Anonymous wrote:
I haven't met any rich teachers. I've met a lot of rich doctors.

One field has a lot more potential upside than the other.

This. I find the whole analysis annoying.

Yeah, I don't think the sole focus should be wealth. Those are a lot of hours over a lifetime spent doing something. I hope it's something they love. And personally, I don't want either a doctor or a teacher working solely for money. There are also quality of life issues to think of. Most of the doctors I know personally are ER docs. And their hours are crazy. I like my 9-5 with some work to take home at night, because I can take off to chaparone my child's fieldtrip or see his school music concert. All of these types of things should be thought out before choosing a profession.

Everyone has to balance investment in education with financial outcome, but there are so many more factors involved.

To be honest I don't know any medical students who work 80 hours a week.

I haven't met any rich teachers. I've met a lot of rich doctors.

One field has a lot more potential upside than the other.

Why are we pitting doctors and teachers against each other? But are important to society.

Most high paying jobs require education (often expensive education) after a bachelor's degree. Some lawyers make big bucks and some make peanuts depending on the quality of their degree, work, etc. The same for doctors. Some doctors make a lot and some don't. The difference is that no teachers make a lot. Getting a professional degree doesn't guarantee you a high salary, but not getting one (and staying in a salaried profession instead of opening a business or becoming an entrepreneur) pretty much guarantees you will not make that much. If you choose to get an MA in teaching you are clearly comfortable with that choice and want to spend your time in the teaching profession. It's really not that complicated. People take up the careers that they prefer to practice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The calculations are what is deceptive. First of all thoracic surgeons make TONS more than the average doctor. Plus, they start earning some money when they graduate from medical school. So your data is not really apples to apples.

The salary is for average physician salary, which includes the high earners, such as surgeons, radiologists, etc.

But the time spent in school is based on surgeons. It just does not compute.

This isn't data. It's anecdotes.

2 doctors in my family. Both made over $500k within a few years of going in to private practice. Pediatrics and internal med don't pay very well. Everyone knows this.

Anonymous wrote:The calculations are what is deceptive. First of all thoracic surgeons make TONS more than the average doctor. Plus, they start earning some money when they graduate from medical school. So your data is not really apples to apples.

The calculation for lifetime earnings included a resident's salary.

Anonymous wrote:The calculations are what is deceptive. First of all thoracic surgeons make TONS more than the average doctor. Plus, they start earning some money when they graduate from medical school. So your data is not really apples to apples.

The salary is for average physician salary, which includes the high earners, such as surgeons, radiologists, etc.

The calculations are what is deceptive. First of all thoracic surgeons make TONS more than the average doctor. Plus, they start earning some money when they graduate from medical school. So your data is not really apples to apples.

Most teachers work way more than 40 hours a week and more than 38 weeks a year. And have masters degrees, and must pass and pay for PRAXIS tests. There are additional steps to become national board certified.

^^^I know quite as few wealthy physicians but no wealthy teachers. Not too many teachers can hang out their shingle after they get their degrees.

I'm not saying that the physician academic/financial investment is not substantial, but it is required.

Amusing article:

The Deceptive Salary Of Doctors
Most people believe that high school teachers don’t make enough money, and few believe that doctors should make more. Believe it or not, doctors make 3 cents less per hour than high school teachers over the course of their career.

Time Spent Becoming A Doctor

1: Bachelor’s Degree
• 40 hours/week
• 40 weeks/year
• 4 years
= 6,400 hours (to be a competitive candidate for medical school, this number is likely much higher in actuality)

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