Image by Dianna Gilmour.
In today’s economy, the demand for blue collar jobs is on the rise. This has created job opportunities for people who enjoy doing manual labor rather than spending their day at a desk. Blue collar jobs require a certain set of skills but typically don’t require a college degree and often offer high paying salaries and financial stability. From plumbers to welders, these professions are the backbone of society as blue collar jobs make up the construction, manufacturing and transportation industries. Throughout the past few years, the demand for such jobs has been increasing and they are opening doors to students who yearn for a successful career.
Over the last few decades, parents of high school graduates have pushed their children towards white collar jobs, which often demand college degrees. However, the scarcity of skilled and dedicated blue collar workers has led to increased demand. As tradesmen retire, their expertise leaves with them as well. The pandemic is also a leading factor. “The Pandemic made many blue-collar positions harder to fill, and, as a result, employers were forced to raise wages significantly in order to attract talent,” Alex Benne, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee told Newsweek. Due to the pay increase, many blue collar industries are actually paying more than their white collar counterparts.
In recent years, the reputation of blue collar jobs has improved dramatically. While these trades used to be viewed as jobs for people that lack intelligence, this perspective is changing rapidly as people realize that blue collar jobs not only have high salaries, but job security white collar jobs cannot give. Tradesmen are not only getting paid more but they can worry less about financial stability because of their lack of college debt. Even if tradesmen do have debt, it can be paid off within a few short years because of their starting salaries. For example, an HVAC technician earns $70,000 on average per year.
Washington students that are interested in pursuing a trade should take advantage of different courses provided at the school such as ROP classes and external apprenticeship programs. ROP provides students with classes like Auto Tech, Welding, and Nursing. After graduating, attending a trade school is a simple procedure that can last anywhere from a few months to a few years.
Many blue collar workers can enter the workforce right after high school graduation and start earning money without the stress of being in debt that typically follows attending college.
For Washington students who are uncertain about their future, I believe that blue collar jobs are a rewarding option that is often overlooked. These jobs don’t only pay extremely well, but they also are an essential part of keeping the country running smoothly.
King Rivera is a senior at Washington High school. Originally from the Philippines, King moved to San Mateo at a young age, and has been living in Fremont CA since 2024. This is King’s first year on the paper. He’s interested in writing about sports and nature. His favorite ways to pass the time are reading, playing games, hanging out with friends and exploring nature. In the future he plans on joining the Air Force with the goal of flying fighter jets.