Keep in mind this is automotive, but Ill have been out of tech school for 10 years in March, I got a job working at a primarily 4x4 shop but we still worked on everything from 2 ton trucks down. I worked 44.5 hours a week and got $11/hr and some benefits with paying for all my own tools.

I have a bit above average mechanical and fab skills and Id probably take $50K/yr to work 40 hrs in a decent shop most of the time, do some in field repairs and farm a little for overtime, and if I wasnt fixing something, Id do farm work then too for the same amount.