I have my MBA. While it is nice to say I have my MBA, it has not paid off monitarily. I went straight through from my bachelors to my MBA. Interviewers, as well as headhunters, have told me the MBA is great, but my work history is much more important. My current employer told me they were much more impressed with my experience than with the degree.
Everyone has been very impressed with my professional history-- I was (at 23years old) a cash manager for a Fortune 500 company. The company was bought out and the new company already had their own "corporate people". While I no longer have the title and the secretary--I do have a job with no stress, I leave my work at the office, and I have alot of flexibility.
Previously I was chained to my desk-often at work at 11pm to meet deadline and back in the office at 6am, so I could reach the trade floors to buy/sell currency in the European markets. It was also not uncommon for me to run into the office at 2am to shoot off an email. There is none of that now-- and i LOVE it!!!! And I have the same pay!!!
I am happy I have my MBA-- but as far as pay is concerned it has made no difference.
Good luck.
wendi