A blue collar worker normally does jobs that involve manual labor and earns an hourly-wage. The term blue collar is said to have originated from the popular color of light or navy blue commonly used for the work shirts and coveralls supplied by the company for their employees. Since the companies supplied and laundered these work clothes they also needed durable work clothing that can be dirtied and soiled at work and easily laundered and thus blue denims was commonly used. The blue color became popular for the industrial and manual workers in contrast to the white dress shirts often used by those in the office environment.

White collar jobs often involve non-manual work in the office while service industry worker carry out jobs that involve customer interaction. Blue-collar jobs on the other hand involve physical work and use of hands until mechanization and automation was introduced to the industry. While there was a clear demarcation between white collar and blue collar workers before, these days the distinction is becoming more blurred. It used to be that blue collar has been equated to lowly-working class and low-paying jobs but these days this is no longer true. In fact there are now those in work shirts and coveralls that earn more than those in the offices especially in the case of skilled workers.

Recently Forbes was able to come up with the 20 highest paying blue-collar jobs based from the 2010 data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from surveys. Although some of these professions require only a high school education but more calls for extensive trainings and apprenticeships for your license and experience to reach the top 10%. For most, these become high-paying professions because it’s union-oriented and labor unions certainly help bargain for worker’s collective rights.

The article I read listed the 20 highest paying blue-collar jobs. My research showed me that some of these may be high paying but did not have a good job outlook for the next years to come. So I have only chosen 5 of these jobs with a fine future.

1. Elevator Installers and Repairers

Average Annual Salary: $70,010

Average Hourly Wage: $33.66

Annual Pay for Top 10%: $101,390

Total Employees: 20,430

Best-Paying State: New Hampshire where the hourly mean wage is $46.89.

Other top paying states are: Maine, Nevada, Michigan, and California

What they do: Assemble, install, repair or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, chairlifts, dumbwaiters, and moving walkways.

Working Hours: Most elevator installers and repairers work a 40-hour week. Overtime can sometime be required when necessary and some workers are on 24-hour call.

Education and Training:

Apprenticeship program (high school diploma or the equivalent) that usually last 4 years.

Advanced Education – a certificate or associate degree in electronics. Workers with education beyond high school usually advance more quickly than their counterparts without a degree.

Licensure – many cities and state require elevator installers and repairers to pass a licensing examination.

Applicants for apprenticeship positions must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass an aptitude test and a drug test. Good physical condition and mechanical skills also are important.

Advancement: ongoing training through correspondence courses, seminars, or formal classes and additional trainings in specialized areas.

Job Outlook: Employment of elevator installers and repairers is expected to increase 9 percent during the 2008–18 decade.

2. Transportation Inspectors

Average Annual Salary: $63,050

Average Hourly Wage:$30.31

Annual Pay for Top 10%: $107,790

Total Employees: 24,280

Best-Paying State: District of Columbia where hourly mean wage is $46.54.

Other top paying states are: South Carolina, Alaska, Tennessee, and Maine

What they do: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.

Education and Training: These occupations usually require a high school diploma. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Advancement: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Job Outlook: Employment is expected to increase by 14 to 19 percent from 2008 through 2018, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

3. Power Line Installers and Repairers

Average Annual Salary: $57,510

Average Hourly Wage:$27.65

Annual Pay for Top 10%: $82,450

Total Employees: 105,540

Best Paying State: California where hourly mean wage is $37.69

Other top paying states are: Oregon, Alaska, Connecticut, and Washington

What they do: Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.

Working Hours:

Education and Training: Most companies require that line installers and repairers have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many community colleges offer programs in telecommunications, electronics, or electricity. Some programs work with local companies to offer 1-year certificates that emphasize hands-on field work. More advanced 2-year associate degree programs provide students with a broader knowledge of the technology used in telecommunications and electrical utilities. Line installers and repairers receive most of their training on the job.

