Phase One: Collect underpants. Phase Three: Profit

[Murgos]

Scientists are not rich as a rule, but they are usually quite comfortable.  They generally are well rewarded for their efforts and as a bonus their work gives them more easily accessible opportunities to become rich so a high portion of them do eventually become rich.  The same as your average doctor, lawyer or engineer.  Education pays, IF you actually get an education that is valuable.

As far as what the teachers of those highly educated people are paid, well in my experience the ones who actually teach the valuable skills are pretty well off.  Several of my engineering prof's drove late model Beamers and Benz's and I know at least one of them was a millionaire several times over before deciding to teach.

[Roac]

If it makes you feel any better, my state about bottoms the list on mean income.  I still can't figure out how most people can survive if that's the case, except that maybe it's because housing is so damn cheap (180k=lakefront).

As for teaching - if you can become a prof, you're likely to be doing really well, esp. once you get tenured.  It's also considered one of the best professions to go into in terms of stress (there's almost none, relatively speaking).  Downside is the requirement for a doctorate and having to chase grant money all the time.

[voodoolily]

Nah, you just get your grad students to write your grant proposals and do your research for you, then put your name on it. They get their MS and you get to keep with "publish or perish".  (kidding)

As far as being comfortable, I'd agree. I went from earning $400/month as a student to being able to afford my apartment without a roommate within 4 months after I graduated.