[BenFranklin100]

Electrician should be your first option. Pay is often better than other trades and it is more intellectually demanding and less physically demanding at the same time. There’s a shortage now too.

Most electricians easily work into their 60s so age should not be a factor. You will need to start off as an apprentice but given your demonstrated technical ability, I would hope you’ll be able to identify niche jobs within the profession that you will give you leg up for more rapid advancement.

[ptyyy]

I worked as an electrician in the military, albeit for aircraft. I do miss getting my hands dirty in that regard; however, the civilian side aircraft electrician pay is not remotely comparable to my SE salary (in fact it'd be a more than 50% pay cut). Is residential/commercial electrician pay closer to SE pay?

[ohthatsnotright]

Not until you're a master electrician.

And that comes after years of ditch digging and other labor intensive apprentice tasks.