I found these two sites about recent compensation rates...granted, it was during the late 1990s, but I know for a fact that salaries have not fallen by 50%...it's closer to 30% according to Businessweek.
http://www.careers-in-finance.com/1999survey.htm http://www.careers-in-finance.com/co...ion-study1.htm
As for what thinkingoutloud said...some people enjoy the work and there are many understanding wives/girlfriends.
Not to mention once you're about 10 years into the business, you begin to have a bit more control over your schedule.