My husband makes that much because:
1. He was a good student in high school
2.He did a lot of mechanical, motor, construction etc stuff in his down time. So he knew alot about how things work
3. He got a job at the railroad coal docks, and one of his jobs was to 'lift a coal car with a machine, pour the coal into a ship - more mechanical, motor stuff
4 Got laid off ,and watched the want ads for something.
5. Saw a refinery nearby was hiring.
6. Has a calm, intelligent, confident demeanor, so not only knew all that stuff, but interviewed well.
7. Worked his way through the refinery, so, again, knew his stuff, so got a position in the control room
ok, he started in '92
Another example, our son:
1. Did well in school
2. joined the Navy and tested into the nuclear propulsion, was in for 6 years, awards along the way
3. Came home, within 6 mos the same refinery was hiring. He got an interview because of his accomplishments, not his Dad
4. Left with his Mom and Dad's blessings, making about 90,000
Summed up - do well whatever you do, know it, give an appearance of being calm and confident that you know your stuff, watch for openings in your field. Also, be willing to put in the years needed to know your stuff, and to be dependable
we are in a LCOL area, midwest