Trades generally have a peak salary, and yeah you can make some real good money doing it. But, Most of the old timers still in the trade are messed up physically. Worked with a plumber that could barely walk. Had a welder come on board the ship to weld in a new hatch dragging an oxygen bottle. We made him keep that in the next compartment from where he was welding. He had to step out between beads to get a breath. Sketchy AF.

If you do go into the trades, take care of your body. If you chose welding, make sure to get a slim line respirator to wear under your welding helmet. Miller Welding makes a good one that doesn’t interfere with the helmet.