Others chime and correct me if you’ve worked as heavy duty diesel techs. The pay at say a CAT dealer would probably be under the same pay model volvogod mentioned BUT with heavy diesel tech if you get a job with a construction or larger snow removal company that hires their own mechanics, the work can be steady and rewarding. Don’t quote me on ‘good pay,’ that will vary. I currently operate a loader at a major airport for snow removal, but the season is just about done now. There are maybe 4 companies at the airport and the one I work for has at least 50 loaders, 50 sweepers of various sizes, and other equipment, you get the gist… They have 4 full time mechanics that have a mobile repair truck, hydraulic line cut and fitting in a shipping container when our machines break, and they work at the off-site shop. They also have tasks of re-fueling machines and doing long-distance trucking to pick up used equipment on company 18 wheeler trailers. They work year-round and are busy, and are all in their mid 30s to early 40s. If you’re into heavy equipment, this may be a good route, and if you get your DZ/AZ equivalent in the US (CDL I think?), you will be at a higher chance of getting hired for a heavy duty diesel tech position, at least I know it helps in Canada.
Texas not ideal for snow removal talk, but same gist when it comes to construction companies and larger trucking companies. And call me biased on this one (anecdotal to a degree), but the attitude vibe I’ve gotten from heavy duty techs, both junior and senior, has been more humble compared to lots of younger techs at car dealerships. And I’ve been in the shop environments, not talking just as when I was a paying customer and the boss tells them to ‘put on a smile’ for customer relations.
Why I mentioned the above is because like volvogod was saying, if the techs don’t like you they won’t help you, and in heavy diesel environments, I’ve gotten vibes of helpfulness (still take this with a grain of salt and each workplace will be different). From Toromont Cat (Dozers, excavators) to smaller equipment (skid steers/ mini-excavators)
Job search options are there: equipment rental companies, city work fleets…
In terms of the current car, I would collect a million clunkers if I had the space, but I say let this one go as others have mentioned. This following suggestion is much different, but I am speaking to the level of experience you are saying you have with mechanics as a beginner: Get an 8th Gen Honda Civic to learn how to wrench. They do 400KM if maintained half-decently. I’ve had 5 of these, and currently own a manual and an automatic. You might even make a profit fixing one up. They are cheap, yet both basic enough to learn on, AND complex enough because they have tight packaging on a lot of items (for example, starter will test your beginner skills, and doing a clutch requires subframe removal.) And if you mess up who cares, you can find a running one with some dents and 300KM that you can work on and use for another 100KM, worst case you scrap it or part it out. 2006-2011 ONLY, 2012 and up is junk in comparison, I’ve had a 2012, and a 2015 cvt civic with 95km I bought for a flip and was worse build quality. Maybe you’re not a JAP car person, but consider it.
The best channel in my opinion for total beginners is Eric The Car Guy. Professional, calm explanations starting from the basics. Scotty Kilmer is very good in some of his videos but his style may drive you nuts lol
In terms of cars for me, I decided it made more sense to continue as a hobbyist and try as a YouTuber making videos whenever I have time, in order to possibly make some extra money on the side down the road. Been at it for a year and a half, and will only start to find out if its even worth it to continue when I get monetized in about year LOL
Check out my channel, maybe you can learn a few things there too; I do more specific repairs on specific cars, versus generic, which I feel is more useful than geneitric channels.
In any route you choose car or career wise, all the best!