Workers wanted – 1.7 million new jobs forecast by 2032

Blue-collar workers are viewed as outsiders in the workplace, but in reality, the opposite is true. A new report from Resume Coach shows that not only are blue-collar jobs necessary, but demand for these positions—as well as their salaries—has increased significantly.

This is why workers are in demand – and why you should think about working as a worker now:

• More than a third (35%) of the fastest-growing jobs are blue-collar jobs, with 1.7 million new jobs expected by 2032.
• Union members’ salaries rose by 6.3% last year.
• Blue-collar jobs offer more job and career stability, and as a result, more financial stability, than white-collar jobs in high-value industries like technology, which saw nearly 300,000 layoffs between 2023 and early 2024 due to AI.
• In addition, “many blue-collar jobs are essential to infrastructure and daily life, so they are unlikely to be fully automated or replaced by AI. Jobs like electricians, plumbers, and construction workers are still in high demand and cannot be easily replaced by technology,” says Resume Coach.

What are blue-collar jobs?

The term “blue-collar” originally comes from a newspaper from the mid-1920s, which described the profession as such because of the blue denim clothing that the workers typically wore.

Blue-collar jobs are a job category that typically refers to work that is performed as manual labor, also known as skilled labor or skilled trades. This type of work is very hands-on and technical and is typically performed in factories, warehouses, outdoors, fields, and construction sites rather than in an office.

Fortunately, their resilience lies in the fact that they cannot be easily replaced by AI. Although artificial intelligence complements many aspects of their jobs, the tasks workers perform are so highly skilled and specific that these roles are not going away, at least in the foreseeable future.

“Blue collar” is often used as a synonym for the working class. However, it is important to note that although this role is classified as a working class role, it is in no way demeaning or less important or influential than that of white collar workers (those performed in office environments). These roles come with significantly higher salaries because they require a high level of expertise and specialized knowledge. For example, camera and photo equipment repair technicians saw a 33% pay increase last year, while waiters saw a 26% pay increase.

How to get a well-paying blue-collar job without a degree

One of the unique, positive aspects of blue-collar jobs is that many of them are easy to get without a degree. For example, you can work in construction or even some engineering jobs without needing a full three- or four-year degree.

Getting into a well-paying blue-collar job typically requires a high school diploma or GED, a relevant associate degree, and passing a licensing exam. You may also need to attend a vocational or trade school to gain hands-on experience.

Here are some examples of well-paying blue-collar jobs:

• Field service technician
• Nuclear medicine technician
• Nuclear engineer
• Air traffic controller
• electrician

Blue-collar jobs are vital to the economy. They provide essential services that keep industries running and infrastructure maintained, even in times of crisis or when other sectors are down. If you decide to gain specialized skills and certifications, you can secure a well-paying blue-collar job while enjoying the satisfaction of having contributed to improving the lives of others.