Ref office workers vs pilots. Many many office workers did finance degrees, law degrees, or any other 5 year degree which could compare to pilot training. Sure, I'd love everyone to do well. Just saying that $200k plus and 12 days off a month is a pretty good deal.
Careful with the generalisation there Trevor.
Most undergraduate degrees, are three years.
In the Australian context, the graduate will, according to your ATO in 5% of cases accumulate a debt of AUD$50,000.00
Given the cost of a candidate funded course with government assistance is circa $149,000, the 'graduate cadet' is indentured given lack of command hours, seat changes and upgrades are completely at the whim of the employer.
A more traditional route in Australia, via the local flying school sees the pilot expend a similar amount over perhaps a three or four year period, before finally going on to acquire the hours requisite for an application to a major.
The opportunity cost is considerable and the qualification a pilot has is not readily transferable, nor are there numerous airlines.
The industry has eaten its young. That there is dwindling supply is a combination of demographic and opportunity cost meaning not only are retirement rates increasing, there are less willing to join an industry where the pay off 'possibility' is low.