I didn't really know where to post this topic, so I posted it here.

I'm really interested in pursuing a degree in entomology and would love to make it my career, but I'm not sure what kinds of jobs are open to entomologists and how readily available these are.

What kind of places hire entomologists and how much could I expect to make? Am I better off going with a different profession?

Though it's been a dream all my life to do something involving entomology (ethnoentomology and conservation entomology being the most appealing to me) and I've studied up on it a lot, still, I don't know a lot about this topic... since most of your questions would be better answered by someone who has experience... but all I can say is, anyone I've known who has gone to school for this says they were disappointed by the fact that almost everything in the field involves the 'control' of bugs... which isn't the most exciting job if you're a bug enthusiast... though I don't know how true that is. I've heard many different stories, but mainly that it's hard to get a job in entomology unless it's pest control. It's why I my 'backup' is to become a teacher, that way I would still have the opportunity to teach kids about insects and how important they are.

Hopefully you get some answers on this as I'm very curious to learn more as well! I know there are lots of entomologists here :)

it depends largely on where you live. if you're near museums or zoos that include a collection of live or preserved specimens, you might be able to find work as a collection manager or a caretaker. you will need at least a bachelor's in invertebrate zo/animal husbandry/museum curation/a related major.
if you live in an area of agricultural importance, like California or Hawaii or Madagascar, you can get a job working in pest exclusion which would include doing things like inspecting goods at a border station, or working in a lab identifying and maintaining specimens for research. you'll need a bachelor's in agricultural sciences for the former, and if you actually want to make any money at the latter you'll need a master's or doctorate.
i work in an ento lab at a student level and it does not pay for jack.

your other entomology career alternative is as a private businessman; breeding, rearing, and selling your favorite critters is a time-consuming but rewarding task. you could also become a private collector and sell preserved specimens like God of Insects.
no degree required, but you'll need a lot of independent study and experience to properly identify your specimens.

ultimately i would recommend against getting a bachelor's degree in entomology unless you are serious about going for post graduate studies. of the five ento bachelors i know, four of them work in retail and the fifth makes less than $30k/year in a position that goes nowhere.
a more general degree, like agricultural sciences or animal biologyspecializing in inverts, will increase the field of jobs for which youwill be eligible.

The university I'm going to only offers entomology degrees at a masters and doctoral level, so my undergrad would have to be something like general biology. Do you think I should get my bachelors and then go for a graduate degree in entomology, or keep the general bio degree with just a specialty in entomology? Thanks for all the help!

We all start out general entomologists, but the vast majority of us become very specialized quickly. Case in point I started my graduate career working with the canopy insects found in deciduous forests. I worked with these insects throughout my graduate school days and temporarily as a research assistant. When I took my current job I switched almost totally to medical entomology. I have had the current job for almost eight years. Other jobs in entomology are found with the large pesticide companies developing new compounds. Other colleagues work with invasive species, agricultural pests, etc. 

If you are wondering about what entomologist do/ where they work at and that kind of thing, I recommend consulting with the Entomology Department at Purdue University. I attend there and they are extremely helpful people, each and  every one of them. I can promise that if they cant answer your questions they know someone who can. You might email them with your Q's, and if you get a choice I would recommend Dr Alan York, Dr Tom Turpin, or Dr. Christian Oseto. All three are or have been professors @ purdue and have been more than helpful when i have a question. Also Amanda Pendleton may be helpful as well, shes the Undergrad Coordinator. I hope I've pointed you in the right direction.
Derek

This is a GREAT topic!!  I too have been looking into entomology careers, and have settled into the idea of going to school to become a teacher of biology, which will hopefully leap into field work as a volunteer with kids who are interested in invertebrates and keeping them.  It has also been suggested to me to use my own hobby as a way to teach ecology, and the balance of nature and spirit.  I think ANY career that reveres the insect and arachnid is something worth going after!  Good luck to everyone who does!!

I think this is an awesome topic! I'm going into entomology myself. I start as an undergrad this fall in zoology, then go to grad school for entomology. I'll start working as a research assistant until I get into grad school and probably even after until I get my degree. I'm excited and I beleive that anyone who wants to go into entomology should! The world needs more bug folks!!!