Posted on 05/20/2024 10:25:46 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
High-paying jobs are traditionally associated with office environments and involve clerical, managerial, or administrative duties. These are often referred to as "white-collar" jobs.
However, this does not affect the earning potential of skilled "blue-collar" professions that involve hands-on work. Let's explore the definition of blue-collar jobs and check some of the highest-paying positions in this field.
A focus on manual labour characterizes blue-collar jobs. These roles range from requiring minimal qualifications to demanding specialised skills and certifications. A college degree is usually not mandatory, but a high school diploma or GED is typically expected.
Blue-collar occupations span various industries, including retail, manufacturing, sanitation, food service, warehousing, and construction. Compensation typically comes in hourly wages, though some positions offer project-based or annual salaries.
Here we explore 14 of the most lucrative blue-collar professions in the United States. This ranking is based on the most recent mean annual wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023). It's important to note that salaries for these blue-collar jobs can vary depending on location, experience level, and specific employer.
Salary: $99,540 a year
Ship and boat captains and operators are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of vessels on waterways like rivers, lakes, and oceans. They oversee navigation, coordinate with crew members, and ensure adherence to maritime regulations.
To become a captain of a private or commercial vessel, you'll typically need a combination of experience at sea, passing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved exam, and relevant certifications. Anyone over 18 can qualify as a boat operator, but becoming a captain requires a dedicated career path.
Salary: $97,040 a year
Nuclear technicians play a vital role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities. They assist engineers and scientists with various tasks, including maintaining radiation detection and monitoring devices.
While a four-year degree is not always mandatory, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests many employers prefer candidates with an associate's degree in nuclear science, technology, or a related field. Additionally, relevant certifications and hands-on experience are highly valuable in this field. Military experience working with nuclear reactors or related technologies can also be a stepping stone to a nuclear technician career.
Salary: $94,820 a year
Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers are the unsung heroes who keep our lights on. They work together to ensure the safe and efficient generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.
These roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with on-the-job training and industry certifications. Some positions, particularly for nuclear power plant operators, may necessitate a specific degree and specialised licensing. All power plant personnel undergo rigorous background checks and drug screenings.
Salary: $93,960 a year
Installers and repair men are technicians who ensure the safe operation of elevators and escalators. Their duties involve installation, repair, and maintenance and may require on-call emergency response. The National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) offers apprenticeships in this field.
Salary: $93,850 a year
Makeup artists use cosmetics to enhance clients' appearance, including fashion shows, film productions, and special occasions. Earning potential can be exceptionally high in films, television, or theatre. Typically, they possess an esthetician's license or have undergone equivalent beauty school training.
Salary: $91,610 a year
These roles typically require experience as a police officer, often followed by specialized training in investigation. A background in criminal justice or forensics can also be beneficial.
Salary: $85,630 a year
Commercial divers perform underwater construction, maintenance, and repair tasks. They require a high school diploma, GED, physical fitness, and specialised diving, welding, and underwater operations training.
Salary: $84,860 a year
Broadcast technicians and engineers, who often work behind the scenes, ensure the smooth operation of equipment for radio and television broadcasts. Some technical skills can be learned on the job, but numerous employers prefer candidates with specialised training or apprenticeships.
Salary: $84,860 a year
Dental hygienists provide dental care alongside dentists, performing teeth cleanings, screenings, and patient education. They must graduate from an accredited program and pass national exams.
Salary: $84,410 a year
Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound technology to create images of internal organs for medical diagnosis. An accredited two-year sonography program typically qualifies you for this career.
Salary: $84,190 a year
Postmasters and mail superintendents oversee staff, ensure efficient mail processing and delivery, and maintain office operations. The role typically requires passing qualifying exams and background checks, and experience in administration can be beneficial.
Salary: $83,790 a year
This category comprises those who manage agricultural operations, including farms and ranches. The role often involves hands-on work, business expertise, and joint on-the-job training. For more information, explore Farmers.gov, a U.S. Department of Agriculture resource.
Salary: $82,770 a year
These workers install and maintain power lines, ensuring electricity reaches homes and businesses. The job often requires on-call availability and can involve working in challenging weather conditions. Apprenticeships are a common pathway to this career, and they are the best way to enter this field.
Salary: $81,530 a year
As the name suggests, MRI technologists operate MRI machines to produce diagnostic images for medical purposes. They assist doctors and require an associate's degree or certification, often with internship experience.
Salary: $79,770 a year
Transportation inspectors perform thorough checks to ensure the safety of transportation systems like railways and cargo. An associate's degree in construction or engineering and hands-on experience are typical for this role.
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked concerns about job displacement, with prominent figures like Bill Gates suggesting that AI tutors could one-day handle tasks currently performed by human teachers.
A recent report underscores this concern, predicting that over 75 percent of companies will adopt A.I. within five years. However, not all jobs are equally at risk.
