I went back to school for microbiology when I was 30. I had just lost a job due to my company's CEO stealing our employee stock and forcing the company into bankruptcy. I always loved science, felt like college was something I always wanted to complete, so I went for it. My wife was supportive, and we both worked while I finished my degree. I graduated early, with honors, and am still not sure if this was the right decision. Let me tell you why.
You will need to continue your education through Phd and post doc to get that high paying science job (there are many ways to make a better living with a micro degree, such as medical equipment sales, but I am talking straight research). Unless you live in a few select places in the US, you won't be making any money as a lab tech. And, don't forget about your student loan.
As a non-trad, non-veteran, I could only get grants for crushing my classes, which was not an easy task, because I also had to take 20 credits for 2 years (anything after 12 is free in my school) to be able to afford tuition. I had nothing else except Pell grants and academic achievement awards. All those awards are given to "outstanding" youths, and the veterans have no worries about school loans.
So since I had to work full time (mortgage) while in school, I could not "work" (ie volunteer) in a lab until my final year. Unfortunately that is not enough experience for grad school, so I worked in the public sector, in a lab, in my field after graduating.
After awhile, it came down to either moving to a biotech city in the US, or start my own business to be able to pay off my loans + life expenses. I have a lot of experience in the trades, so I eventually went back to what I know will make me money.
I am doing fantastic now. I still keep up to date on science, and even thought about going back to school a few years ago. When I really start crunching numbers, and then remember that I have two children, I know a career in science is not for me. I had no life in my senior year, working in a lab, taking 20 credits, and working on all sorts of side projects for my PI, who treated me like a slave (I was his age, but he definitely looked down on me). I now make about the same as my PI did when I knew him, and twice as much as my boss at the lab I worked in after graduating. I have absolutely ZERO stress, and I work whenever the hell I want.
Just two years ago, I was in charge of a $500k protein purification system. That shit gave me nightmares every single goddamn night I worked in that lab. One fuck up, and a rep from GE has to come out and fix the shit and hand me a bill for $40k... Now I literally have no stress when I compare my life to back then...
Don't get me wrong... I value higher education, and the $50k I spent on my education did teach me some very valuable things, but not about microbiology. It taught me what I was capable of when I set my mind to something. Just know, it is a long road ahead of you. Kids are not good in this equation (I still remember the hopelessness of studying for an Ochem exam with a screaming infant in the next room). A relationship is best with someone in your field (my wife had no idea wht the hell I was ever talking about. I would always try to tell her something new and exciting I had learned that day, but she just had no idea what I was ever talking about). Social lives will consist of Facebook group chats. You will be poor AF (some researchers in my old lab would be functionally homeless, using one of the many couches in our building for sleep and study, and gym for showering).
TL:DR Do not go back unless you REAAALLY love science.