Here are the 10 highest-paying blue-collar jobs

Core Insights - The trend of pursuing blue-collar jobs is increasing among Gen Z, with two in five young adults opting for trades over college education, driven by perceptions of good pay and high college costs [1] Summary by Category Blue-Collar Job Definition - Blue-collar jobs are defined as those requiring manual labor or specific trade skills, typically performed outside of an office environment [4] - These jobs are characterized by high pay and growth potential without the necessity of a college degree [4] Highest-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs - The following are the ten highest-paying blue-collar jobs along with their median salaries and top earners' salaries: - Elevator and escalator technician: Median salary of $106,580; top 10% earn $149,250 [6] - Electrical powerline installer and repairer: Median salary of $92,560; top 10% earn $126,610 [8] - Aircraft avionics equipment mechanic and technician: Median salary of $79,140; top 10% earn $120,080 [9] - Railroad worker: Median salary of $75,680; top 10% earn $100,130 [11] - Stationary engineer and boiler operator: Median salary of $75,190; top 10% earn $121,200 [12] - Industrial machinery mechanic: Median salary of $63,510; top 10% earn $85,970 [13] - Plumber, pipefitter, and steamfitter: Median salary of $62,970; top 10% earn $105,150 [14] - Wind turbine technician: Median salary of $62,580; top 10% earn $88,090 [16] - Electrician: Median salary of $62,350; top 10% earn $106,030 [17] - Solar photovoltaic installer: Median salary of $51,860; top 10% earn $80,150 [18] Job Security and Growth - Many of these blue-collar jobs are considered safe from automation for the time being, providing a sense of job security amid concerns about AI displacing workers [4]