Submitted by Lew Newmark on Mon, 07/04/2011 - 10:20
Your father did them, and his father before him did them too. What are they? Well, they are what we refer to as Blue Collar jobs. In today’s economy, these types of jobs, while not the most desirable or glamorous, may just be what a young person coming out of college, or even a recently unemployed white collar worker, might have to do just to make ends meet, plus in the new economy it might be their only choice.
Dirty jobs that pay well
By now, everyone knows someone who has either lost a job, quit a job or is just plain looking for a job just to earn a paycheck. Here is a list of some jobs that you may never have thought of applying for.
Working on a Garbage Truck
There certainly is no glamour to be found when you are a garbage collector. Riding on the back of a garbage truck, and picking up other people’s trash may not have been what you were thinking about while get an associate’s degree, but if you can just get past the perceived stigma of the job, and the odor you really have a decent paying
job with benefits. Two things to think about; the average yearly salary for this position is $43,000 per year plus health and other benefits.
Automobile Mechanic
How many cars do you think break down on average each year, and you really do not have to answer that question. The point is that even in a down economy, cars need repairs, and an auto service technician is always in high demand, and the average salary per year $30,000 or better.
Portable Toilet Cleaner
This job may very well rank right up there with garbage collector, but again while it’s not the perfect job, and it might not be for everyone it is a job that requires someone to do it. And for that person, who can get past the idea of what they are doing the take home pay for this person averages out to almost $50,000 a year.
Crab Fisherman
Many people have watched the Discovery Channel’s hit series Deadliest Catch, and just maybe you’ve said to yourself that you could do that type of work. The job requires longs day out at sea, in close quarters, and most of the time you are working more than a 10 hour work day, but that aside, if you think that that type of work may be your cup of coffee, then you should know that after you have gained some experience, you can take home upwards of $60,000 a year.
Carpenter
Learning how to do basic carpentry may take a few years under an apprenticeship program, but here is another blue collar profession that is always in demand. From simple home repairs and renovations to actually building a home from the foundation on up, a carpenter that knows his business can make a good living. Average salary a year can range from a low of $30,000 and higher depending on how much work is available.
While the above list of blue collar jobs is not overly extensive, these are actually very decent jobs to have. And while they may not appeal to the average college student or a downsized white collar office manager, they do offer the chance for employment. Some of these positions will require retraining for many people who find themselves back on the job market, and others may just be a matter of who you happen to know in the city or town that you work in.
While it may seem a daunting task to begin applying for one or several of these jobs, keep in mind that as the job market continues to restructure itself in this new economy, the job that you just lost, may open the door to a new opportunity in a blue collar job that you may never have seen yourself doing until now.
Part of the reason these jobs
Part of the reason these jobs pay so well is because Americans turn their noses up at the thought of having a "blue collar" job. Another reason is because we live in a world that doesn't glorify the simple skill anymore. This day in age, it's not enough to be handy with tools or understand the mechanics of a car. We're lacking quality and quantity for these jobs because we're lacking people with the know how or the will.
I agree that people don't know how to and don't want to have to work hard in order to succeed. They want instantaneous gratification with minimal effort put out. We all take the blue collar jobs for granted. Not many people wants to do these jobs, but where would we be without them? WIthout the garbage collectors, what would happen? What would happen if our cars all started falling apart and there was no one to go to to get them fixed? There will always be jobs that basically no one is willing to do. That only means that whoever is willing to do it and do it well is going to be very well compensated.
Working hard and Doing Honest Work
Nobody wants to work hard anymore. It doesnt matter what generate you are a part of, today, most people just want to enjoy the good life without putting any effort into things. Its pretty crazy actually. With honest work and honest pay, you can be sure that you are strenthening your finances, your family, and your community. The thinking that "that job is not for me" when you are out of work baffles me. I dont understand why people think that any job is "beneath them." We have been sucked up into thinking that we are all celebrities and doing specific work is too menial. I got news for you. Simply because you have your own Twitter account doesnt mean you are a celebrity or that anyone cares about you. Lets get back to work, even if that means putting on some gloves!!
Why are these jobs considered low?
I definitely think you've brought up a valid point. Society sees these jobs as dirty & that ought to stop. They pay well & have good benefits. Also most people take these workers for granted. We look down on these workers, but what if everyone did? There would be no one to collect the thrash. I think it's heartening, to say the least when people opt for these jobs. They deserve respect as everyone else. keep the posts coming!