> Of the subset of construction workers known to you I haven't a clue but
> using that subset would seem a less useful rather than more useful starting
> point for such a discussion.
A limited and relatively privileged subset, to be sure: skilled union members in the city which, I believe, has the highest construction costs in the country.
> Since more than 20% of the people in this income bracket self report they
> live paycheck to paycheck, which certainly implies very low savings, 80%
> seems incredibly unlikely.
Impossible does not follow from uncommon. Lifestyles have a way of expanding to match (and often exceed) incomes, but that's a choice, consciously made or not.
-- "Hige sceal þe heardra, heorte þe cenre, mod sceal þe mare, þe ure mægen lytlað."