JDBurton,

Your are correct vehicles (cars & forklifts) getting more complicated and training, training & proper diagnostic equipment investment is required meaning big investment dollars are required.

Over the years, service techs in the automobile industry have advised me of the following key pros & cons -
1. Pro - nice clean and air conditioned service shop w/all the equipment they need (except their hand tools). Their customers come to them - no driving around in a van, etc. I once heard a dealer proclaim, in the early 2000's, in Dallas, Texas his shop was the only A/C cooled shop in town (in central Texas summer starts in April then it gets real hot until Sept when summer returns).
2.) Pro - vehicles are generally very clean to work on vs. those that come out of a meat packing plant, concrete operation, fish cannery, etc
3.) Con - the service techs are paid strictly by the flat rate manual. You have to "bust your buns" to make a decent living and. No work orders - no pay.
4.) Con - always under pressure to turn complete the work order - like at a good busy resteraunt - they want to turn the table as fast as possible.

As often said, "The grass always seems greener on the other side." Until you get here. There is no Utopia - not even for the dude driving around in his new BMW and taking extended golfing vacations. He or they have a lot of risk (they are on the hook to some finance company some where for sure) and like their homes, pictures on the wall, etc.