Is a graduate degree in computer science really an important asset to have in the technology industry?

Don't know how it is in your part of the world, but in my country, the degree helps to the extent of promotions in designations, resulting in higher pay scales also. Till a particular stage, experience may be on par with degree in terms of requirements, but its only the latter that can take a person higher up the ladder. This is common in all fields, not only Computer Science. Definitely it helps in the Computers field also coz of the constant new technologies coming out in the market today, which a well-structured degree should keep you abreast of. Besides, you aren't losing much with a higher degree, are you? I say go for it.

Not unless you want to become a professor later on in life. The title Doctor is nice but the money you'll spend and time on your graduate degree will not compensate for the money you could have made without the degree and working instead of going to school.

Not unless you want to become a professor later on in life. The title Doctor is nice but the money you'll spend and time on your graduate degree will not compensate for the money you could have made without the degree and working instead of going to school.