If you have a look here the average plumber gets $60k to $80k, which is what I expected:
https://www.livingin-australia.com/p...ary-australia/
The plumbers I know are doing ok, but I see no signs of wealth. No new BMWs or flash houses.
I know crane drivers working on CBD sites making $150k a year, but they work 60 hours a week making good money in a boom with no job security.
Let's consider the maths for a tradesman:
work 250 days a year
work 8 hours a day (2,000 hours a year)
would need $200 an hour to make $400,000 a year (assumes no expenses and self-employed)
I can't, and haven't seen, a tradie earning $400k a year.