Though the answer goes much deeper than that, and something I wish educators would teach our youth as they prepare to enter the world. Rusk: I could easily answer this question with expected traits: character, persistence and resilience. This powerful sector of our economy now thrives, with high consumer confidence, huge demand for its services, full employment (with high disposable income) and the highest personal satisfaction numbers in generations. Combined with a serious labor shortage, there has never been a better time to be in the blue-collar world.Ĭaprino: What did it take for you to end up a millionaire after starting your career as a ditch digger? Ken Rusk: Despite the serious economic challenges facing us today, and their profound impact on the nation’s outlook, a perfect storm of positive influences now casts widespread optimism across blue-collar industries.

Kathy Caprino: With today’s blue-collar boom, why should people without college degrees have more reason than ever to be optimistic about their future and proud to be in blue-collar work? Wind Turbine Service Technician: a “ green-collar” job where experienced top earners often exceed $104,000.Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: $92,460 (top earners: $156,710).Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources detail a range of occupations and median annual salaries, many in the six-figures, such as:

And most people are surprised to learn the earning potential for these professions. Ken Rusk: Long before the Covid-19 pandemic and widespread recession, blue-collar fields have enjoyed a resurgence due to high demand for trained professionals to replace a generation of retiring trades professionals, from plumbers and construction workers, to carpenters and welders, and anyone skilled or willing to work with their hands.

Linkedin for blue collar workers