In the past I worked for a national company making 10 cpl, and could easily clear $1100 in two weeks. Anyone who can't do that I wonder how they can survive in this field unless they have another income in their household. I now make 13 cpl working directly for a small clinic, and have had to hire some part-time help to keep up with all the work.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention--When I first got interested in MT work 12+ years ago, I taught myself how to type using an electronic typewriter I bought at Target for $100. Within a couple of months I got my typing speed up to 60 wpm, and then I was able to get great training on the job at an acute-care hospital that I had previously worked for in a clerical position. (The transcription supervisor had said she would train me if I got my typing speed up to par).
Not really meaning to pat myself on the back, but just to show that anyone who really tries hard can learn this profession. One also needs to have an aptitude for vocabulary, and being a good speller helps a lot.