I was asked this question by a friend’s son that lives in San Diego. He doesn’t want to work in an office setting and shared with me that he wants a job that requires him to problem solve using both his brain and his body. He also prefers to not go to a traditional four-year university. He wants to make a six-figure income to live in the city of San Diego and have a family someday. San Diego is an expensive city to rent or own a home, so I dug in – did some research to find out the answer to his question.
I found that there are many blue-collar jobs that pay $100k and more.
1. Longshoremen / Dock Workers – $115,000+
2. Electricians – $150,000+
3. Police Officers – $140,000+
4. Oil Rig Workers – $175,000+
5. Construction Managers – $162,000+
6. Elevator Repair and Installation – $121,000+
7. Transportation Managers – $158,000+
8. Aircraft Mechanics – $125,000+
9. Boilermakers – $100,000+
10. Railroad Conductors – $100,000+
11. Plumbers – – $100,000+
Longshoremen / Dock Workers
This job starts out paying about $40,000 per year. As you get more experience your salary goes up considerably. This job does not require a college degree but there are structured training and exams required to advance in this occupation. Our research found a journeyman longshoreman will make $115,000 to $120,000 annually. The West coast Longshoreman jobs pay a little bit more than other parts of the USA.
Electricians
When you begin this career as an Electrician, you will likely be paid about $40,000 per year. This job often allows you to work overtime which will increase your annual salary. Many electricians are making well over $100,000. A journey-level union worker electrician in Silicon Valley makes $150,000 a year. People starting in this career usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, no work experience and plan to be in an apprenticeship program. There are currently 672,900 electricians and by 2026 the USA will need 726,500 electricians.
Police Officers
Police Officers start their careers at $40,000-$50,000 a year. Police Officers with a few years of experience and work overtime can make over $100k easily. If you move up to a Police Detective, the salaries can be above $140,000. People starting in this career usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, no work experience and 1 to 12 months on-the-job training. There are currently 686,000 police officers and by 2026 the USA will need 732,000 police officers
Oil Rig Workers
Working on an oil rig is hard and dangerous work, but there you are paid very well for your work. An Oil Rig Worker three years of experience can earn an average of $175,000 a year. People starting in this career usually have no formal educational credential, no work experience and 1 to 12 months on-the-job training. Job growth is bright with an expected 21% increase in jobs between now and 2026
Construction Managers
Being a Construction Manager, you will negotiate project specifications, manage construction activities, develop operating strategies, plans, and procedures as well as supervise employees. Top earners bring in more than $162,000. People starting in this career usually have a Bachelor’s degree, no work experience, and 1 to 12 months of on-the-job training.
Elevator Repair and Installation
Elevator repair personnel install, maintain, and repair elevators. The average hourly wage for an elevator repairman is about $40 and the average salary is over $79,000. The top 10 percent of elevator repairmen make approximately $121,000. People starting in this career usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, no work experience and will be in an apprenticeship for this position.
Transportation Managers
A Transpiration Manager directs organizational operations, projects, or services, monitors activities of individuals to ensure safety or compliance with rules, liaison between departments or other groups to improve function or communication, and schedules product or material transportation. The average pay for this position is $95,000 and the top 10% make over $158,000 a year. People starting in this career usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, 5 years or more work experience, and no on-the-job training.
Aircraft Mechanics
Aircraft mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Including helicopter and aircraft engine specialists. Aircraft Mechanics make an average of $63,000 a year and the top 10% make over $100,000 annually. With overtime and working at a big company, aircraft mechanics easily break make over $125,000 per year. People starting in this career usually have a postsecondary certificate, no work experience, and no on-the-job training.
Boilermakers
Boilermakers construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Boilermakers on average make about $62,000, but the top 10 percent make over $90,000. With overtime, boilermakers can easily make well into the six figures. People starting in this career usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, no work experience and will be in an apprenticeship for this position.
Railroad Conductors
Railroad Conductors coordinate activities of the switch-engine crew within railroad yards, industrial plants, or similar locations. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. The average salary is $63,000 and the top 10% are paid over $95,000. With overtime pay, you will be making six figures. People starting in this career usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, no work experience, and 1 to 12 months on-the-job training
Plumbers
Plumbers assemble, install, or repair pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems, according to specifications or plumbing codes. The average pay is $54,000 and the top 10% make over $95,000. With overtime and 5 years of experience, you will be making 100k+. People starting in this career usually have a high school diploma or equivalent, no work experience, and will be in a career apprenticeship.
How Do You Get These High Paying Blue-Collar Jobs?
Most of these jobs require a basic application to be filled out. You will be interviewed by human resources and the hiring manager. If your skill set and work ethic match what the company is looking for you are likely to get an opportunity to work in one of these careers. I recommend practicing interviewing with someone that is a manager or works in human resources. Being prepared for a job interview will highly improve the likelihood of a job offer.
Do Six Figure Blue Collar Jobs Require a College Degree?
None of the above six figures require a degree however to be a Construction Manager the US Bureau of Labor and Statics did state that a Bachelor’s degree is usually required. Many of these positions will offer a new employee on the job training and a formal apprenticeship program. So, you will learn on the job and as you learn more skills your salary will go up too. What I like about these blue-collar jobs is that you are being paid an entry-level salary while the company invests in your training. For most of these positions, your salary will double within 10 years. So if you work hard, are dependable, learn the skills to do an exceptional job in your position you will have both a high compensation, career stability, and growth.
What Does The Job Growth Look Like For These Occupations?
All of these positions have average to above-average growth. Many of the employees doing these jobs today will be approaching retirement age in the upcoming years, so getting in now is ideal so you can be mentored by highly skilled workers that can pass on their years of experience to you before the retire from the workforce. Most of these positions will need thousands of applicants to meet the growth and business needs in these fields. If you think you may move during your career for any reason you may want to choose a career that has job openings throughout the USA. So Longshoreman and Oil Reg Worker positions are jobs located in specific areas. Police Officers, Plumbers, and Electrician jobs can be found in every small town and large city in the USA.