In this article, we will make a deep discussion on Blue Collar VS White Collar topic. The terms “blue collar” and “white collar” are occupational classifications. That distinguish workers who perform manual labour from workers who perform professional jobs.
Blue Collar VS White Collar
Historically, Blue-Collar workers wore uniforms, usually blue, and worked in trade occupations. White-collar workers typically wore white, button down shirts. And worked in office settings. Other aspects that distinguish blue-collar and white-collar workers include earnings and education level.
Blue and White Collar Jobs
Blue-Collar workers perform labour jobs and typically work with their hands. The skills necessary for blue-collar work vary by occupation. These workers include aircraft mechanics, plumbers, electricians and structural workers. Many blue-collar employers hire unskilled and low-skilled workers to perform simple tasks such as cleaning, maintenance and assembly line work.
White-Collar workers usually perform job duties in an office setting. They are highly skilled and formally trained professionals. Many white-collar workers, such as accountants, bankers, attorneys and real estate agents, provide professional services to clients. Other white-collar workers, such as engineers and architects, provide services to businesses, corporations and government agencies.
Educational Attainment (Blue Collar VS White Collar)
Education level is a major difference in blue-collar and white-collar jobs.
White Collar Education Requirements
White-collar work generally requires formal education. White-collar workers typically have at least a high school diploma, while most complete an associate’s, bachelors, masters or professional degree. Blue-collar workers employed in skilled trades, such as carpentry, receive formal, vocational education, though some blue-collar workers acquire their skills on the job. Most blue-collar occupations do not require formal education to perform basic job duties.
Blue Collar Education Requirements
Since many Blue-Collar Jobs consist of mainly manual labour, educational requirements for workers are typically lower than those of white-collar workers. Often, only a high school diploma is required. And many of the skills required for Blue-collar Jobs will be learned by the employee while working. In higher level jobs, vocational training or apprenticeships may be required, and for workers such as electricians and plumbers, state-certification is also necessary.
Blue Collar Jobs usually pay by the hour although some trade professionals earn salaries. For instance, electricians earned median annual wages of $52,720 as of 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Truck drivers earned $41,340 as of that time. Other Blue Collar workers such as janitors, grounds maintenance workers and auto mechanics earned median hourly wages ranging from $11 per hour to $20 per hour according to 2016 BLS Wage Estimates.
White-collar jobs generally pay well because of the education level required for entry into most occupations. White-collar workers usually earn a salary. For example, the median annual wage for lawyers as of May 2017 was $141,890 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median wage for financial managers was $121,750, while the median wage for doctors was $208,000.