What Is a Blue-Collar Worker?

A blue-collar worker is someone whose work traditionally involves physical labor. Blue-collar employees comprise much of the working class, a socioeconomic status defined by income, job type, and education levels. Blue-collar workers—such as plumbers and construction workers—are often in high demand and may work on a contract or for hourly wages instead of an annual salary.

The term “blue-collar worker” derives from the shade of colors these types of workers wear. Blue-collar employees like masons or factory workers are likelier to wear blue denim, boilersuits, or overalls to perform physical labor. These darker colors are also less likely to show dirt or smudges, which may sully clothes on the job.

Blue-collar and white-collar are two classifications of workers. The differences between these laborers include:

• Attire: Historically, blue-collar workers wore durable clothing like blue denim and overalls, whereas white-collar workers wore white dress shirts.
• Pay: Blue-collar workers typically receive an hourly wage versus white-collar workers who receive a salary or payment on a per-project basis. Historically, white-collar jobs have offered more opportunities for advancement.
• Physical labor: Blue-collar jobs are more physically demanding than white-collar jobs, which workers typically perform behind desks. Manual workers might work in construction, farming, and manufacturing.
• Social class: Blue-collar workers were more tied to a lower social class, known as the working class, than white-collar workers, who made up the middle class. Today, most of the working class in the United States of America are white-collar workers.
• Training: Some blue-collar jobs, such as power plant operators, require specialized or on-the-job training, but many require only a high school diploma. Apprenticeships or technical or vocational training may be necessary for some types of work. White-collar jobs usually require more education, usually a college degree, with the minimum generally being a bachelor’s degree. Many white-collar jobs also need an advanced degree, such as a law or medical degree.
• Work environment: Blue-collar jobs can take place outdoors at construction sites or indoors at warehouses or factories. Blue-collar workers also include truck drivers, who work on the road. White-collar jobs are more specialized and usually done in an office setting (though some white-collar jobs, like a real estate agent, can require client meetings out of the office environment).

Color classifications became popular in the twentieth century with the stratification of the job markets. Pink-collar jobs, for example, were traditionally held by women (such as nursing and education), while gold-collar positions were held by highly paid employees (including doctors and lawyers).

Many types of blue-collar jobs are in high demand. These jobs may include plumbers, car mechanics, construction workers, custodians, firefighters, farmers, electricians, masons, welders, and lower-level factory workers (as opposed to forepersons or directors).

Other jobs, such as retail clerks or servers, may also pay hourly. Still, society deems those jobs as part of the service industry, which can also encompass working-class workers in a different professional sector.

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