There are a few trade jobs that are good money, but I find this idea that trade jobs overall are some overlooked gem completely preposterous. I work in the trad

There are a few trade jobs that are good money, but I find this idea that trade jobs overall are some overlooked gem completely preposterous. I work in the trades and while some jobs are decent, most trade jobs are still shit and pay shit for what you are doing. Especially when you factor in the high rates of injury and death, and the life long physical ailments that many of these jobs cause. Yeah you will make decent money laying brick, but what kind of physical shape are most 60 year old brick layers in? How much pain do they suffer and how much does that effect their total life span? You might look at a heavy equipment mechanic and think "Wow, they make a decent bit more than just a normal mechanic! What a good deal!" and not think about what kind of condition your hands are in after 40 years of wrenching on huge shit, a lot of the older mechanics have to get their wives to open jars because their hands are basically shot and can only hold a few clawed wrenching positions. Now there are some real sweet positions and trade jobs out there, don't get me wrong, but there are a whole lot more shit positions beneath that and a whole lot of other factors other than just the hourly pay.