No you've missed the point. The earnings figures are averages. Therfore it is a balance between newly qualified ATPL flying twotters or sheds etc earning a pittance and BA senior captains earning squillions. Similarly, as I know from personal experience, the average between a non state TWR ATCO earning maybe 18-20k and a NATS en-route WM earning more in the region of 80k. Some winners, some losers but 18th from 300 professions given the relatively modest entry quals isn't all that bad. I never even finished my A levels, but am earning 5 times what I earnt in the RAF as an assistant with a few scale points still to come. One of my best friends however completed a degree, qualified as an accountant and earns 25k less than me whilst having to live in the south of England.
Happy days!