Let's not pretend we're talking about the difference between $30k and $60k/yr here. We're talking about $400k vs. $800k. "I'll only make half a million dollars a year if I do this" does not set oneself up to be a sympathetic character.
In what world is your typical surgeon paid $800k/yr?
That doesn't make any sense. And not everyone has the capital or capacity to make their own business