Am I a prepared survey tech?

I've been surveying for over 8 years, started in the field like the rest of us, and was moved primarily inside after 3 years (company absorbed by another). I am now barely touching survey projects and rarely go in the field, only to try to fix problems and "important" stakeouts. I'm designing and drafting for minor land development, stormwater, and subdivision projects now. Doing client contact and going to municipal meetings. They want me to do more, grading, more design, etc., but I feel like I blow budgets because I don't have formal training and I'm not sure I get the help I need to do more. Frankly, I'm not sure I will even be able to do some stuff like grading design, I just have very little creativity.

I have no degree, but in my state, we can get licensed with just experience, which is my goal. I'm getting paid 24/hr and no benefits. We had benefits at first but frankly, they weren't great. The only real benefit I have is an amazing work/life balance and being able to take off essentially whenever I want. I KNOW I am not compensated enough. But I'm worried I'm not actually prepared to go somewhere that WILL compensate me fairly. I feel like I was never taught good practices in the field, even simple things like closing a traverse and what to do if it doesn't close. Just getting the job done for cadastral and stakeout. I'm confident in the office when it comes to survey plats and subdivisions, but I don't know how much would actually be expected of me, beyond that, elsewhere. Like, should I just know what goes on certain land dev plans? That rhetorical, but the sentiment holds even for stuff I am confident with.

I'm afraid to go to a new company and they ask me to do something in the field that I've never done before. Or give me a simple subdivision project and when I hand it over for review, it comes back covered in blood. I'm afraid of being honest about (field) stuff in fear of throwing my PLS under the bus. To be clear, I think he's a great surveyor (I have no real concept because he's the only one I've worked for), but he's overworked and forced into a budget and can't really worry about what he wants to worry about. And mostly, I'm afraid of leaving the company because I'm almost certain at least the survey outfit will crash and burn without me. I know that shouldn't be my concern but I do love the people, it's like a family. No, they can't afford to pay me more for a number of reasons, including me blowing budgets for design projects I'm given.

I have just recently started sending out resumes because I've really had enough. And because to even sit for the FS, I need five references (back to only working for this one PLS). But this is why I'm worrying now. I don't know how to present myself or my capabilities if I get an interview. I don't want to get a job and be totally unprepared. I'm not really sure what I'm asking here. I guess for some encouragement, and what is really, truly expected from a survey technician on the path to a license? And what should I expect, pay wise? I know this is dependent on location, I'm in PA. TIA