Don't know about the US, but in Australia at least, mechanics / electricians / welders / plumbers / etc ("tradies" as we call them) generally do quite well financially. Income often above the average for a university graduate. Often more job security. And often significant tax breaks due to being self-employed.

Also, income aside, I don't think that tradies belong in the broad "no college education" group, as almost all of them have a tertiary qualification (apprenticeship + TAFE diploma in Australia, maybe community college is the equivalent in the US?), even though it's not necessarily a bachelor's university degree.