Blue collar workers perform manual labor, typically from working class. Term originated in 1912 in Iowa due to blue laborer uniforms. Requires high school diploma or GED, some positions need certification. Includes factory laborers, miners, electricians, and construction crews. Highest-paying blue collar jobs earn around $42 hourly
Blue-collar jobs comprise 13.9% of workforce and involve manual labor. Most require minimum high school diploma or GED. Contrast with white-collar jobs, which offer salaries. Blue-collar workers perform physical labor while white-collar workers focus on intellectual tasks