Some of them are on less than the minimum wage.
They are self employed and have to pay for all their expenses, including travel.
One interviewed this evening on Channel 4 described a fee she earned of £50 to represent someone at the Leicester court. She lives in London and her travel costs etc were over £170. She was paid minus £120 for a day's work. They are also not payed for all or most of the preparation work. Junior criminal barristers have a wig and a massive overdraft - and they cannot afford to do the job in many cases. The whole system is screwed - and made worse by idiots like Raab.
At the other end of the scale experienced commercial lawyers (including barristers) can be earning a small fortune.