Minor nitpick: The people making the big bucks in the pharmaceutical industry aren’t the ones doing research – it’s the marketers, accountants, lawyers and upper levels of management, who often have no scientific background whatsoever.

Spoken from bitter experience.

I’m deeply passionate about Registered Longhorn Cattle, but there is no one in the industry making the kind of income that I need to make at this time. Following that passion exclusive to other areas would be foolish.

Balance and perspective are critical to peace of mind and success.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Ung-yong

(hope it is OK to put this link in here)

One advantage of the higher earning individual is the possibility of location changes or changes in work habits.
Example: a friend of mine who works as a consultant stopped working during the real downturn of the economy because those laid off from the big firms tried to find work at lowest hourly rates. He instead decided to take vacations and also invested in training. Now he is back in business at the same rates as before the downturn, whereas the others worked their … off at low rates and have difficulties to charge higher ones now that the economy recovers.
Lifestyle, whether earned or designed, is a combination of personal goals, abilities, restrictions (partners, children), ambitions and money.

I am happy with mine

All the best – and don’t worry too much about other peoples lifestyles