Around here a good design contractor working in motorsport can make around 40 GBP/hour just to churn out CAD models and drawings. Many of them can't work out a bending moment but have a sixth sense for complex composite surfacing and intricate castings, core patterns, etc. Most of the times though they tend to get the --- jobs such as bracketry, wiring harnesses and fluid hoses. Not a bad gig at all if you're into such things.
I for one think it's a real waste of talent.