I am an electrician. Got my license after five years and work for a large electrical contractor. I am in the 45 $/hr range is you break it down hourly and good helpers are 20 - 28 $/hr. If you concentrate, and enjoy it, figure on making decent money within 2 years. Don't go to school, just start working for anybody that will hire you. Learn what you can and bust your ass. Keep moving around for the first 5 years and get exposed to different categories of work. There are a lot of options, fire alarm, power distribution, low voltage, access security….. Good luck, anon. FIND WHAT YOU LOVE. It's hard work.
Also, the elevator guys I know make great money. They get overtime like you wouldn't believe. Not really sure how to break in though.