Over half the average lifespan for the USA average and male, slightly under if female.
Unless you want to jump from "early" to "late", that puts 38 decidedly in the middle.
Sure, if you intend on working until your late 70s. I'm not sure which side of the coin with AI and shit wether or not coding vs hauling is a longer term career
Most people don't start working from birth, either.
However only about 15 years into your career (assuming college so starting work aged 23) with about 30 to go (retiring at 68)
50+ here. I think the point is it is ok to consider 38 as "later in life" if you take into account that there will be at least one or two other "laters in life" in your career.