Once you’ve satisfied the rigorous requirements of becoming an elevator mechanic, you can expect to earn a salary of more than $84,000 per year. Other types of first-line supervisors work at power plants, fire departments, and mechanic shops. Because supervisors can work in such a wide range of different fields, they can earn vastly different salaries, ranging from $60,000 to $90,000 per year.
Other examples of blue-collar jobs include train conductors, who ensure the safe transportation of passengers and cargo, and aircraft mechanics, who inspect and repair aircraft engines. These roles might not always require a college degree, but they do demand specialized skills or expertise, making them indispensable in their respective fields. In contrast, not all white collar jobs pay well due to the workforce having too many people applying for the same job.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provided the numbers of workers in every profession, including blue collar jobs. For example, in 2018, construction laborers numbered around 1,405,000 while workers in maintenance and repair totalled 1,488,000. Historically, the popularity of the colour blue among manual labourers contrasts with the popularity of white dress shirts worn by people in office environments. The blue collar/white collar colour scheme has socio-economic class connotations. However, this distinction has become blurred with the increasing importance of skilled labor, and the relative increase in low-paying white-collar jobs.
Therefore, bot activity that doesn’t conform to BLS usage policy is prohibited. Once you’ve finished your training, you can expect to earn around $64,000 per year on average. You will also likely be a member of a union, giving you a cushion of added benefits and increased job security.
Supervisors are essential for making sure that operations run smoothly and that their employees provide consistently high-quality work. Depending on the field in which you want to work, you’ll need to meet a few different requirements to become a supervisor. On top of the job freedom enjoyed by many electricians, they can earn between $30,000 and $60,000 per year. Electricians who own their own business are likely to make much more, but be prepared to put a lot of additional work and effort into it. Once you’ve put in the work to become a power distributor and dispatcher, you can enjoy a comfortable salary of more than $90,000 per year.
- This categorization system was based on the color or type of clothing people wore in their jobs.
- While it is not required, many employers prefer candidates with some college or vocational experience.
- Many different careers are considered blue-collar and this article will help you understand what it means to be a blue collar worker.
- Other key distinctions between the two include differing educational backgrounds and social classes among others.
- Many manufacturing jobs have been offshored to developing nations which pay their workers lower wages.
Certain blue-collar positions also require a college or trade school education because they involve the use of advanced and specialized technologies. Several terms—like pink collar, gray collar, green collar, white collar, and gold collar—describe workers in their respective industries to indicate the kinds of jobs they do. Blue collar work is often hourly and is protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act which can help set requirements for overtime pay and hours. The top end of blue-collar compensation ranges from $55,000 to more than $100,000.
What is a blue collar worker?
Workers of any profession can be classified in a specific collar type job, including white, blue, pink, black, etc. For example, pink collar workers are those in professions that used to be popular among women (e.g. nurses). Ensuring workplace safety is a critical concern due to the nature of blue collar jobs, which often involve manual labor and exposure to various risks.
White collar meaning
Transportation and logistics jobs are blue collar due to their hands-on, physically demanding tasks, including driving, loading, and unloading. These roles also involve operating and maintaining vehicles and equipment to move and deliver goods. The growth of blue collar jobs is presented in a map on the site of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, based on BLS data.
What Is Blue Collar? Definition and Job Examples
The primary distinction between blue collar and white collar workers lies in the nature of their work. Blue collar workers engage in manual labor https://1investing.in/ and require specific vocational skills and hands-on experience. They commonly wear uniforms and work in settings that demand physical effort.
VR and AR enhance safety awareness and preparedness by allowing workers to practice emergency response in a controlled environment. Efforts should be made to recognize and value the skills and expertise of these workers. Moreover, employers can implement career development programs that offer training and mentorship to help these workers acquire new skills and progress within their respective fields. The Industrial Revolution ushered in the era of the blue-collar worker when individuals began moving from rural areas in search of work. People began flocking to large cities where factories were labor to operate machinery and work on the production line. The term white-collar, on the other hand, became popular in the 20th century.
Unlike the requirements of many blue collar jobs, nuclear power reactor operators need to prepare for several different exams and licensing requirements. Nuclear power reactor operators must additionally pass frequent health and recertification exams to continue working. Owing to their technical expertise, most blue collar workers find employment in energy, aeronautics, and even filmmaking. Manufacturing jobs, truck drivers, construction, and welding are all some of the most popular blue collar career options, but there are so many more out there. Gold collar signifies white-collar workers who come with higher skills and are in higher demand. Red-collar workers are those who work in the government whose salaries come from the red ink budget.
It was traditionally used to describe laborers with little education and few skills. The term refers to the blue uniforms or other work clothing that is usually worn for blue-collar jobs. In fact, the term has evolved, as many of today’s blue-collar workers are highly trained and skilled and are highly paid accordingly. Being blue-collar used to imply that a worker was less educated and possessed few desirable skills.
Many blue-collar workers work with heavy machinery, using skills that can be acquired on the job or through trade schools. Classifying workers by the color of their shirts dates back to the early 1920s. This categorization system was based on the color or type of clothing people wore in their jobs.
There are other perceived differences, as well, including educational backgrounds, appearances, and social classes. Since many blue-collar jobs consist of mainly manual labor, educational requirements for workers are typically lower than those of white-collar workers. Often, not even a high school diploma is required, and many of the skills required for blue-collar jobs are learned what is blue collar by the employee while working. Some of these students, staff, and faculty refer to themselves as blue-collar scholars. Blue-collar jobs encompass a wide range of professions that primarily involve physical labor or skilled trades. These jobs are often contrasted with white-collar roles, which are typically office-based and may involve administrative or managerial tasks.
