I would agree, but even highly skilled jobs have not kept up with inflation, or simply pay shit. I've received plenty of job contacts where the company wanted a degree, experience, and in some cases a security clearance, but didn't want to pay more than $20 an hour - and that was on the high side for a lot of the contacts. Most of them were contracts with no chance of being a real employee with benefits. For example, there are two jobs in my area that have been open for the better part of three years. One is a sensor technician for a specialized medical devices company - the job is the (factory-level) installation of gauges and sensors on medical physical therapy equipment. Stuff that sells for big bucks - they pay $17 an hour for this. The other one is an electronics tech for a company that manufactures bespoke measurement equipment. It's been open for years, and it also pays $17 an hour. It specifies a degree and experience. I actually investigated that one and the HR lady said yeah, I know it pays way below market for this job and the owner won't up the pay. But she also tried to give me "But we're a small company and it's hard to...." Bullshit, you're the player in your industry and you've been there for 5 decades. Don't cry me a river because you're the one who put the alligators in it.