Being a specialist gives you an edge. You'll be offering things few other people do.
You don’t have to be a doctor to become a specialist. A cleaning contractor could specialise in getting rid of asbestos. A painter could specialises in textured coatings.
If you want to break out of the rat race, look for a specialty and make sure there's a demand. Look especially for something others don't want to do. Generally, the harder, nastier or more dangerous a job is, the fewer people will do it.
If you're an expert, the job might not be hard for you, and you can charge a premium for your expertise.
Look for specialisation in your industry and up will go your income. You might need to study to become specialised, but it’s usually worth it.