If you know Perl, you know Perl. If you know programming, you can learn Perl, and Ruby, and C, and Java, and on down the list of usable languages.

If you know how to administer an NT box, you know how to administer an NT box. If you know system administration, you can learn to adminster an NT box or an HP-UX box or a BSD or a Linux box.

If you're single, or financially secure, or have very little debt and a simple lifestyle, you can afford to go with what you really want to do.

If you have a family to support, or a $3000-a-day Faberge egg habit, or lots of other bills, you may have to do something you don't enjoy as much.

But the thing is, money's not worth misery. If you're skilled, know how to learn, and aren't afraid of hard work, you'll do fine.