“Machine operator making $100K???”
This may be an extreme case, but I agree with the article, the lack of high paying jobs is hurting the recovery along with a number of other causes, real and imagined.
Heavy machine operator, not running a stamper or lathe. Even though those jobs “might” be learned in 2-hours with 2 hours of experience you won’t operate the machinery very well. Large crane and moving equipment is not like operating your F150 so experienced operators may well earn around 100K. His real problem is age. He might well be willing to work full time for less but his age has a tendency to shut him out. Add 10 years to his age and you can forget it, ageism definitely kicks in at that point.