Blue-collar worker is a working class person who performs manual labour. They usually do physical work that involves using their bare hands and skills. This is the exact opposite of a white-collar worker who usually works in the office that involves sitting and working in front of a computer all-day.
Most people tend to go for a white-collar job with the notion that it pays higher and that it is easier. There are high-paying white collar jobs indeed but there are also blue-collar jobs that pay well.
Skilled workers cannot be forced to work in an office with a computer. So for those of you who are looking for a blue-collar job that fits your skills and personality, here are some examples of high-paying blue-collar jobs in no particular order:
- Bricklayer – they work with heavy materials like concrete, cement, bricks, and tiles. This is perfect for those who have big muscles and healthy overall physique. They get around $91,930 annual salary.
- Police officer – a police officer’s salary can range from $50,000 to $116,000 while a sergeant’s salary can be from $105,000 to $131,000. These figures depend on their region.
- Bartenders – bartenders from upmarket bars in major cities can earn from $45,000 to $73,000 including tips. However, those who are bartending in small areas can earn lesser. But you can’t deny how fun and exciting it is to work as bartender. You get your audience every night.
- Personal Trainer – helping people in the gym to lose weight or gain muscles is not an easy job. It requires skills and a lot of discipline. This job is very physical (and involves a lot of sweat) indeed. You can be a professional personal trainer and earn up to $106,112.
- Chemical plant operator – chemical plant operators supervise the most automated equipment that produces chemicals, adhesives, paints, and other materials. You can earn $80,946 annually for this blue-collar work.
- Firefighter – you know how noble the job of a firefighter is. They rescue people from fire; they risk their own lives just to stop the fire from damaging properties of victims. They can earn up to $89,194 per year.
- Locomotive engineer –if you wish to be able to drive a train then you are perfect to become a locomotive engineer. This is a very serious and critical job though. You need to guide the trains along variety of grades in all conditions and you must also be ready to attend to any mechanical issues. A locomotive engineer earns around $125,990 annually.
- Medical Laboratory technician –if you do not feel bothered seeing blood every day then a job in the laboratory can suit you perfectly. You can be a medical laboratory technician and earn $83,474 annually. Take note that you must at least have an associate’s degree or in some cases a bachelor’s degree.
- Contractors and construction managers – construction jobs can be very physically demanding. You will work all day building houses, bridges, and other projects. Some people consider this as a dirty job since you get yourself dirty while performing your job. However, this so-called “dirty job” can give you decent money. Annual salary can vary from $32,000 to $110,000.
- Plumber – most men proclaim themselves as plumbers but a professional one can earn up to $80,668 a year.
You do not always need to wear suit and tie to earn big money. Sometimes, you can get dirty and earn up to 6-figure annual salary too.