A recent report from Resume Coach indicates that, in general, demand for blue-collar workers has spiked appreciably—and the salaries for these jobs has increased accordingly. Some of the details include:

• 35% of the fastest-growing jobs are blue-collar, with 1.7 million new jobs expected between now and 2032
• Union worker salaries have increased 6.3% within the past year
• Blue-collar jobs offer more stability than their white-collar counterparts
• Many blue-collar workers, such as electricians, plumbers and construction workers, are essential for infrastructure and daily life, making them less likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence.
  

Blue-collar jobs are positions that require manual labor or a skilled trade, often associated with construction, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and maintenance industries. While some require only a high school diploma or GED, others such as electrical work may call for specific certifications or licenses.

Some sources report that blue-collar jobs are some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying career paths, particularly among Gen Z and workers looking for a job change, thanks to stability, high wages, job security and opportunities for advancement.

Among the jobs marked for growth potential and earning power are:

• Electrical power line installers and repairers, according to Forbes. Lineworkers install and maintain electrical transmission and distribution systems. While the work can be dangerous and physically demanding, it is essential and resistant to automation. The median annual salary is $95,000–$105,000, but that figure can go up significantly for those performing emergency storm repairs.
• Electricians, driven in part by demand from EV charging infrastructure and solar installations, according to MooseLog. Duties include installing, maintaining and repairing electrical systems and equipment in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial facilities; reviewing transformers, inspecting circuit breakers and analyzing electrical outlets to ensure proper installation and safety. The average national annual salary is $58,980.
• Electrical company business owners have the potential to make the most amount of money when performing work themselves rather than only paying employees, earning an annual average of $120,000–$300,000, but that figure can rise to $1 million or more as the company grows and hires more electricians.

However, not all blue-collar jobs are experiencing growth. Some are seeing declining employment, due to automation, changing consumer habits or A.I. Jobs forecast to see decreased demand include boilermakers, masonry workers, coin and vending machine repairers, bridge and lock tenders, woodworkers, chemical plant operators, assemblers and fabricators, construction and building inspectors (although construction managers and supervisors are on the rise), grinding and polishing workers, machine setters and operators, and metal and plastic machine workers.