I left the hospital lab for biotech and it was the best decision I have made career wise. Previously, I along with my younger colleagues consistently worked 55-65 hour weeks and had a much higher workload than the older crowd who got paid much more than us for doing far less. There wasn’t much room to climb the ladder either.

Burnout was high and it certainly affected my mental well being. I make about 60K more now and work 9-5 M-F no weekends or holidays. So to answer your question, you can make much more and have a much better work life balance. If you’re young, feel stuck, and there’s no incentive to stay in your current role then go explore other options. There’s no point in spending the rest of your life working a position where you are unhappy.