Trades pay shit. I have friends that are electricians and they made more a decade ago than the current journeyman rate. Nevermind inflation, we're talking only nominal pay.
In 2009-10, he had no work. I don't think people realize how hard recessions hit trades. You don't become "unemployed." You have to go to work then stand around half the day not getting paid until enough people stop showing up that there's enough work. All of my friends working in trades from when I was younger switched careers in the Great Recession (the military was a decent option, since they'd fast-track skilled people to E-5).
This is the real reason why millennials are under-represented in the trades. The media prefers to just call us lazy.
Doesn't change the fact that the pay rates haven't changed in 15 years for those who are getting into the career and will have to work for others to learn.