On the subject of wages for skilled and un-skilled being so high in certain industries is all about hours worked.
An electrician working in the city probably only makes 45,000 a year for a 40 hour week.Sure,the charge for a job is much higher,because he works for someone who also forked out 60-100g to set up bussiness.
A truck driver or machinery operator may only get 35,000 a year for a 40 hour week.
All the above can boost the pay packet by overtime and end up doing 60 hours a week-------3000 hours a year--------something pilots cant do.
They can head bush and work in the mines---now the $,s rise.Basic hourly rates arent much higher,but area allowances,shift allowances etc bang it right up.Working for the big boys you may live in a company town and only do a 44 hour week.Work for contractors on a fly in--fly out basis and they can range fron 2 on-1 off to 6 on-1 off roster,on an hourly rate for every hour worked----no overtime money.And these guys work 12 hour day/night shifts for 13 days straight..That is non-stop work with 1/2 for lunch with no smoko,s.
My son flies choppers but is still under the 1000 hour barrier and only gets 25,000 a year.
To me this a joke----how can you live on that-----but unfortunately a lot are in the same boat.
To all the reasonably paid pilots,work out your hourly rate for hours done and your not that bad off.
Every man on earth wants more money and im one of them