Those aren't the first questions you should ask about a PhD.
The first question you should be asking is "how and where can I study this topic that I'm really fired up about?"

If you haven't done Masters-level studying and you are unsure about doing a PhD, don't do a PhD.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 22 Jan 2009, 14:47, 1 reply)

I concur!
"Is all my studying worth it?" and "Will a future job pay me that much more?" are two different questions when you're talking about PhDs. A PhD is probably not going to lead to a massively highly paid job, particularly if you stay in academia. But if you enjoy your subject then it'll have completely been worth it, if only because you get to spend 3-4 years of your life really, really* loving what you do for a living.



*Well, mostly
(Concrete Cow, Thu 22 Jan 2009, 15:24, closed)

well
I hear that some other jobs have employees who might also admit: "I'm lovin' it".
(haberman is singing in the changes, Thu 22 Jan 2009, 15:44, closed)

also,
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7213781.stm

Live the dream!
(TheColonel, Thu 22 Jan 2009, 16:14, closed)