Is a trade job a good way to escape the rat race?

I've been hearing a lot about trade jobs being a great way to avoid the traditional 9-to-5 grind. Are trade jobs really a good path to financial independence and a different lifestyle?

Entering a trade job can definitely be an alternative path to the traditional 9-5 office job and can also be lucrative, but whether it leads to financial independence and an alternative lifestyle will depend on a few factors.

Trade jobs can be rewarding and high paying. The median pay for plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians, for instance, is well above the national average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and these fields also show decent growth prospects. And, instead of incurring student debt, many trade jobs allow employees to earn while they learn through apprenticeships.

However, keep in mind that trade jobs often require physical labor, and can be exhausting or even dangerous. You're often required to work outdoors, regardless of the weather, and may have to be on call during weekends or evenings. Additionally, the age at which physical labor becomes too demanding might come sooner than in desk jobs.

So, while trade jobs can provide a good income and a pathway to financial stability, they also come with their own set of challenges that might not suit everyone's lifestyle or long-term career goals. You'd need to weigh these pros and cons to see if a trade job would be the right pathway for you.