Not only is the lack of steady work a problem, but also there are other costs of freelancing that people don't consider when employed. I have to be pretty careful about additional taxes, cost of equipment and other necessities (everything from my own computer and software to desk, chair, internet and more), and especially for me, health insurance in CA where I have preexisting conditions that insurance companies hate. (And yes I've done my research on group rates and such...that's yet another thing I have to do that I wouldn't have to worry about as much if I were employed.)
So yeah, I might seem ridiculously expensive when I go bill someone at $200/hour, but I make nowhere near $300k and out of what I do make, I don't get to save a lot after paying all the bills. But in exchange, I get a lot more freedom when it comes to working, which leaves room to do other things in my life. It's a tradeoff I'm willing to make because I can find fairly steady work, but I would never do it if I had a family or if making money was my sole objective.
So yeah, I might seem ridiculously expensive when I go bill someone at $200/hour, but I make nowhere near $300k and out of what I do make, I don't get to save a lot after paying all the bills. But in exchange, I get a lot more freedom when it comes to working, which leaves room to do other things in my life. It's a tradeoff I'm willing to make because I can find fairly steady work, but I would never do it if I had a family or if making money was my sole objective.