Many high-paying jobs today require a college degree. However, with the right certifications and some mechanical expertise, individuals can apply for blue-collar jobs that pay well. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the highest-paying blue-collar jobs today. Blue-collar jobs are ones that require skilled or unskilled manual labor. Individuals who perform blue-collar jobs are typically from the working class.
Some examples of industries with a lot of blue-collar jobs include the following:. Most blue-collar workers are paid hourly wages, though some of them get paid per project or receive an annual salary.
Blue-collar jobs often don't require any college degree. A high school diploma or General Educational Development GED certificate is usually all that is required for this kind of work. However, individuals must have highly specialized skills and expertise in performing a certain task.
Blue-collar positions usually offer on-the-job training through vocational schools or apprenticeships. Some higher-paid, more specialized blue-collar positions also require individuals to have certifications or technical skills.
Related: Blue Collar vs. White Collar Jobs: Here's the Difference. Here's a look at the 10 highest-paying blue-collar jobs today:. Radio and telecommunications equipment installer. Power plant operators, distributors and dispatcher.
Primary duties: Structural iron and steel workers layout and fabricate steel and sheet metal used for constructing buildings, dams, bridges, towers, fences, storage tanks and highway guard rails. They are responsible for the completion of a structure's framework with steel or iron columns, beams and girders with riveting, welding and related construction methods. Requirements: Most structural iron and steel workers hold a high school diploma or GED.
While no college degree is required, candidates must complete an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program for structural iron and steel workers varies in length, but it can take up to four years to complete. Some employers don't require candidates to complete an apprenticeship, but they need to complete on-the-job training.
Primary duties: Also known as "electrical linemen", electrical power-line installers and repairers install, maintain, remove and repair high-voltage and low-voltage distribution lines and associated facilities and equipment.
They are usually on hour call to quickly respond to power outages and other emergencies. They must effectively perform many tasks to help deliver electrical power from generating stations into houses, factories, businesses and other facilities. Requirements: Electrical power-line installers and repairers must hold a high school diploma or GED.
They must complete an apprenticeship program, which usually takes around four to five years to complete. The apprenticeship program provides a comprehensive study of the mechanical, physical, safety and ethical requirements of the electrical industry. They must also obtain approximately hours of classroom training. Primary duties: Construction and building inspectors examine the structural quality and overall safety of buildings, streets and highways, water and sewer systems, bridges, dams and other structures.
They also check plumbing systems and electrical systems, including heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration HVACR. While no two inspections are alike, construction and building inspectors conduct a preliminary inspection during the first phase of the construction process.
They will then conduct follow-up inspections throughout the construction project. When the project is complete, they do a final thorough inspection and provide oral or written feedback related to their findings. Requirements: Construction and building inspectors need at least a high school diploma or its equivalent to be considered for employment. However, many employers prefer candidates with college-level experience in engineering, architecture, construction technology or building inspection.
Many states also have certification requirements that inspectors must meet before they can practice their profession. To obtain these certifications, candidates are required to pass an examination that covers building codes, features and procedures. They will need to meet continuing education requirements to keep their credentials. Primary duties: Boilermakers are responsible for making and installing boilers and other large containers that store gases or liquids such as oil.
They are also responsible for analyzing blueprints, casting pieces and forming them into shape, and welding pieces together. Boilermakers also test newly built boilers and perform regular maintenance. They also update boilers to increase efficiency and meet environmental standards. Requirements: Aspiring boilermakers must have a high school diploma or GED. This apprenticeship program takes about four years to complete and requires hours in the classroom and 6, hours of work assignments.
They will be required to apprentice for a year or longer to secure higher-paying construction jobs. Primary duties: A painter is someone who paints the interior or exterior of buildings and other surfaces. Duties may include preparing painting surfaces, washing walls, removing paint, repairing holes, mixing paints, applying paints to a variety of surfaces and managing the planning and preparation of a painting project.
Education requirements: There is no formal education required to become a painter, although many companies will require you to train or apprentice with a professional painter before securing a higher-paying painter position. Primary duties: A welder is someone who welds metal in a variety of circumstances.
