever you do, you wont make lots of money most likely.