[Scirparius]

The central flaw that the author of this article makes (whether by accident or design) is to confound people who get Philosophy majors and Philosophy professors with actual Philosophers.

Many philosophy majors end up taking jobs in other professional fields. Some go into business, some go into law, some go into tech, and so forth.

The salaries quoted in the article are generally for Philosophy professors, not true Philosophers. Philosophy majors learn philosophy, but don't often go on to a career as Philosophers. Philosophy professors are compensated for teaching Philosophy, not for being Philosophers.

Compare the average salary of a welder with the average salary of a person who makes his/her living solely as a Philosopher, and I think you'll find a great disparity.

Also, there are probably hundreds of thousands of people employed as welders in this country.

How many people are employed as Philosophers? Not Philosophy majors or professors, but just Philosophers? Like 4, maybe?

[Christopher]

Here in the Chicago area, guys who can tig stainless pipe and pass X-ray can get 40/hr. That’s non-union. Local 597 pays a bit more.

If you want to travel and you got the skills, you can get 50+ per hour and 100 to 120 per diem, working 6 or 7 twelves on turnarounds.

[Pollster1]

Philosophy professors make far more than starting welders, whether at the start, midpoint, or end of career. However, trained welders (with the appropriate qualifications and certifications) make more than educated philosophers (with the appropriate academic credentials).

What fraction of philosophy graduates get a job in their field, and what fraction of certified welders do? My guess is that there is a huge gap.

[Signalman]

philosophy grads Peter Thiel, Carl Icahn, and . . . Carly Fiorina.

Rubio said "philosophers", not philosophy majors.

[caddie]

Yes there are different kinds of philosophy related to welding.

There are the Transcendental Ignosticists (TIG) and the Melioristic Intrinsic Gnosticists (MIG).

Among others.

[TBP]

Generalists like philosophy majors or English majors are rounded enough to be able to help you in many ways, not just a particular specialty.

[rlmorel]

Nothing against philosophers, but I sure hope so.

[mulligan]

So what and who cares. Stupid comment.

[Jim Robinson]

I don’t know. How much do unemployed philosophy majors make?

[SamAdams76]

[Conservinator]

From one of my all time favorite movies - Max Dugan Returns - Matthew Broderick (grandson) asks Jason Robards (grandfather) “can you make a lot of money in philosophy”? Jason Robards reply - “Oh yeah, as long as you have the right one!”

[JimRed]

What does a philosopher create that is worth the cost of a good weld?