In this article, we will look at the 5 blue-collar jobs that pay at least $75,000 a year. We have also discussed the growing popularity and demand for gray collar jobs in another article. If you are interested in reading about that along with a more extensive list, head straight to the 15 Blue-Collar Jobs That Pay at Least $75,000 a Year.
5. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
Average Salary: $93,960
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers earned a median salary of $99,000 per year. They typically enter the field with a high school diploma and undergo apprenticeships for on-the-job training. The occupation had 25,100 jobs in 2022 and there are predictions for minimal growth with a 1% job outlook for 2022-2032. They are primarily employed in the building equipment contractors industry, with 20,730 jobs and a mean annual wage of $97,020. The industry with the highest pay is Local Government (excluding schools and hospitals) at $102,010 per year, employing 630 people in the US.
4. Landfill Gas Operator
Average Salary: $95,413
Landfill gas operators work in unpleasant conditions as they have to manage and maintain gas extraction systems at landfills. The job not only exposes one to noxious odors and extreme weather but also a number of potential health risks. The average salary of landfill gas operators in the US is $95,413 per year.
It is also one of the $100K jobs nobody wants to do.
3. Nuclear Technician
Average Salary: $97,040
Nuclear technicians are usually employed by nuclear power plants and have an important role in monitoring and operating nuclear reactors. Utilizing computers and specialized equipment, they support physicists and engineers in nuclear research and energy production. They typically hold an associate’s degree and undergo moderate-term on-the-job training. As of 2022, the median annual salary for nuclear technicians was $100,420, with an hourly rate of $48.28. Despite the essential nature of their work, the field is projected to see little to no change, with a -1% job outlook from 2022 to 2032, resulting in a decrease of 100 jobs.
2. Oil Rig Tool Pusher
Average Salary: $98,648
A tool pusher is an integral occupation to the oil drilling industry and holds a key role in land drilling rig management or as a department head on offshore rigs and drillships. Responsible for the drilling department, they coordinate with the Master or Offshore Installation Manager, overseeing tools, equipment, and supplies. Collaborating with the company representative, they manage drilling operations and handle administrative tasks, including crew-related paperwork. Starting from entry-level positions, tool pushers ascend through the ranks, often requiring cyberbase drilling experience due to technological developments.
1. Underwater Welder
Average Salary: $120,000
The welders must work in an underwater environment, where they frequently face the risk of drowning, hypothermia, and decompression sickness. The job demands specialized training, equipment, and certifications which also cause issues of accessibility when compared to traditional welding. Any job that is this physically demanding and isolated can be considered mentally and physically exhausting. It is one of the high-paying jobs nobody wants.
Underwater welders with a specialization in saturated diving can expect to earn as much as $300,000 per year. Hence, it is the highest paid blue collar job that pay atleast $75000.
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