CNC machining has been a decent career so far. I make $25/hr with no college degree (8 years in). I’ve learned how to operate lathes, mills, grinders, screw machines, wire and sink EDMs. Not all shops are the same though. A lot have mandatory overtime and shitty management practices. I’ve ended up in a nice place though. Maybe not the best job in the world, but much better than retail or call center drudgery.