Blue collar jobs are an essential part of the economy and are often overlooked. From construction to manufacturing, these jobs are the backbone of many industries and provide skilled workers with the opportunity to make a good living. For those looking to enter the workforce, or to transition to a new career path, it can be daunting to know where to start. That’s why we have compiled this list of blue collar jobs to provide you with the information you need to help you make an informed decision. This blog will provide a detailed and comprehensive overview of the different types of blue collar jobs and the skills required for success in each respective field. We’ll also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of blue collar work and provide some tips on how to land the job of your dreams. So, whether you’re a recent college graduate or a career changer, this list of blue collar jobs will give you the insights you need to make an informed decision.
What is a blue-collar worker?
An employee who performs physical tasks or a skilled trade is typically referred to as a “blue-collar worker.” In the past, the phrase “blue collar” referred to the dark-colored work attire that manual laborers wore to cover up dirt while they worked, such as the dark blue coveralls worn by mechanics. Modern blue-collar workers may don a variety of colored work attire, but they continue to engage in skilled trades.
Blue-collar jobs require different kinds of skills and abilities. Employees are typically compensated per hour, and those with specialized manual and physical skills may be able to command high hourly rates.
25 in-demand blue-collar positions
Browse this list if you’re considering applying for blue-collar jobs to get ideas for potential future careers. For the most current salary, click on the salary links.
A firefighter’s primary responsibilities include putting out fires and saving people in perilous situations. They arrive at emergency scenes in firetrucks and employ a variety of tools to extinguish flames, assess risks, and render first aid.
Primary responsibilities include deep cleaning clients’ residences and maintaining cleanliness through routine floor sweeping, dishwashing, laundry of clothes and linens, dusting and polishing of surfaces, cleaning of linens, scrubbing of toilets, and trash removal. They are in charge of keeping the house neat, clean, and presentable.
Cooks’ main responsibilities include preparing meals according to orders from their clients. They get ready by chopping vegetables, breaking down meats, combining marinades, and weighing out ingredients. Cooks prepare meals using grills, ovens, fryers, and stoves, timing each step of a recipe to deliver the dish on schedule.
A custodian is a sanitation worker who maintains a large building’s cleanliness for daily use, such as a school or office complex. They remove litter and garbage from public spaces and properly dispose of it in the trash or recycling. They also take care of general maintenance and sweep, mop, wax, and vacuum the floors.
A material handler’s main responsibilities include removing inventory from storage and manually moving it to another location so that it can proceed to the following supply chain stage. Material handlers strive to increase the effectiveness of operations at a manufacturing facility, distribution center, or transporter.
Forklift operators work in warehouses and their main responsibilities include operating forklifts safely through aisles of stock to transport shipping and storage containers from one location to another. They keep track of the locations of all inventory types as well as the storage locations of various shipments.
Maintenance of lawns, bushes, trees, and other landscaping features is the main responsibility of landscape technicians. They cut the grass, spread fertilizer, install drainage systems, trim bushes and trees, edge yards, plant flowers, and treat gardens for pests and diseases.
Primary responsibilities: Building a new structure, such as a building, road, or bridge, requires a construction team to work together. Construction workers use powerful equipment, such as jackhammers, cranes, excavators, and bulldozers, to move concrete, stone, and steel beams, build scaffolding, and load materials.
Primary responsibilities include managing routine structural and cosmetic repairs for a building’s grounds and upkeep of the building itself. They clean up leaves and snow from parking lots and driveways on business property, fix broken drywall or tile, and take care of minor electrical issues.
Main responsibilities: Streetcar, trolley, light rail, and train drivers are in charge of ensuring that their vehicle reaches every stop along a predetermined route. They stop and slow down in response to traffic signals to ensure that they can cross streets safely. Streetcar drivers work together with nearby maintenance personnel to clear the track of debris and keep their vehicle operating properly.
Welders’ main responsibilities include creating new things and strengthening existing structures by joining and fortifying metal pieces with heat and electricity. To ensure the structural integrity of the metal objects, they inspect, cut, and prepare the materials for safe handling, weld them together, and perform stress tests.
A gas pipe technician’s main responsibilities include inspecting gas lines for leaks and cracks before they become problems. Gas piping professionals perform tests on pipeline equipment, such as valves and pipes, to determine the amount of gas they are transporting, and if the results are inconsistent, they make repairs.
