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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 the U.K. for 2024:
Rank | Job Title | Job Outlook* |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Site Manager | Site managers earn up to £65,000 per annum. The site manager job outlook and career path include moving into consultancy or contract management. |
| 2. | Aircraft Mechanic | The average annual salary for an aircraft mechanic is around £33,500. The job outlook and career path for aircraft mechanics includes specializing in aircraft design or moving into leadership positions. |
| 3. | Boilermaker/Welder | Qualified boilermakers or welders earn around £45,000 per year. The boilermaker job outlook and career path includes becoming a supervisor, working in welding inspections, or specializing in underwater welding. |
| 4. | Nurse | The average salary for an experienced nurse is around £43,000 per annum. The job outlook and career path for a nurse include becoming a nursing sister or a ward manager. |
| 5. | Gas Installer | The average annual salary for a gas installer or service technician is around £29,000. The job outlook and career path for gas installers include moving on to supervisory roles or setting up a gas fitting business. |
| 6. | Lorry Driver | Professional lorry drivers earn an average annual salary of around £26,000. The lorry driver job outlook and career path includes becoming a driving instructor or moving into management. |
| 7. | Electrician | Qualified electricians earn up to £42,000 per year. The electrician job outlook and career path include starting a business or becoming an electrical design engineer. |
| 8. | Plumber | The average salary for a plumber is around £28,000 per annum. The job outlook and career path for a plumber include starting a business, becoming an HVAC technician, or moving into renewable technologies. |
| 9. | Firefighter | Experienced firefighters earn around £32,244 per year. The job outlook and career path for firefighters include becoming crew, brigade, or watch manager. |
| 10. | Electronics Technician | The average annual salary for an electronics technician is £29,000. The job outlook and career path for electronics technicians include becoming a project team leader or quality control manager. |
*Salary information is based on U.K. data and subject to regular change.
