Sorry, explain how that works for an individual, not everyone has a family and it is no more affordable for a single person. What part of those monthly expenses go away when no family is present? Do they get to skip car insurance? Water & sewer? Rent?
Much is dependent on where you live, that has way to many variables to discuss here. Starting pay for a welder at the company I currently work for is ~75k. That is for an entry level welder certified s a Nuclear worker / welder.
Yes some places are inverted on the pay to cost of living needs, but a start needs to be made.
This thread is not about how terrible it can be starting out, it is about the potential for the trades in the work environment.