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Competitive wages and predicted industry growth mean the future is looking bright for numerous blue-collar positions. So which manual and technical labor jobs are the most promising?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction and extraction jobs are expected to grow 12 percent by 2014, adding 931,000 jobs to the field. Installation, maintenance and repair jobs have a predicted expansion of 11.4 percent with 657,000 additional jobs over the same time period. The transportation and material moving industry is another growing blue-collar niche, increasing by 11.1 percent and adding 1.1 million jobs by 2014.
Here are the top 10 blue-collar jobs based on current salary medians and expected growth by 2014*:
CareerBuilder.com
Competitive wages and predicted industry growth mean the future is looking bright for numerous blue-collar positions. So which manual and technical labor jobs are the most promising?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction and extraction jobs are expected to grow 12 percent by 2014, adding 931,000 jobs to the field. Installation, maintenance and repair jobs have a predicted expansion of 11.4 percent with 657,000 additional jobs over the same time period. The transportation and material moving industry is another growing blue-collar niche, increasing by 11.1 percent and adding 1.1 million jobs by 2014.
Here are the top 10 blue-collar jobs based on current salary medians and expected growth by 2014*:
1. Construction and Building Inspectors
What it pays: $43,670 per year
Employment projected to increase: 18-26 percent
2. Waste and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
What it pays: $34,960 per year
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
3. Elevator Installers and Repairers
What it pays: $28.23 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
4. Subway and Streetcar Operators
What it pays: $23.70 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
5. Iron and Metal Workers
What it pays: $20.40 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
6. Electricians
What it pays: $20.33 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
7. Brickmasons, Blockmasons and Stonemasons
What it pays: $20.07 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
8. Plumbers, Pipelayers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters
What it pays: $19.85 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
9. Heating, Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
What it pays: $17.43 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 18-26 percent
10. Carpenters
What it pays: $16.78 per hour
Employment projected to increase: 9-17 percent
Next: 20 Big Salary Jobs -- No Degree Required >>
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Meg Donohue is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Copyright 2006 Careerbuilder.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
If you are looking for a blue collar job, BlueCollarCrossing is an ideal job search site to help you. It has a wide range of blue collar compiled from employer websites, job boards and all other available online and printed sources out there. It shows even those jobs which are often not advertised anywhere.
ReplyIf you are looking for a blue collar job, BlueCollarCrossing is an ideal job search site to help you. It has a wide range of blue collar jobs compiled from employer websites, job boards and all other available online and printed sources out there. It shows even those jobs which are often not advertised anywhere.
ReplyI have worked from home for more than 10 years so I could stay home with my children. I believe this is the blue collar jobs of the future because big companies such as Hilton and AT&T are cutting costs by hiring home workers. Cable/phone and hotel companies usually hire home workers for customer service. Also, the TV shopping shows hire homeworkers to take calls. You just know how to find these jobs. ( tr.im/BRIk ) has a FREE list of hundreds of LEGITIMATE work at home jobs offered by well known companies. These jobs do NOT cost you money. They are employment positions. You will need to cut and paste the above link for it to work. Good luck to all that are looking for employment.
ReplyResidential window and gutter cleaning is absolutely the best bc job out there-PERIOD!!!!!!! $50-125/hour-$200,000/year-working alone.
ReplyThere are windows everywhere, people appreciate you, and there's always repeat business. Technology will never invade this facet of the workforce.
I have a son, age 19 - struggling in college. Just not the 'scholarly' type. Has worked in construction before and really liked it. So, he's now thinking 'blue collar' is the way to go. What advise would you have for him as far as 'education' is concerned and how it relates to the industry that you are involved in?
I have been a residential service plumber for 12 years, and now make $26.00 an hour plus bonuses. I will make 70K this year. The first few years are a little rough, but once you are accomplished in the field, a person should do well.
Reply