And I know fine well that IT can earn you mega-bucks!
Edit: And engineering!
Mayhaps you two are in the wrong avenues of your particular disciplines? Engineers on contract here get upwards of £25 an hour, and up to 40.
Oh you can earn stupid money, and indeed I used to in the early 90s as a contractor in London, but I'm my wife & kids get in the way of that lifestyle (plus I am so tired of London & Dublin)
Personally it's I think it's a case the people who have the actual skills and do the actual implementation (ie fix what the consultants, trainers, project managers and sales people promise) that are paid the least.
It seems the same in engineering and other spheres
