Blue Collar Workers Wanted—1.7 Million New Jobs Projected By 2032

Blue collar work might be seen as the underdog in the workplace, but in actual reality, we are seeing the exact opposite. A fresh report released by Resume Coach reveals that blue collar jobs are not just necessary, but the demand for these roles has spiked significantly—as has their salaries.

Here’s why blue collar workers are in demand—and why you should consider blue-collar work now:

• More than a third (35%) of the fastest growing job jobs are blue-collar, with 1.7 million new jobs expected between now and 2032.
• Union worker salaries have seen a 6.3% increase within the past year.
• Blue-collar jobs offer more job and career stability, and consequently, more financial stability, than their white-collar counterparts in highly esteemed industries such as technology, which saw close to 300,000 layoffs due to AI in the period between 2023 and early 2024.
• Additionally, “many blue-collar jobs are essential for infrastructure and daily life, making them less likely to be fully automated or replaced by AI. Jobs like electricians, plumbers, and construction workers are still very much needed and can’t be easily replaced by technology,” says Resume Coach.

What Are Blue Collar Jobs?

The term “blue-collar” originated from the mid-1920’s in a paper, in which these roles were described as such due to the blue denim clothing the workers would usually wear.

Blue collar jobs is a career category that typically tends to refer to work that is carried out as manual labor, and is also referred to as the trades, or skilled labor. This type of work is very hands-on and technical in its nature, and is typically performed in factories, warehouses, the outdoors, fields, and construction sites, as opposed to office settings.

Thankfully, their resilience is found in the fact that they are not easily replaceable by AI. Although artificial intelligence is useful in augmenting many aspects of their work, the jobs that blue-collar workers perform are so highly skilled that and specific that, at least for the foreseeable future, these roles are not going anywhere.

“Blue collar” has often been synonymous with the working class. However, it is important to note that despite being classed as a working class role, this in no way demeaning or any less essential or impactful than white collar jobs (the ones performed in office environments). These roles command significantly high salaries, due to them demanding high levels of expertise and specialized skill sets. As an example, camera and photographic equipment repairers saw a 33% increase in salaries last year, while waiting staff experienced wage growth of 26%.

How To Get A High-Paying Blue-Collar Job Without A Degree

One of the unique, positive aspects to blue-collar jobs is that there are many that you can easily land without a degree. You can work within construction, for example, or even some engineering roles, without needing a full three or four-year degree.

The entry path to securing a well-paid blue-collar role usually involves having your high school diploma or GED, completing a relevant associate degree, and completing a licence exam. You may also need to go into vocational or trade school to gain practical experience.

Here are a few examples of high-paying blue-collar jobs:

• Field engineer
• Nuclear medicine technologist
• Nuclear technician
• Aircraft traffic controller
• Electrician

Blue-collar jobs are essential to the economy; they provide critical services that keep industries running and infrastructure well maintained, even in times of crisis or when other sectors are down. If you decide to commit to acquiring specialized skills and certifications, you will be able to secure a well-paid blue collar job, while also having the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made a difference in improving the lives of others.