According to a Hackernoon report, blue-collar careers involving manual dexterity and problem-solving are likely less susceptible to automation than white-collar jobs with routine tasks.
While AI threatens repetitive manufacturing, retail, and agriculture tasks, the report suggests it may primarily fill existing vacancies rather than displace current workers.
#16: Illegal Alien: $69,700 with free housing thrown in!
I recently had a mobile sonograph done in my bed for gall bladder stones during latest hospital stay. The sonographer was at my bed maybe 15-20 minutes. I asked the maybe 27 year old what training he had to get into his position at Providence Hospital. He said something about specialized training for about 20 months. He didn't mention any prior college like a AA or BS.
I then asked how is the pay. "He said damn good". I told him good for you for not wasting 10's or 100's of thousands on a worthless degree that the colleges are pumping out nowadays. He commented that his friends in college are envious of his career choice and couple are thinking of dropping out and attending a specialized trade school.
There ya go - Trade Schools. Most think trade school means plumbing or electrical training. There are a lot of tech schools popping up like his. Plus, with all the marxist and pro-Pali protests/riots of late, many employers are becoming reluctant to hire from elite universities. It's only going to get worse for those students.
Cable and fiber installers
Tower guys both programmers and climbers
Electricians
Tree removal
Hvac
Tool and die
Metalworking
Welders
Class a trucking
Just to name a few more
I pulled six figures with a GED.
Unusual but it can be done.
34 years ago, the quotas didn’t put a stranglehold on the industry, either. Nowadays, the quotas makes the boat list VERY exclusive.
The post office is hellacious work. Supervisors look at cool 80 or 90 hour week every week.
In the movie The Money Pit the Tom Hanks character was on the phone trying to order the reluctant “executive plumber” to set up work on the plumbing.
The plumber said he’d never heard of the lawyer and asked how much money he made. Hanks condescendingly said “Well, I’ve never heard of you, either, how much money do you make?”
Then he looked unbelieving: “That much, huh?”
Maintenance mechanic in a steel mill $100,000 plus for the last 10-15 years
They are trying to get rid of the post master but has yet to do it. Maybe eventually they will and things will get back to normal. Another stamp increase in July. 73 cents.
DID YOU ORDER THE CODE RED?!
Sorry - wrong thread!
My son is studying to be an electrician. He did the Union classes and did well on the exams. But after he got on the lists when a job would come up they wanted him “right then” and he was already working two jobs. He also said if the work was anything like the classroom instruction (took 8 hours to cover 2 hours of material) he didn’t want anything to do with the Union. (I had warned him previously, but...)
He will wrap up his course of study at the community college instead this fall. He is very good at whatever he sets his mind to so he should be able to well for himself.
I met a guy that has a young son that went the private route starting off in the parts department and learning the trade. He is also into climbing. The company sent him to some special course and now he is one of the few electricians around that rappels off of buildings and cranes to do high work. He makes REALLY good money on those jobs.
A buddies son wanted to be an Air Traffic Controller after graduating high school.
He took a test and joined the USAF with a 2 year contract to become a controller. He trained in the US for six months. Then he spent a year in Iraq during the war. He never left the base outside of Baghdad except when he was on leave. We he came back from Iraq he spent another six months at some USAF base in the midwest.
He got out and immediately got hired by the FAA Civilian Air Traffic Controllers program. Again, trained for a few months somewhere in the midwest. Upon graduation, they gave him a choice of three airports. He chose Miami International starting at $75K per year. He has been there ever since. In a few years he will retire with a Federal Govt Pension.
IF you can handle the heights, I understand that being a Transmission lineman is even higher paying. Of course you need to be okay with dangling from a helicopter hundreds of feet off the ground.
My cousin was a IBEW “storm chaser.” He retired at age 60 and is now living the good life at the Villages.
None of those jobs are “entry level.”
To get those jobs usually requires starting in a minimum wage role…for a long time.
Good luck getting a lot of people to choose those career paths.
I would counter this list with saying that success in the US comes from taking a job in the field you want to work in…and then working your butt off; learning the job; learning the company; and contributing to the success of the company.
There are a lot of people who think they are “owed” promotions and six figures because they show up every day. Here is a tip: There are 20 million immigrants in the country who will show up every day for a lot less money. To get those top slots you need to stand out. Most people don’t stand out.
My wife and I were both Ultrasound Techs from the 70’s through 2000’s . Our combined salaries including on call which is required in that field equaled $200-250 per year. Not rich, but a comfortable life style with our two kids who are both very successful in their lives thanks to homeschooling them and keeping them out of the public school system.
Also, you have to be the son of a resident.
RE: Only $60K??? You are nuts
The title says $60K AND UP. $60K is probably the pay for a less experienced person, which isn’t bad at all when you’re just starting out.
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