I had the opposite thought: a PhD might be worthwhile if you really love research, but it's hard to imagine making up the opportunity cost. What's the normal t

I had the opposite thought: a PhD might be worthwhile if you really love research, but it's hard to imagine making up the opportunity cost. What's the normal time to PhD? 5-7 years? Five years out of school, my base salary was barely below the range, and salary + bonus was just a bit above the top end of the range. Seven years out of school (without a PhD), my base salary is in the range, and my salary + bonus is substantially above the range. In the meantime, I've been making a six figure salary instead of a grad student stipend. I sometimes regret not doing a PhD, but it's definitely not because of the money.