Blue Collar vs White Collar: How Skilled Careers Are Superior
Have you ever wondered what the difference between blue collar and white collar jobs were? Both job types spark up different images in our mind including work space, salary, and qualifications.
Most people have heard the terms "white-collar jobs" or "blue-collar jobs" at some point. However, in today's world, the line between the two types of positions has become increasingly blurry. Both terms have meanings that evoke different images, including the type of work involved and how people are paid. For instance, blue-collar workers generally perform manual labor and are either paid by the hour or on a piecework basis. White-collar workers, on the other hand, can be found in office settings in clerical, administrative, or management roles. Although the terms typically evoke different images of workers, the similarities between their roles are increasing.
Let’s go through the different types of working descriptions, environments, and education backgrounds.
What Is A White-Collar Job?
White-collar workers are often found in office settings. As the name implies, they are generally suit-and-tie workers who wear white-collared shirts. Their jobs may involve working at a desk in clerical, administrative, or management settings. Unlike blue-collar workers, white-collar workers don't have physically taxing jobs.
Some common white-collar jobs include:
Accountant
Engineer
Attorney
Physician
When it comes to education, white-collar positions typically require some form of higher education. These professionals may need a minimum of a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree and often have higher earning potential with additional education. They also typically perform duties in a clerical capacity by developing, communicating and implementing ideas. Usually, white-collar workers are required to work a minimum number of hours to be paid. However, they can work beyond those hours without earning additional wages which can add a lot of stress to your work/life balance.
What Is A Blue-Collar Job?
A blue-collar job is typically some sort of manual or trade-related labor. The term was originally coined in the 1920s when these types of employees wore durable fabrics like denim or chambray, which were often blue in color to assist in concealing dirt or grease due to the nature of their work.
Blue-collar positions typically offer on-the-job training through apprenticeships or vocational schools. Some higher-paid, more specialized blue-collar positions also require certain certifications or technical skills. Some commonly known blue-collar jobs include:
Blue-collar responsibilities sometimes require physical labor with machinery, vehicles or equipment. They might also require the use of specific software or tools. Blue-collar jobs often also require highly specialized skills and expertise. Blue collar positions have the ability to earn high wages based on experience, skills and position and have been moving into different industries such as healthcare, tech, lifestyle, and design.
Differences?
In the past couple of decades, the line between white-collar and blue-collar work has started to smudge. While obtaining a 4-year degree has been the gold standard for finding a good paying, salaried job — skilled careers have been at their highest demand in history and provide great if not better benefits and pay to their counterparts.
The line between these types of workers is fading. As blue-collar job technology increases, so does the amount of education needed and subsequent pay workers receive, such as those for electricians and cable installers.
How Are Skilled Careers Better?
Shorter and more affordable pathways
Training programs for the skilled trades are shorter and more affordable than traditional 4-year degrees. Another benefit is that there are many apprenticeship programs that offer on-the-job training that give individuals the opportunity to get paid while learning their trade.
Skilled workers are in HIGH demand
For an entire generation the educational emphasis has been placed on traditional academic programs that would usually guarantee a great position with great salary. In the past decade, there is a huge demand for workers in the trades and many students entering these fields receive job offers before they finish their programs.
Job Security
Trades workers have always been in high demand with no end in sight. Workers can levy their skills for better wages, better benefits, better jobs, and more stability. Having certifications gives individuals the security to travel and know that they will have the skills needed to gain employment anywhere they go.
High Pay
Traditionally the perception was that high paying jobs were only found for the more traditional four-year university graduate. That has not been completely true for some time now. Skilled tradespeople often make equivalent to or more than their academic counterparts. Most trade jobs not only offer high take home pay but great benefit and retirement packages.
Bottom line, both sets of job types have their pros and cons depending on what you’re looking for. The average American switches careers every 2-3 years which can be exhausting on anyone. With skilled careers, there is quick turnaround and great opportunities available to fit any lifestyle and can provide a positive work/life balance that we’re all looking for!
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