There's many types. I sold Audi/Porsche and every now and then I'd sell a fancy car to a FedEx driver type that does long haul runs to other states (with a team driver next to him), and he'd be making $150k a year+. Not bad for 4 days a week work, and ability to live in a slightly lower cost area.

Truck drivers making $80k a year and home most nights is pretty common.

If that tucker lived within his/her means saved and invested in some blue-chip stocks they could be doing well long since 2005...

I ran it by Gemini, and it says that the top 10% earn more than $78,800 annually.

I believe your experience is with the top end of the distribution.

Well California automatically pays more than most of the country. And I believe FedEx has some Union drivers. And yes, just like the average software engineer salary isn't all that dang high, when we discuss the industry we tend to look at the most successful group we aspire to be in, not the burnouts that aren't that good at their job.

Three things live within your means save and invest.

Often a mid level engineer salary at least.