I'm about to have a BS in Biology and have taken a herp course. Depending on how far you take your education really could make a difference. As strange as it is you are more likely to find a job that you want if you aren't specialized. Let's say you are a herp major, then you are restricted to basically those jobs, and also the more specialized you are the less jobs there are for you. Ask someone with a PhD in herpetology what they think, I really can't answer how much they make but I will say this being a Biologist; you don't ever do anything for the money, if you do it's a job. You do it because it is what you love and because it makes you happy. If you find a job you love, reguardless of money you will never have to work a day in your life. Just my opinion but if that's what you want to do I would go into it not worrying about the money.