I definitely think MBA's have more potential for better pay. JD's mostly get the big bucks only if they into Big Law (or corp law in some cases) and move high up. Law firms are competitive, not collaborative, and burn out is just as high or higher than MC and IB, these both contribute to the fact that many people's careers will "fizzle out". I think it's easier for an "average" top tier MBA to reach and maintain a 200k salary across multiple industries/functions than it is for a JD, most of whom will only make that in Big Law firms (or a celebrity divorce lawyer
). Additionally, even at top law schools, only a small percent of the class is going to be extended offers from these lucrative firms, at business school, the vast majority go into positions that will set them up to at least reach the 200k mark (all in) at the height of their careers (if they so choose, some people will opt out). Lastly, there are just more opportunities for MBA's, after 10 years in a law firm, you have fewer marketable skills than that of an MBA 10 years into their career, which make changing careers and maintaining a high standard of living very hard to achieve.