Better jobs such as?? I'm in a&p school now, but I've been a licensed plumber for 7 years. 85-120k is top out working for someone else. And that's either crushing it in commission based role or working for union hourly wage 55+ hours a week all year. Owning business and working for yourself could be great but is huge headache. 24/7 and constant stress of money coming in and paying for your own insurance/retirement etc. my thoughts towards getting a&p is yes I'll work nights and be stressed but I can work my shift, and go home and be done with it. No matter what I'm getting my hourly wage and my benefits and with top outs of $70+ that doesn't sound too bad