Blue-Collar Jobs

Information about blue-collar jobs.

By Toni Ross, Mar 19, 2024

Toni Ross is the Senior Editor of Betterteam. Her interests include developing resources that help build and grow value-oriented, connected teams, both personal and professional.

In the U.S., blue-collar jobs refer to occupations that generally involve some form of manual labor. Blue-collar workers use their hands and physical abilities to perform their duties. While blue-collar jobs often do not require formal education, they are highly specialized with skills obtained through apprenticeships or trade school.

Origin of the Term "Blue-Collar":

The term "blue-collar" first appeared in the 1920s in reference to trade workers. The phrase comes from the image of tradesmen wearing blue denim or canvas shirts as part of their uniform. The idea is that the dark blue color would conceal dirt or grease, helping them appear cleaner.

Blue-Collar vs. White-Collar Workers:

White-collar jobs usually require some sort of formal education with a bachelor's degree in a related field, in contrast to blue-collar jobs, which typically do not. Unlike blue-collar workers, white-collar workers don't do manual labor.

The Top 10 Blue-Collar Jobs for 2024:

01. Construction Manager

Construction managers earn around $100,000 per annum. The job outlook for construction managers indicates a projected industry growth of around 5% by 2032.

02. Elevator Mechanic

The average annual salary for an elevator mechanic is around $99,000. The elevator mechanic job outlook predicts a marginal industry growth of around 1% by 2032.

03. Power-Line Installer

The average annual salary for a power-line installer is around $82,000. The power-line installer job outlook predicts a 3% industry growth by 2032.

04. Production Supervisor

Production supervisors earn an average annual salary of around $69,100. The latest job outlook data for production supervisors indicates the industry only grew by 0.3% in recent years. However, certain production sectors showed significant growth.

05. Police Officer

Police officers earn around $69,100 per annum. The job outlook for police officers predicts a 3% industry growth by 2032.

06. Boilermaker

Boilermakers earn an average annual salary of around $66,000. The job outlook for boilermakers predicts a decline in employment of 4% by 2032.

07. Plumber

Qualified plumbers earn around $60,000 per year. The plumber job outlook data indicates marginal growth of 2% by 2032.

08. Electrician

Electricians earn an average annual salary of $60,000. The job outlook for electricians predicts a healthy 6% growth by 2032.

09. Truck Driver

Truck drivers earn on average around $49,920 per year. The truck driver job outlook data indicates a 4% industry growth by 2032.

10. Automotive Technician

Experienced automotive technicians earn around $46,000 per year. The job outlook data for automotive technicians predicts a 2% industry growth by 2032.

*Salary and projected growth data are best practice estimates for the U.S.

Blue-Collar Job Boards

A list of the best job boards for hiring blue-collar workers.

FAQs:

What does the term blue-collar mean?

In the U.S., blue-collar refers to the working class who perform manual labor outside of an office environment.

What education is required for a blue-collar job?

Most blue-collar jobs require no formal education. However, training is required either through apprenticeship programs or via a trade school.

What is the difference between a blue-collar and white-collar worker?

Blue-collar workers perform manual labor outside of an office environment, while white-collar workers are office professionals who perform desk, administrative, and managerial duties.

What are some blue-collar jobs?

Blue-collar jobs include elevator mechanics, truck drivers, boilermakers, plumbers, and electricians.