Origin of the Term "Blue-Collar":
The term "blue-collar" first appeared in the 1920s in reference to trade workers. The phrase comes from the image of tradesmen wearing blue denim or canvas shirts as part of their uniform. The idea is that the dark blue color would conceal dirt or grease, helping them appear cleaner.
Blue-Collar vs. White-Collar Workers:
White-collar jobs usually require some sort of formal education with a bachelor's degree in a related field, in contrast to blue-collar jobs, which typically do not. Unlike blue-collar workers, white-collar workers don't do manual labor.
The Top 10 Blue-Collar Jobs in Australia for 2025:
01. Electrician
Qualified electricians earn around A$95,000 per annum. The job outlook for electricians indicates an industry growth of 10.2% in the next five years.
02. Construction Manager
The average annual salary for construction managers is around A$165,000. The construction manager job outlook indicates a growth of 10.2% in the next five years.
03. Welder
The average salary for a welder is around A$78,000 per annum. The welder job outlook data indicates a marginal industry growth of 3.2% in the next five years.
04. Plumber
Experienced plumbers earn an average annual salary of around A$90,000. The plumber job outlook data indicates an industry growth of around 8.6% in the next five years.
05. Chef
The average salary for a chef is around A$75,000 per annum. The job outlook data for chefs indicates an impressive industry growth of around 13.9% in the next five years.
06. Carpenter
The average annual salary for carpenters is around A$83,000. The job outlook data for carpenters predicts an industry decline of around -0.6% in the next five years.
07. Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
Qualified air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians earn around A$95,000 per year. The job outlook data for this role indicates an industry growth of around 4.0% in the next five years.
08. Bridge Saw Operator
Bridge saw operators earn on average A$55.000 per year. According to the job outlook for saw operators, employers are particularly seeking candidates skilled in fabrication, licensed to operate forklifts, and adept at interpreting drawings.
09. Truck Driver
The average annual salary for a truck driver is around A$75,000 per annum. The truck driver job outlook data indicates projected industry growth of around 1.1% in the next five years.
10. CNC Machinist
CNC machinists earn around A$80,000 per year. The job outlook for machinists indicates that employers are looking for candidates skilled in milling and technical drawing.
*Salary and projected growth data are best practice estimates for Australia.
