When you described yourself, you described me. I wanted an airline pilot job when I was five years old, and soloed at 16, private at 17, then instrument, commercial, CFI, double I, MEI, ATP, type ratings, etc. I have made as much as $250,000 a year and as little as $50 per flight. I've been piloting airplanes for almost 40 years.

You can spend as much money preparing for a professional pilot career as any other professional career: medical doctor, orthodontist, etc. I really love flying. But as I got older and married and had a family, I found that flying took me away from my family way too much. I have operated in 6 continents, but I never had my family with me.

If I could do it over again, I would have gotten a degree in medicine and earned consistent money. That way I could have afforded my own airplane to satisfy my flying bug.

But if you are set on flying, the above posts offer some good advice. I especially think you should consider the military. Great training while you serve your country.