Most low paying legal jobs such as in house corp legal positions set the bar so low that you will trip over the bar walking in the door. I think that the pay is based on job expectations. FOr example, a law firm job paying $100k will require 70 per week of hours, vs a corp job will pay 60 but only require $40hrs week of work.

I think that there may be a diminishing marginal returns on happiness with regard to increased income....i.e. going from $30k to $60k will produce more happiness than going from $130k to $160k.

Thats an interesting statement. You may be right, that a job paying $160k will require a lot more effort than a job paying $130k. The believe that for the extra $30k you can hire a house keeper, yard man and max out your 401-K. So, i think its definitely worth the extra effort.

Interesting thread talking about more money when most law school grads are worried about finding any legal job let alone a six figure job. If you are young and without a family and kids, then i'd say - do it. Build yourself up and then go out on your own and set your own hours.

I think you can debate that the cost of most any degree is now greatly exceeding the income potential of having that degree. I would never forgo an education simply because i could not reply my student loans within 5 yrs of graduation. Keep your eyes on the price. If less likely that you will achieve the same success without a degree as with a degree.

I can speak from personal experience. When i started out practicing law, all i wanted to do was learn as much as i could and make as much money as possible. The goal was to make money and buy things for myself and my family. As i got older and things mattered less and less, i decided to work less. I can honestly say that i am happier now that i have more quality free time so spend with my children, manage my home and workout.

If your goal is to work 80hrs week for the rest of your life, then your qualify of life will be just that......nothing.

More money is not a good substitute for a lower qualify of life.