Glossary

Blue-collar worker

Apr 5, 2024

What is a blue-collar worker?

Blue-collar workers are people who work in manual labor jobs. These jobs require physical strength and energy, but they don't necessarily require a lot of education or specialized training. Blue-collar workers have been around for centuries, but the term «blue-collar» didn't come into popular use until the late 1800s when white collars became more common than blue ones among office workers.

A blue-collar worker's job may involve factory work or construction, but it could also be a skilled position like an electrician or plumber. Blue-collar employees have a variety of skills and responsibilities, including:

  • using their hands to perform tasks that require physical labor;
  • using tools such as hammers, saws, or drills to complete projects.

In the United States, blue-collar jobs are typically those that involve manual labor and require little to no education.

There are also many other types of blue-collar workers that don't fall into these categories, like firefighters and soldiers who wear uniforms with navy blue colors (the same color as their uniforms).

Examples of blue-collar workers

  • Construction workers
  • Carpenters
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Janitors and custodians
  • Maintenance workers
  • Groundskeepers, landscapers and lawn-care workers
  • Truck driver, tractor-trailer driver, delivery driver, etc.
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