People began to use the term blue-collar because back in the 19th century the people who worked in industrial companies wore uniforms that were durable enough to take the dirt and the grime and be worn by everyone in the company. Most of these uniforms were navy blue, hence the term blue-collar. Blue-collar jobs are usually filled by people who do not have an advanced academic education. These jobs can provide a great deal of money and only require you to have a high school diploma.
The top blue-collar jobs are the ones where you can make a decent living and are usually employed to do some type of labor or service. One of the top blue-collar jobs is that of a power plant operator. These people keep track of the machinery that generates power, providing you with light and electricity; these people earn $26 an hour. Another great blue-collar job is farming or ranching, both of which are very demanding forms of employment but very rewarding, and farmers and ranchers can make quite a bit of money. Another blue-collar job is repair work, which include maintenance and mechanical work. Most blue-collar jobs are usually paid on a regular basis and provide employees with 40 hours of work every week.
The top-paying blue-collar jobs are elevator operators, engineers (locomotion), electrical, shipping engineers, farming management, and inspectors in all different kinds of industries, such as electrical inspectors and home and property inspectors. If you were to define blue-collar jobs you would have so many options for what jobs constitute blue-collar that you would not be able to count.
Finding blue-collar jobs is quite easy, as you can find them in any local newspaper, in magazines, on the laundry and grocery bulletin boards, at church, and on the Internet. Many blue-collar jobs are listed in high schools and colleges, and almost all of the jobs available in unemployment offices, temporary services, and outsourcing companies are blue-collar jobs. Friends and family can recommend these jobs and you can be hired by word-of-mouth. There are many different ways to find a blue-collar job.
Applying to blue-collar jobs is usually very easy as well. You will usually be asked to come in and fill out an application or to submit your resume. Then you will be called in for an interview with the company’s human resources department. Alternatively, you can apply to an apprenticeship, if you are seeking a construction job, that may help you learn how to do a certain trade such as plumbing, carpentry, or plastering. Being an apprentice means that you learn the trade hands-on with a licensed or registered professional who has done this work for a long time.
Blue-collar workers receive an hourly wage, usually some set amount per hour, and in some cases they get that and benefits such as health, dental, meals, and worker’s compensation. The pay is usually on a 40 hour work week, with everything over 40 hours designated as overtime pay worth time-and-a-half. Many blue-collar jobs require you to seek additional education to increase your understanding of the products and services involved. Joining trade unions is a way to get better pay; however, you must pay fees regularly to become a member.
It is easy to be confused by the question, ''What are blue-collar jobs?'' You can say that they include any job which pays an hourly wage for 40 hours a week. You will find that there are so many different well-paid and respectable jobs that you can choose from and many benefits available to you if you are a full-time employee. You do not have to get any advanced degrees to work as a blue-collar worker; however, you may be required to attend trade school or be an apprentice to a licensed or registered professional. You may choose from many different industries to work for, such as construction, teaching, and inspection, as well as sales and marketing jobs and many others. If college is not in the cards for you, you may want to investigate the best blue-collar jobs.
