Source: I know my trusted plumber makes well over six figures a year and he cannot take all calls. I asked him once if he has problems generating leads and he smiled saying "I have too much business that I turn people away". He is a "master plumber" which these days is not easy to get certified for in many states. He told me he cannot find enough skilled master plumbers to help him (state of NJ).
I do think some of the inflated values of some jobs is they are somewhat opaque, while the stuff of jobs like plumbing is easier to at least conceptualize, even if the work itself still requires skill and care. It’s easier for a BS job to inflate its importance if people don’t know exactly how it works.
I'm an ICT5 at Apple (not the best-paying, but hey, less layoffs) and I reported ~$750k last year. There are ICT levels going up to 9...
How does a plumber avoid kneeling?
They technically have the option of reducing weight, exercise, proper shoes, knee braces and knee pads, kneeling pads, and such.
What I am suggesting is that both (all?) jobs have their own health related demons.
Especially when working from home any health-related dangers around software development can be all but completely eliminated. This isn't even remotely comparable to any of the health or occupational risks in the trades.