You can see it everywhere. The new disrespect that blue-collar employees get from society. It started in the ‘70s and ‘80s when it was suggested that people of color get a college degree in order to improve their lives and income. Then, in the ’90, any positions that were blue were moved to the suburbs where everyone was starting to move so they could be closer to their job.
Blue-collar jobs are typically classified as involving manual labor and compensation by an hourly wage. Some fields that fall into this category include construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and mining. Those who have this sort of job are characterized as members of the working class.
Today, social media has made it clear that if you are not an influencer, making a ton of money, or on TV, that you are not worthy of a great life partner, good income, or a solid career. But the world of being a blue-collar employee has never been better for those who work today.
Getting a college degree no longer guarantees a person a great lifestyle — that coupled with the fact that the cost to obtain a degree makes one question if it’s even worth it. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the average price of tuition and fees came to $38,070 at private colleges, $10,740 at public colleges (in-state residents), and $27,560 at public colleges (out-of-state residents).
So, a four-year degree could cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000. The repayment plan for a degreed bank manager II making $60,000 a year could take a long time to repay. For blue-collar workers, the training it takes to acquire an $80,000 to $120,000-a-year position might free up to $3,000.
The time it takes to get certified for most blue-collar positions is far less than it takes to get a college degree. So, many blue-collar employees earn a living faster, with much less investment than most college-degreed employees.
For Black men, there are so many opportunities to gain employment in positions that offer lengthy career training and compensation that is competitive and consistent.
“I think a lot of men feel like women don’t want to date guys who work in certain positions because they think they don’t have any money,” Rick, from Cleveland, said. “But there are jobs out there that pay great money and offer good benefits, too. Women need to realize that these men are just as good as those who are doing other things.”
For most families, a good two-income household is needed to live what is considered the American dream. Blue-collar employees can provide a wonderful income to a family unit because of the consistency in competitive pay.
“As a supervisor on my job, I get paid very well to do what I do,” said John, from Macedonia. “I earn six figures + and I get bonuses all the time for performance. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Here are the top five highest-paying blue-collar jobs in the US, ranked in terms of median annual salary:
Elevator Installer: $84,990
Power Plant Operator: $81,990
Petroleum Pump System Operator: $74,180
Powerhouse Substation and Relay Technician: $71,191
Power-Line Installer and Repairer: $61,276
While these positions are not glamourous, they provide great incomes for those who work in these industries. The question is: What can be done to get more Black people into these positions?
During the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, Black people moved to the north in droves to find and work in plants because it provided a good income for their families and consistent pay. As Black people became more educated, they started to look for white-collar positions that would bring prestige, as well as a solid paycheck.
The pursuit of a degree is not a Black thing, however, there is now a void that Black people can fill in the labor force if they start to value these positions again.
One educator remarked, “Many of our youth see working at a factory as demeaning. Because society says these positions are not sexy, kids don’t attempt to understand that they can make great money, sooner than later, by applying and learning a trade skill.”
Welders, for example, can make up to $140,000 a year. Employees working in food production can make over $120,000 in supervisory roles. These salaries match or at least compete with top white-collar positions that require thousands of dollars in education.
There is an ugly downside to working in a blue-collar job. The hours can be long. Sometimes, these positions require a 12-hour workday. It also might require you to have to work either a second or third shift, which could impact your quality of life depending on if you have a family or not.
For anyone looking to pursue a career in an industry that is blue-collar, consider your goals, take a look at the progress of the company you are going to work for, and make sure you make a well-informed decision. If you are successful in finding a place to work, you could have a long, healthy, and sustainable employment career. ●
