A lot of it will depend on where you live - to be honest I don't think you will be paid any more as an "adult" than a younger apprentice - the costs to the employer are the same.  It is a good career and can lead you down many different paths.  You will probably become more valuable to your employer quicker if you are an adult apprentice as you are likely to be more reliable than some of the younger ones - usually it all depends on attitude, passion and application.  The starting wage for most apprentices is the minimum wage, and there are costs - the apprenticeship cost will be deducted weekly by SKILLS on an automatic payment, you will need a trainee licence each year (currently SKILLS organisation pays for that) at the completion of your apprenticeship you need to sit registration exams in the trades you trained in at $400 a pop and then first time registration for each trade is aROUND $1100.