Welders can find positions welding machinery, walls, cars, airplanes and underwater pipes. Their duties can include welding components, using specialized machinery, overseeing machines, maintaining and repairing machinery, interpreting blueprints and planning layouts. Education requirements: A high school diploma or GED is required to become a welder, but many companies will additionally require you to attend a technical school to learn the welding trade.
A certificate can help you achieve a job as a welder, and working for several years as an apprentice will give you the knowledge, experience and skills to be a welder for larger projects.
Primary duties: An automotive technician is a mechanic who repairs cars and trucks and provides preventative maintenance duties. Primary responsibilities may include performing inspections, running diagnostics, replacing components and fixing components.
An auto technician might work on engines, steering, brakes or electrical systems. Education requirements: While no formal education is required, many companies hire automotive technicians who have completed training or trade education. Although not required, an auto technician can receive the Automotive Service Excellence ASE certification in a variety of automotive service specialties.
Primary duties: A brick mason is someone who lays and binds building materials such as brick, tile, glass block, terracotta, cinder block and concrete block. Duties can include binding these materials with mortar or another binding material to build or repair walls, sewers, arches and many other structures that require stone or brick. Education requirements: A high school diploma is required to become a brick mason, and it can be beneficial to take college courses in mathematics and mechanical drawing.
There are also one and two-year technical programs available that can help. A brick mason will typically spend three or four years in a paid apprenticeship to learn the brick mason trade.
Primary duties: A carpenter is someone who builds with wood, and they commonly work to build frames for houses. Duties may include reading blueprints, understanding building plans, installing structures, measuring and cutting wood and constructing frames, walls and floors for various buildings and housing.
Education requirements: A high school diploma or GED is required, and an associate's degree is preferred among many companies.
You will need to train in a three-year or longer apprenticeship before working as a carpenter for a variety of companies and industries. Companies with this position: Horizon Carpentry, Inc. Primary duties: A personal trainer is someone who physically trains someone in exercise and weightlifting. The duties of a personal trainer include assisting clients by demonstrating exercise routines, promoting fitness while minimizing injury, providing information about general fitness and managing health issues.
Education requirements: A high school diploma is required to become a personal trainer, and you might also benefit from completing a cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR certification program and an automated external defibrillator AED certification program. You can choose a fitness specialty and pass a certified personal trainer exam to receive your personal trainer certificate. Primary duties: A firefighter's duties include driving firetrucks, putting out fires, rescuing victims from emergency situations, treating injured people, writing reports, maintaining equipment and providing fire safety education.
Education requirements: To become a firefighter, you will need to acquire a high school diploma and post-secondary education in fire science as well as complete at least four years of a firefighter apprenticeship. Primary duties: A plumber is someone who works with pipes and plumbing systems. Duties might include interpreting blueprints, understanding pipe layouts on maps, installing pipes and fixtures, building or installing supports for pipelines and other equipment, testing plumbing systems, cutting pipes, performing inspections and preparing bids for clients.
Education requirements: Becoming a plumber requires a high school diploma or GED, and many states require plumbers to have a plumbing license. Some plumbers will voluntarily achieve plumbing certifications, and all plumbers will start with an apprenticeship of at least four years.
Rooter Plumbing. Primary duties: An electrician is someone who installs and maintains electrical power and systems in homes, businesses and factories. Their responsibilities may include reading blueprints, understanding technical diagrams, installing and inspecting electrical components, identifying electrical problems, repairing or replacing equipment, fixtures or wiring, following regulations and maintaining electrical equipment.
Education requirements: To become an electrician, you will need a high school diploma or GED. You will also need to attain an apprenticeship under the instruction of a licensed electrician also called a journeyman electrician for at least four years before you become one yourself.
Journeyman electricians can decide to continue studying to become a master electrician to reach the highest level in this field. Primary duties: An aircraft mechanic will inspect, maintain and fix components on an aircraft. Duties may include testing aircraft operations, identifying malfunctions, performing routine maintenance tasks, fixing technical problems and maintaining tools and equipment safely.
Education requirements: To become an aircraft mechanic, you will need to graduate from an FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician school or receive 18 months of practical experience with either airframes or power plants. After meeting this requirement, you must pass an oral test, a written exam and a practical test.
Companies with this position: U.
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