Sometimes taking entry level jobs is a good financial choice because of the growth potential in the career. So I’m not sure I agree with your decision to ignore the career field your existing degrees opened for you.

It seems like its the experience, not the education, you are lacking. I would take an entry level gig for the growth potential.

You've been a line cook which means you can grind through some shitty situations. Put in the work at entry level for 1-2 years and work your way up from there

In the biological sciences, you really need the PhD to maximize income.

Toxicologists are in high demand right now, and 6 figs with a PhD is pretty easily doable.

Bonus points - Ph.D programs are usually funded w/stipend.

Just not sure if spending another 5 years getting a PhD is worth the investment.

I already made the switch. It hurt my pay rate but my back feels a lot better

Awesome. Then I’d just focus on excelling in your current role & always looking for better jobs in the field

Definitely only do it if the program will fund you.

UCLA does this but it's not enough to cover rent. Have to be poor for another 5 years lol

Yes, it’s definitely a broke life, without a partner to subsidize. 😂 I’m not familiar enough with the field to say if it pays off over earning experience

You need to move, despite what I already have seen posted here (and everyone’s favorite anecdotes) the biological sciences pay quite well without a PhD. A ms in chem is a solid 60k a year at any manufacturer plant. The work is boring and a grind. However there is a lot of viable career growth. You just need to live near somewhere that manufacturers. Then you can pivot into another role, whatever suits you. I have a BS in chem, nothing else. I make mid 90s, and have been in industry about 2 years. Biologics and pharma are still booming despite other industries slowing down. Stay away from academia, my guess is that’s what you have seen. Those places do pay barely over minimum wage, and there is no growth. Those are filled with people needing pubs for graduate school applications. You have a very employable degree, use it.

I live in Los Angeles and work in aerospace as an analytical chemist and make $20/hr

That’s wildly underpaid, we start junior chemists at 30/hr. Fresh out of undergrad with 0 experience. A analytical lab chemist, mid level, should be 80-100k a year. Maybe it’s your area, or maybe aerospace pays less than Pharma. Also, LA is not a manufacturing hub for Pharma, so not a good place to be a chemist. I’m east coast, and always have been, so can’t speak to your area. I can say everywhere I have been pays more in lower COL areas.

Takeda pharmaceutical and Amgen biopharmaceutical are both a 20 minute drive from where I live. Applied to both probably 100 times and can't get an interview.

Very odd, maybe get some one to check your resume. Also, Takeda is headquartered in boston, and has sites around the world. LA might very well be saturated and more difficult to get a job with no experience. May be that is the case in general in LA. Again, I am a life long east coast guy.

It might be worth while to pursue larger manufacturing sites where less talent is located.

Those both sound like fantastic ideas. I hate this city anyway lol. It's so overcrowded and dirty. I'm going to start applying in other locations and get some professional resume help.

That is wonderful, for areas to look I can tell you the greater Boston area and RTP in NC seem to be nuts lately. I get recruiters with roles in that area regularly. If either of those interest you I think you have good odds.

Also, for entry level QC labs are always hiring. They also LOVE analytical chemists. Anyone who is good at plate based assays and some instrumentation.

QC can be soul sucking but a great way into industry.

I really enjoyed the quality of life in the RTP area in NC

The Society of Toxicology publishes a paper with salary figures of it's members every 3 years. The last was in 2020

Those in industry are all over 100k, topping 150k around 10 years exp, 200k around the 20 yr mark.

Independent consulting is well over 200k with 10+years experience.

Age will def play a role in whether the timelines are worth it for you. Most PhD programs should give you a stipend and cover tuition, but it's peanuts.

The Society of Toxicology publishes a paper with salary figures of it's members every 3 years. The last was in 2020

Those in industry are all over 100k, topping 150k around 10 years exp, 200k around the 20 yr mark.

Independent consulting is well over 200k with 10+years experience.

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