My goal after getting my CPA license is to climb the ranks to become a CFO.  Making money all depends on the size of the company you work with.  The CFO of the company I am with makes in the mid $100's.  Our company is smaller in size, so do the math.  He also spoke of larger companies he worked for where he made in the $300-400+ range.  If you strictly want to be controller, plant accountant, etc., then you may not break the $100K mark, but that's still good money depending on what area you live in (cost of living).  There's plenty of jobs that will get you over that hump in time.

If you are in accounting you should most definitely get the CPA. I still have one part remaining but being 3/4ths of a CPA just recently got me an incredible job that has great pay (a lot more than 45K) and UNBELIEVABLE benefits. They expect me to finish it soon which I will do in July.

If you aren't in accounting then you really need sit down to consider if its worth it but its a definite must do for those already in accounting.