It depends on the type of work they are doing but more importantly, how much they are making for their employer,
A simple example. My good friend has a business doing excavation, retaining walls etc. Operators that can dig a hole and fill a truck are paid $28ph and are the first to be laid off if there is no work.
Operators that can read plans, set out the job etc get paid $40ph plus a company ute.
I think many small to medium size employers are fair payers and understand the cost of losing key employees.