Primary responsibilities include operating cargo trucks and traveling long distances in them to deliver goods on schedule. In order to be alert on the road and meet deadlines, they confirm the type of cargo they’ll be transporting, monitor the process of loading and unloading trucks, record the weight of their cargo, and plan their trips.
In order to protect the interior of the building from leaks and outside debris, roofers install and repair roofing on buildings using materials such as shingles, asphalt, slate, wood, and metal. To finish the repairs, they ascend to the roof, lifting supplies and tools and securely positioning them to fasten to the structure.
Plant operators manage materials and equipment at energy facilities like nuclear power plants and oil refineries. They could gain knowledge of how to use specialized machinery with a specific function for processing chemical and industrial energy.
Stonemasons’ main responsibilities include shaping various types of rock for use as building materials or ornamentation. By shaping abrasive stone into geometric and organic forms, they produce grave markers, architectural features, statues, benches, tiles, and other building materials. A stone product can be etched and inscribed by stonemasons, or the rough stone can be finished using industrial buffers.
Ironworkers’ main responsibilities include shaping and installing metal building components like beams, girders, frames, doors, and gates. Metal pieces are unloaded, arranged, and strengthened for structural integrity. They can work with substantial industrial components or wrought iron decor that adds decorative accents to a building.
Creating and maintaining electrical systems is the primary responsibility of electricians, who also repair or install wiring, lighting systems, circuit boards, and electrical fixtures. Electricians identify the source of power outages and fix power lines to bring electricity back to a region. To avoid power outages or electrical fires, they install or repair electrical outlets and make sure everything is properly insulated.
Elevator technicians’ main responsibilities include installing and maintaining moving walkways, escalators, and other transportation devices that help people move around a building. To ensure the elevator or other machine operates safely and correctly, they set up cords, wires, pulleys, and rails using powerful machinery.
Automotive mechanics’ primary responsibilities include inspecting cars and trucks to spot issues and pinpoint mechanical issues. They test drive the car or run diagnostic tests to figure out which component of it is malfunctioning, and they fix and replace the brakes, the transmission components, the engines, the AC compressors, the belts, the tanks, and the pipes.
Primary responsibilities: Aircraft mechanics climb inside, on top of, and underneath the aircraft to work on the engines and other mechanical components. They fix and replace various components of an aircraft according to a maintenance schedule and thoroughly examine the machine to ensure it can fly safely. When installing and securing rivets, laying sheet metal, or cleaning out engine fans, aircraft mechanics use specialized materials.
A plumber’s primary responsibilities include managing all piping, water conveyance, and drainage systems that supply homes, businesses, or public areas like parks. They put in pipes and valves to regulate the flow of fresh and used water, locating leaks and patching them or changing the pipe as necessary. Plumbers assist homeowners with upkeep of kitchen and bathroom fixtures, fixing problems with water flow, and improving the accessibility of water sources.
Maintenance of temperature control and ventilation systems, such as air conditioners, central heating systems, refrigeration equipment, and vent networks, is the main responsibility of HVAC technicians. To assist a client in attaining a comfortable temperature and air quality in their space, they complete repairs, installations, and de-installations.
Construction inspectors’ main responsibilities include checking newly built structures for compliance with engineering specifications, safety standards, and local ordinances, zoning standards, and codes. They check the initial blueprints and completed structures to make sure they both adhere to the necessary requirements, notifying the building owner of any violations and establishing a deadline for fixing any problems.
List of 37 Popular Blue Collar Jobs After COVID-19
FAQ
What are the examples of blue-collar job?
Blue collar workers typically work outside of offices (on a construction site, a production line, while driving, etc.). ). They carry out their responsibilities using their hands and physical capabilities. Construction workers, machine operators, millwrights, assemblers, and truck drivers are a few examples of blue-collar workers.
Is teacher blue-collar?
- Electrical Installers and Repairers. …
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Techs. …
- Elevator Installers and Repairers. …
- Pile Driver Operators. …
- Petroleum Pump System Operators. …
- Police Officers. …
- Construction and Building Inspectors. …
- Telecommunications Equipment Installer.
Is janitor blue-collar?
Despite the fact that they frequently work in offices, these individuals typically earn less money than other white-collar workers. Teaching is traditionally categorized as a pink-collar occupation; in fact, it’s one of the most well-known pink-collar jobs. They can also be considered grey collar workers.