Physical fitness is important because line workers must be able to climb, lift heavy objects (many employers require applicants to be able to lift at least 50 pounds), and do other physical activity that requires stamina, strength, and coordination.

Licensure – Not required.

Advancement: Entry-level line workers generally begin with classroom training and begin an apprenticeship. Their on-the-job training begins with basic tasks, such as ground work and tree trimming.

Job Outlook: Overall employment of line installers and repairers will grow by 2 percent between 2008 and 2018. Very good job opportunities are expected, especially for electrical power-line installers and repairers.

4. Boilermakers

Average Annual Salary: $55,750

Average Hourly Wage: $26.80

Annual Pay for Top 10%: $80,830

Total Employees: 19,030

Best-Paying State: Alaska where the hourly mean wage is $35.34

Other top paying states are: West Virginia, Maryland, California, and Michigan

What they do: Construct, assemble, maintain and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries.

Working hours: Boilermakers may experience extended periods of overtime when equipment is shut down for maintenance. There may be periods of unemployment when a contract is complete. Many boilermakers must travel to a project and live away from home for long periods of time.

Education and Training:

Boilermakers learn their trade through formal apprenticeships. Apprenticeship programs usually consist of 6,000 hours or 4 years of paid on-the-job training, supplemented by a minimum of 144 hours of classroom instruction each year in subjects such as set-up and assembly rigging, plate and pressure welding, blueprint reading, and layout.

Most apprentices must be at least 18 years old, a high school graduate or holder of a GED, and be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Advancement: Some boilermakers advance to supervisory positions. Because of their extensive training, those qualified through apprenticeships usually have an advantage in getting promoted over those who have not gone through the complete program.

Job Outlook: Employment is projected to grow faster than average. Favorable job opportunities are expected. Employment of boilermakers is expected to grow by 19 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Skilled welders have priority for selection to boilermaker apprenticeship programs.

5. Subway and Streetcar Operators

Average Annual Salary: $53,440

Average Hourly Wage: $25.69

Annual Pay for Top 10%: $66,570

Total Employees: 6,360

Best-Paying State: Texas where hourly mean wage is $23.03

What they do: Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotives, or electric-powered streetcars, to transport passengers. May handle fares.

Education and Training: These occupations usually require a high school diploma. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Advancement: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Job Outlook: Employment is expected to increase by 14 to 19 percent from 2008 through 2018, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

6. Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Average Annual Salary: $53,280

Average Hourly Wage: $25.62

Annual Pay for Top 10%: $72,250

Total Employees: 117,510

Best-Paying State: Tennessee where hourly mean wage is $32.78.

Other top paying states are: Indiana, Kentucky, Connecticut, and New Jersey

What they do: Diagnose, adjust, repair or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Working Hours: Aircraft mechanics usually work 40 hours a week on 8-hour shifts around the clock. Overtime and weekend work is frequent.

Education and Training: Most mechanics learn their skills in an FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician School. Most learn the skills needed to do their jobs in 1 of about 170 Aviation Maintenance Technician schools certified by the FAA.

Advanced Education – a certificate or associate degree in electronics. Workers with education beyond high school usually advance more quickly than their counterparts without a degree.

Licensure – Requires FAA Certification

Mechanics need at least 18 months of work experience before applying for an airframe or powerplant certificate, and 30 months of experience working with both engines and airframes for a combined A&P certificate, although completion of a program at an FAA-certified school can be substituted for theses work experience requirements. In addition to having experience or formal training, applicants for all certificates must pass written, oral, and practical tests that demonstrate that they can do the work authorized by the certificate.

Advancement: As aircraft mechanics gain experience, they may advance to lead mechanic (or crew chief), inspector, lead inspector, or shop supervisor positions. Opportunities are best for those who have an aircraft inspector's authorization. To obtain an inspector's authorization, a mechanic must have held an A&P certificate for at least 3 years, with 24 months of hands-on experience.

Job Outlook: Employment is expected to increase by 7 percent during the 2008-18 period, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.