This all depends what you are comparing. If you elect to stay in NA, then you make slightly more as a freighter captain than as an FO on the passenger fleet. You would make about $900 USD more a month being in the left seat of the freighter.
If, after your 3 years freighter FO commitment you decide to go to HK on the pax fleet as opposed to upgrading on the freighter, then you would be making substantially more. Including 13th month, 15% PF, and max housing, you would make about $190,000 USD a year (1 USD = 7.8 HKD conversion). The freigher captain scale, including the 15% PF, would be about $143,000 a year.
This assumes no overtime or flight duty pay. I will say, freighter Captain's these days are busier than a 2 cent hooker, so they make quite a bit on ovetime pay.
So, the decision is personal. If your goal is solely money, then you would be wiser for taking pax fo in HK. If you are looking to bail, then I would recommend the quick upgrade. Get some 747-400 PIC longhaul time and you can sign your ticket to just about anywhere on the globe. If you want to stay in NA but cherish your time off, then you are better off with pax FO n NA.
