I think this is a good option, but if it were as good as I think seems everyone would be doing it?
When I was a kid my mom was a secretary for the local CAT dealer (side note: her pay was atrocious but as a single mom she stayed for insurance-- 90% medical and 60% dental paid with no co-pays way back when)
ANYWAY she made it sound like the techs made good $. Also seemed like there was unlimited OT if they wanted it. OT was 1.5 and working on holidays was 2x.
Given the nature of the equipment field calls were common and also 2x pay. They often got the diesel pusher motor homes, too.....because in a small town who else can work on them? No one around here.
My local CDOT has a big programmable digi sign on the highway right now: hiring mechanic. I have a good friend who retired from CDOT -- pay is decent and of course benefits are quite good.
I imagine
@AutoMechanic could wander into a local DOT and present his case and start at more than he makes now with even better bennies (esp retirement). Make it clear you may not have experience on heavy equipment but you're smart, eager to learn, have a good complement of tools and will show up everyday. I bet in 15 years you're the lead tech there just supervising others and making a very comfortable living.