Underwater welding is pretty rough--all of the danger (and expertise required) of deep sea diving plus all of the danger of welding. I have a strong suspicion

Underwater welding is pretty rough--all of the danger (and expertise required) of deep sea diving plus all of the danger of welding. I have a strong suspicion unless you started from a young age and got trained in the Navy or other industry as an apprentice no one is going to spend the time and money to train you up when you'll only get a few years of good work in for them. Electricians are good but you're going to get zapped quite a few times in your career. From what I've heard plumbing is where it's at for finding a trade that will let you retire without destroying your body. All of my friends/family who got into construction eventually tried to find their way to plumbing because they saw it was something they could do well into their 40s and 50s without destroying themselves with overly physical work.