Once you are good, you can earn quite a lot. It will take 10 years or more. The problem is sometimes we want it fast, me included. haha. Starting pay of engineer consider not too bad already, but yes cost of living is crazy.
A few people I talk to tells me that by now (age around 50), only they can say they know their stuff and it is the prime of their career. I tend to agree.
If you are a fast learner maybe earlier. There are very few at the level of Zuckerberg & Musk.
Find good people to be your mentors. If you have a good boss, learn all you can from him. Ride along a rising star.
well said =)