If you run your own shop being a mechanic can pay alright, but working for someone else you don't really earn much. When you weigh up the tools you need to buy and all that during your apprenticeship you are pretty much working to buy tools.

However, being a plant mechanic or truck mechanic pays a fair bit better, bigger equipment and heavier but the pay is better.

I also agree with the others as the trade is worth having, being a mechanic teaches you how to solve problems that are in front of you which can be applied to all aspects of life.