[The_Reader_David]

. . but not as much as, say, NFL football players, since we are making ridiculous comparisons.

This is true. But hey, it was Rubio who started the ridiculous comparison game.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I think the larger point is that although there are a few philosophers here and there making a nice living (tho how one can actually be a philosopher in the modern politically correct academe without suffering the fate of Socrates is more than I know), society is not willing to pay as much to (a relative few) philosophers as it is to pay to (the relative multitude) of welders for their socially necessary labor.

And in fact, if you do choose to be a philosopher you might be a better one if you are also a “welder” - speaking generically - and thus have more independence. Lack of a basic skill to fall back on is bad for anyone.