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Are there any botanist out there that could share some info?
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Posted by pic_it_up2005 Zone 6 Ohio Valley (pic_it_up2005@yahoo.com) on Sat, Dec 6, 08 at 13:22
| I'm looking at going back to school for botany. Money isn't going to make or break my decision but I'm just confused. After doing a couple of days worth of google searching I can't seem to find any consistent salery figures. Some of them are as low as 25,000 a year and some as high as 103,000 a year.
I must be doing something wrong, can anyone help me here? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Are there any botanist out there that could share some info?
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- Posted by laag z6CapeCod (My Page) on
Sun, Dec 7, 08 at 8:12
| It all has to do with filling a need rather than to what degree you hold. If there is no position available to do what you want. Like most careers, there are more entry level positions that pay low and much fewer higher level positions. The biggest obstacle is that most everyone in the lower position is working to try and get that higher position which makes it very difficult to advance. In some fields you are more limited by your education and ability, but most higher level jobs in the green industry are limited by opportunity rather than education and experience. |
RE: Are there any botanist out there that could share some info?
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| And horticulture-related careers tend to be very subject to economic whims as well. When times are tight, the green industry is one of the first to feel the effects - the majority of plant-related careers are based on the discretionary income of those doing the hiring, whether that's a private client, a wholesale grower, retail nursery or a place like Disney World. And discretionary budgets - landscaping projects, travelling to amusement parks, even buying new plants at the local garden center - are the first to get cut back. This is pretty short and to the point, but most folks who get involved in this industry do so because they have a passion for some aspect of it. With very few exceptions, it's all they can do to pull a living wage from this activity. Don't plan on getting rich from it or even accumulating a decent retirement plan, cuz it ain't gonna happen! |
RE: Are there any botanist out there that could share some info?
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| pic it up, what sort of work do you envision being educated for with your botany degree? |
RE: Are there any botanist out there that could share some info?
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| on average hort/bot degrees pay about 15%less than other fields. Its not a sexy, high tech degree like com/electronics or computer engineer. |
RE: Are there any botanist out there that could share some info?
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| The range cited is typical. 40-50 K is probably average. It's a university degree. Better to make a living doing what you love rather than making lots of money doing something you hate. Typically a botany degree will pay because you know enough to make an educated decision. You aren't going to be paid for what you know as much as what you accept responsibility for, and what your boss is comfortable with you deciding. Think of it as an entry level management job, but with an emphasis on the tech end.
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Sherwood Botsford
Sherwood's Forests
Warburg, Alberta T0C 2T0
http://www.sherwoods-forests.com
780-848-2548 |
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