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Someone who performs manual labor
- A blue collar worker refers to someone who performs manual labor, typically in a manufacturing, construction, or industrial setting. These jobs often involve physical work and may require specific skills or training.
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Jan 29, 2024 · A blue collar worker refers to someone who performs manual labor, typically in a manufacturing, construction, or industrial setting. These jobs often involve physical work and may require specific skills or training.
- Priya Jain
Oct 26, 2023 · A blue-collar worker is a person who performs manual labor or is involved with one of the skilled trades. These jobs are usually physically taxing, sometimes...
- Overview
- What is blue-collar?
- How did blue-collar originate?
- Industries with blue-collar workers
- Education requirements for blue-collar jobs
- Skills for blue-collar jobs
- Other employment “collars”
The term “blue collar” is an informal classification of employment that generally refers to jobs requiring physical labor or trade. There are a variety of blue-collar careers you can pursue depending on your training, interests and skills. Understanding what roles are available and how much they allow you to earn can help you decide which career path is right for you.
In this article, we describe what blue-collar means, how the term originated and industries that offer blue-collar career options for you to consider.
The stereotype "blue collar" refers to a job that involves manual labor often within an industry that a labor union regulates to physically build and maintain a product or equipment. Individuals who hold blue-collar jobs, such as those in construction, agriculture, manufacturing and shipping, are often referred to informally as blue-collar employees. These jobs are typically physically demanding, requiring employees to work outdoors or with heavy machinery.
Blue-collar employees usually receive compensation by the hour or completed task instead of a weekly or monthly salary. As technology advances and employees learn related skills, their wages typically increase.
“Blue collar” was first used in a 1924 newspaper to refer to trade jobs. It referred to the blue denim or chambray shirts, jeans, overalls and boilersuits that many industrial and manual employees like welders, boilermakers, bricklayers, masons and coal miners wear. Dark colors, such as blue, had an expectation to help hide dirt and other elements on soiled clothes due to physical labor.
Related: What Is a Blue-Collar Worker? (With Careers and Skills)
Trucking
People employed in the trucking industry transport large quantities of finished goods and raw materials over land, usually from manufacturing plants to retail or distribution centers. Some of the most common and in-demand roles in the trucking industry include: •Mover: $42,149 per year •Logistics coordinator: $42,270 per year •Driver: $58,177 per year •Freight broker: $71,189 per year •Truck driver: $82,150 per year Related: How To Become a Truck Driver
Automotive maintenance and repair
Employees in this industry perform repairs and maintenance on different types of vehicles, from motorcycles and small passenger cars to diesel buses and trucks. Some of the most common jobs in the automotive maintenance and repair industry include: •Tire technician: $38,552 per year •Auto appraiser: $58,228 per year •Auto mechanic: $63,164 per year •Service technician: $64,660 per year •Auto body technician: $68,219 per year Related: 15 Careers in the Automotive Industry To Explore
Construction
Construction jobs allow individuals to work with their hands, usually outside and at many different locations. Construction employees build bridges, hospitals, roads, houses and other structures. Common jobs include: •Construction inspector: $41,225 per year •Mason: $41,548 per year •Steel fixer: $55,847 per year •Plumber: $56,178 per year •Ironworker: $57,518 per year •Boilermaker: $65,004 per year •Surveyor: $77,263 per year •Site superintendent: $82,627 per year Related: 17 Careers in the Construction Trades (With Salary Info)
While four-year degree programs can prepare you for blue-collar jobs, it's more common to get a two-year degree from a technical school or community college. For some roles, you only need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Many skilled trades also offer on-the-job training and apprenticeships. During an apprenticeship, you can expect to spend several months or a few years working with an experienced tradesperson. Once completed, you become a qualified tradesperson. Many blue-collar occupations require state licensure, so check with professional organizations near you as you pursue your chosen career.
Mechanical skills
People in blue-collar roles may use mechanical skills to work with machinery, build or create products and serve customers. Possessing mechanical skills is essential to understanding how a product works. These skills may also entail identifying and troubleshooting potential problems or malfunctions with equipment.
Problem-solving skills
Some blue-collar employees work outside in all kinds of weather conditions. Others work at manufacturing plants where they may encounter challenges like an electrical failure at the same time an order has a deadline. People in these roles may use their problem-solving skills to proactively look for alternative solutions for various issues. Related: What Are Problem-Solving Skills? Definitions and Examples
Technical skills
Some blue-collar roles entail working with computer systems to maintain a company's operations, such as improving product quality and runtime. Employees also may access detailed work orders through computerized systems, making technical skills essential.
White-collar workers
White-collar workers typically have jobs in an office setting and involve managerial, administrative and clerical duties with little to no manual labor. The term "white collar" once referred to the white shirts that these employees typically wear.
Green-collar workers
Green-collar workers are employed in the environmental sectors of the economy. Often called “green workers,” they help fill the ever-growing need and demand for green development. They tend to focus on implementing environmentally conscious designs, policies and technologies designed to help improve environmental conservation and sustainability.
Black-collar workers
The term “black collar” historically referred to those whose collars became black by the nature of their work in places like mines and oil rigs. It's now an informal classification for creative specialists like artists, graphic designers and video producers with an informal preference for dark attire.
Apr 18, 2024 · What is a blue-collar job? Blue-collar is a stereotype that refers to occupations involving physical labor or a skilled trade. While white-collar employees typically work in an office setting, blue-collar employees work in construction, manufacturing, mining, maintenance or other physically demanding roles.
Mar 20, 2024 · At its core, the concept of blue collar refers to a classification of individuals who predominantly engage in manual labor occupations. These roles span a range of vocations, including construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and mining.
Blue collar jobs typically involve manual labor and skilled trades performed in a hands-on environment. Workers in blue collar professions often work with their hands, tools, and machinery to perform tasks such as construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and repair.
A Blue-Collar worker is an employee whose work requires physical skill or strength rather than office skills. A blue-collar worker is a manual worker. Factory workers and workshop employees, for example, are blue-collar workers. People who work in ‘trades’ are also in this category.
