You're not making 300k as a tradie unless you run your own business. I don't know if I'd take it over blowing out my back and knees before I can retire.
His guys were making around $50-70k, though friend implied some could pull ballpark of 100k with long hours / 6 days.
I used to run data centers, and the master electricians who worked on my generators and ATS systems would pull 80-120, with no shortage of work. I seriously considered switching at one point, though in the long run network engineering is a better call.
The U.S. Census Bureau lists the annual real median earnings at $41,535 in 2020 for all workers with earnings[4] and lists the annual median earnings at $56,287 in 2020 for people who worked full-time, year round. [1]
Plumber - median $56,330, demand growth, slower than average [2]
HVAC tech - median $50,590, demand growth, slower than average [3]
Electrician - median $56,900, demand growth average (actually 9%) [4]
Framer(Carpenter) - median $49,520, demand growth, slower than average [5]
Bricklayer(Mason) - median $47,710, declining demand. [6]
Software engineer - median $110,140, demand growth, higher than average [7]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_income_in_the_United_States
[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm
[3] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
[4] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm
[5] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/carpenters.htm
[6] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/brickmasons-blockmasons-and-stonemasons.htm
[7] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htmSo for instance Salary.com puts San Francisco skilled plumbers at a $90k median wage [1], electricians at $105k [2], etc.
[1] - https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/plumber-iii...
[2] - https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/electrician...