A high level of personal interest generally trumps the earning differential, unless it's a work-week unsustainable interest/passion. As an example of work-week

A high level of personal interest generally trumps the earning differential, unless it's a work-week unsustainable interest/passion. As an example of work-week unsustainable, if it's better as a weekend thing for you in practice, or you get angry after doing it / trying to do it all day long, that's more of a passion activity and generally risky as a money-maker for the work week. Focusing your work on your interests should also provide you with suitable energy/bandwidth for developing a supporting financial plan that identifies--and this is important--the minimum you need to make to live the life you want to live, house and all. (This can also include a minimum growth rate for your total wealth including savings & investments) If you are into higher-level thinking IMO you also owe it to yourself to get into the theory of whatever you're working on, and conduct some simple informational interviews with people in industry working groups and so on. Just some thoughts / experiences, good luck with whatever you decide. Keep in mind there are also multiple types/levels of interest, including the meta-interest of trying out various careers and roles. Source: Am an independent career coach