Break the menial job cycle with no college degree?

Is it possible to get away from mindless menial jobs. I am pretty intelligent. Can build computer from the ground up, wire circuit boards and anything else electrical. Have a knack for fixing things (so I am told) I went to a trade school for automotive but am having little luck with that field. I have changed oil only for a few years and while proving myself competent by fixing vehicles that no one else could I was stuck changing oil. Then I worked on an embly line for two years and now am working for TSA. Is it possible to break this cycle and find a job thats more challenging and pays enough for me to live on? I dont have champagne wishes and caviar dreams. I know someone will see "Be thankful you have a job" and I am but feel like I am on a dead end road.