Is this graph about how much Math Professors make wrong?

Question

According to Salary.com, the average a Mathematics Professor makes is about $82,000/year. Is this way too much? I mean this is just MATH, so there are no Law or Medicine salaries thrown in there.

here's the link (i hope it works):

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?hdSearchByOption=0&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=Professor%20-%20Mathematics&hdJobCategory=ED01&hdZipCode=&hdStateMetro=&hdGeoLocation=U.S.%20National%20Averages&hdJobCode=ED03000157&hdJobTitle=Professor%20-%20Mathematics&hdCurrentTab=&hdNarrowDesc=Education

Answer 1

well, it's kinda too much

but, i think that's okay, if the professors have to find some new ideas or making some inovations. Because it's hard to do.

Answer 2

oh my.

What do you mean it is just math?!

of course those are accurate. We are talking about the experts in analysis, applied mathematics, image processing, logic, materials modeling, number theory, probability and mathematical physics.

Math is the foundation of the sciences. computing wouldnt exist without it. Mathematics is also the field that has the widest application. There are mathmeticians in almost every area in the job field. With a mathematics degree, you can work anywhere.

Where would we be without actuaries, software engineers, system analysts, statisticians, cryptologists, economists, engineers and researchers?

Where would our society be without the engineers in aerospace, civil engineering, architecture, biomedical, electrical, computing, manufacturing, marine, nuclear and transportation?

Who would create the mathematical models that allow us to solve our most important societal problems? epidemiology allows us to track and make important decisions about pathology of disease. Our own CDC is filled with mathmeticians. One field in demand now is environmental math - the whole global warming argument is framed by those who understand the math involved.

Your question brings to light one of the weaknesses we teachers encounter. We as teachers need to do a better job of 'selling' the importance of mathematics. The clear assumption in your question is that math is not important - in fact you point out how law and medicine are ranked higher in your mind. this is a mistake that we teachers can correct if we discuss it often and make clear the wide influence that math has to our society.

it is not "just: math. it is MATH!

edit - *really*

perhaps instead of going for a simplistic view - we should look at what really drives salary rates - more the type of institution, the quality of said institution than simply the field of study - see the two links.

Answer 3

Usually to be a math professor at a university you need to have your PhD in math (which is very hard to get) and you do a lot more than teaching in that position... you have to do research and publish things which is also very hard

Answer 4

Remember that a graph  only represents the data used to build the graph.  If incomplete or inaccurate data is used....well draw your own conclusions.   Not everything posted on the web is accurate and factual