10 Top Paying Blue-Collar Jobs in 2023
1. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
National average salary: $99,000 per year
Primary duties: Elevator and escalator installers and repairers are specialized professionals who install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and similar equipment. They ensure the systems meet safety standards and regulations and are responsible for both mechanical and electrical repairs.
Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required, followed by an apprenticeship program that typically lasts four years. Certification and licensure requirements vary by state.
2. Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers
National average salary: $97,570 per year
Primary duties: These professionals control and maintain machinery to generate electric power. They also monitor power generation, adjust controls, and ensure that power flows safely and consistently from power plants to businesses, homes, and other facilities.
Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Extensive on-the-job training and licensure exams are typically required. Operators are often required to undergo long-term training and development to handle emergencies effectively.
3. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
National average salary: $82,340 per year
Primary duties: These workers install and repair electrical power systems, including the cables and wires used to distribute electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial areas. They also identify and resolve problems to ensure the efficiency and safety of electrical systems.
Requirements: Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required, followed by apprenticeship or technical school training. Certification and licensure vary by state and specialty.
4. Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians
National average salary: $70,740 per year
Primary duties: These technicians ensure that aircraft operate safely and efficiently by maintaining and repairing avionic equipment. This includes testing, repairing, and maintaining electronic systems, replacing parts, and inspecting aircraft for issues.
Requirements: Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is typically required, along with a minimum amount of work experience and/or education in the field.
5. Railroad Workers
National average salary: $68,960 per year
Primary duties: Railroad workers ensure the safe and efficient operation of trains. They manage train operations, maintain equipment, and track conditions, and adhere to safety regulations and schedules.
Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required, along with on-the-job training. Some positions may require additional certifications and training.
6. Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
National average salary: $67,120 per year
Primary duties: These professionals operate and maintain stationary engines, boilers, and other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes.
Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training are common, and licensure or certification is required in many states.
7. Boilermakers
National average salary: $66,920 per year
Primary duties: Boilermakers assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent and completion of an apprenticeship program are typically required. Some boilermakers may attend a technical school.
8. Water Transportation Workers
National average salary: $66,100 per year
Primary duties: These workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. They ensure the safe and efficient operation and navigation of ships and boats.
Requirements: Training and licensure requirements vary by the type of job. Mariners must be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
9. Construction and Building Inspectors
National average salary: $64,480 per year
Primary duties: These inspectors ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.
Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required, along with substantial work experience in construction or a related field. Many states and local jurisdictions require licensure or certification.
10. Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers
National average salary: $64,190 per year
Primary duties: These workers install, repair, and maintain complex electrical equipment and systems, ensuring they operate safely and efficiently.
Requirements: Education and training requirements vary by the type of job. Most positions require technical education or an associate degree, along with on-the-job training.
Remember to replace "National average salary" with specific salary figures if you have them, and adjust each job description according to the specific details and requirements of each role in your context.
Works Cited
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Outlook Handbook." n.d., https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Leave a comment