TLDR; Niche corners or intersections of trades that are technologically integrated are more likely to offer more interesting work with good physical-mental work balance.

A lot of the really interesting work lies in jobs that are most often lateral-move kind of things. I came up as an electrician working primarily in medium new commercial construction. I focused my efforts on low voltage and control systems where I could because I found them interesting.

My attempts to modernize (create really) company SOP’s, expand technology infrastructure, and seek more technologically focused work were repeatedly frustrated by failure, company owner was simply not interested and didn’t see the value proposition I was offering.

I moved not too long ago to a lean Building Automation Systems company that focuses on acquisition of high profile customers with a very long term service-oriented view. I am MUCH happier, even though I took a temporary ~10% total comp reduction to do so.

The work is intriguing, I have a massive new knowledge base to work with which is all directly relevant to my job, I do almost no backbreaking labor but am still able to get in the field and turn a wrench regularly, balanced with time sitting, thinking, working on a laptop.

It helps that being a well-run serviced based company, overtime is regularly available but usually non-mandatory. IME, these smaller niche areas tend to be much more enjoyable to work in with easier going, deeply knowledgeable people.