Who Needs a Degree? 12 High-Paying Jobs in the Blue-Collar World

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It may surprise many that an advanced academic degree, or any degree, is only sometimes necessary to get a high-paying job. With the proper certifications, skills, and expertise, you can become a highly successful individual with a high-paying blue-collar job. Blue-collar jobs refer to jobs that involve labor or a skilled trade. With specific expertise, specialized skills, and experience, these jobs can even pay up to six figures. If academics isn’t for you, you can train yourself to acquire the necessary skills to get employed in one of the higher-paying jobs in the blue-collar world, like:

Electrical Line Installer and Repairer

An electrical line installer, repairer, or lineman’s primary job description is installing and repairing electrical power lines and communication systems. This job requires you to be comfortable with heights and be able to pay great attention to tasks. An apprenticeship program and proper classroom training are usually required before becoming a linesman to ensure you gain the appropriate knowledge and skills for the job. The annual salary of a linesman in the US averages over $60,000.

Construction and Building Inspector

A construction and building inspector inspects buildings to ensure their safety and meet code requirements. The job also requires you to review the work of contractors, prepare reports, and approve building plans before construction. These inspectors’ annual salaries average over $60,000, with some experienced and highly-skilled inspectors even making over $100,000. To begin a construction and building inspector, you will require a high school diploma or GED, plumbing or carpentry experience, and the necessary certifications.

Power, Substation, and Relay Repairer

The national average salary of a power, substation, and relay repairer is around $85,000. Some of this job’s primary duties include checking, testing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems and equipment used across generating stations, in-service relays, and substations. To become a power, substation, and relay repairer, you must study a course in a technical school or community college. You are also required to undergo training to operate the equipment.

Boilermaker 

A boilermaker’s primary duties include installing and maintaining boilers and any large gas or liquid storage container, analyzing blueprints, fabricating and assembling boilers and pressure containers, welding pieces together, etc. The job has a high national average yearly salary of over $80,000. Some requirements to become a boilermaker include:

• A high school diploma or GED.
• The completion of an apprenticeship program.
• Some additional technical courses.

Oil Worker

Oil workers have one of the most dangerous yet highly-paying manual labor jobs. The workers are exposed to various weather conditions and may be required to work up to 12 hours daily. You can land a job as an oil worker only with a high school diploma or GED—an oil worker’s entry-level annual salary averages around $50,000 and over. However, oil workers who are highly skilled or experts at specific duties that come with the job can earn a salary of up to $200,000 annually.

Over the Road Truck Driver

OTR, or over the road, truck drivers drive trailers and transport all kinds of goods, equipment, chemicals, etc., over long distances. You don’t require any degree. You will need a Class A Commercial Driver’s License and a clean driving record to become an OTR truck driver. The average national salary of an OTR truck driver is around $80,000.

Farmers and Ranchers

Farmers and Ranchers have full-time jobs requiring them to work over 40 hours weekly. Successful farmers and ranchers can make over $120,000 annually. The position requires hard work, especially during harvesting season. The rest of the year focuses on marketing output machine maintenance and extensive planning for the next season. No specific college degree is required to become a farmer or rancher.

Electrician 

The job of an electrician is to maintain and repair electrical systems in homes, office spaces, hotels, and any other place that uses electricity. The median salary of an electrician is $53,000 to $75,000. Experience and time on the job can help you become a supervisor or even start your own business. No college degree is required to become an electrician. However, you must have a high school diploma, a technical school background, and a four-year apprenticeship.

Police Officer

One of the primary duties of a police officer is to protect and serve the community. Some of the best police officers have the opportunity to advance in the job and become detectives. No college degree is required to become a police officer. However, you must pass a background check and clear physical and mental examinations. You must also have a high school diploma and a driver’s license. The average annual salary of a police officer in the country is $67,000. However, some officers in some states in the US can earn a yearly average of over $100,000.

Elevator Installer and Repairer

Elevator installers and repairers install, maintain and repair elevators. They also read blueprints and inspect and look for malfunctions in switches, motors, brakes, and control systems of elevators. The national annual salary of an elevator installer and repairer ranges between $62,000 and $95,000 and is one of the higher-paying blue-collar jobs.

Elevator installers and repairers don’t require a college degree. Still, they have to have a high school diploma, complete a formal apprenticeship program and have on-the-job training to learn all about the basics of electronics.

Gas Plant Operator

Gas plant operators oversee the storage, production, and transportation of different types of gases. They also control, monitor, and maintain the equipment that keeps gases at pressurization and temperature levels. This blue-collar job can help you earn an annual salary that averages over $77,000 and does not require you to have any college degree. The position also has high risks and is considered to be dangerous. Therefore, you must attend technical training programs and pass licensing examinations.

You can become a gas plant operator with a high school diploma and the completed training and examination.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operator

Nuclear power reactor operators have one of the highest-paying blue-collar jobs, with a national annual salary between $162,000 and $796,000. These operators are in charge of regulating energy flow in the reactors by controlling cooling systems. The job comes with high risks, but it does not require you to have a college degree.

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