Hi Chris,
I don't think that anybody who works in a 'hands on trade' by using their skills really earns any money. I know quite a few skilled craftsmen from various ,apprenticeship backed, trades and they just earn average money (and work hard for it).
The way to go is to provide a service rather than a product and just use your skills for private and personal jobs. I know a few rich people and none of them physically produce a product in their work. They perhaps don't sleep too well at night but they don't seem to me to be working very hard for their money.
It's sad but true.
Tweakie.