Recent data from the United States shows that the job market in the US under the impact of AI is witnessing significant changes. Vocational training and technical training programs are flourishing, partly because many people believe that blue-collar jobs offer lucrative income, while the cost of college education is increasingly high.
The skilled trades, which have long struggled with labor shortages, are now gaining popularity among the youngest workforce in the US. Many of them are opting to forgo traditional college education. With technological advancements in fields such as welding and machining, salaries are on the rise, helping the skilled trades shed their image of being dirty and low-end jobs.
In 2023, the number of students enrolled in community colleges focused on vocational training saw a 16% increase, reaching a record high. Among them, the number of students studying in the construction industry increased by 23%, while those studying HVAC and automotive maintenance and repair-related professions saw a 7% growth.
According to a survey by Resume Builder, conducted in May 2025 on 1434 young people, one-fifth of Generation Z individuals are engaged in blue-collar jobs, opting out of pursuing higher education and instead learning a craft.
But what exactly are blue-collar jobs? Investopedia defines them as jobs performed outside an office setting, typically requiring physical labor or specialized skills.
As reported by CNBC, Nathan Soto, the author of Resume Genius, stated, “These jobs offer high income, good prospects, and do not require a college degree.”
Soto mentioned that many of the jobs on the list fall within the energy and transportation sectors. He noted that most of these jobs are currently “not likely to be automated,” although the future interactions between robots and artificial intelligence remain unpredictable.
Resume Genius unveiled a list of the top ten high-paying blue-collar jobs.
Workers in this field are responsible for installing and maintaining elevators, escalators, and moving walkways in airports. As of 2024, the median annual salary for this profession stands at $106,580, with the top 10% earning $149,250 per year, typically requiring a high school diploma.
Line workers are involved in maintaining the national power grid. The median annual salary for this profession is $92,560, with the top 10% earning $126,610 per year. Although usually only requiring a high school diploma, this job involves physically demanding tasks like climbing utility poles and operating from bucket trucks.
These workers ensure the safety of air travel. The work environment may be noisy, with a median annual salary of $79,140 and the top 10% earning up to $120,080 per year, typically needing some higher education training.
The median annual salary for this role is $75,680, with the top 10% earning up to $100,130 per year, usually requiring a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, involving outdoor work and irregular hours.
These workers are responsible for maintaining heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and power systems in large buildings and factories. The median annual salary is $75,190, with the top 10% earning $121,200 per year, typically only requiring a high school diploma, along with apprenticeship experience.
Those who ensure the smooth operation of factories earn a median annual salary of $63,510, with the top 10% earning $85,970 annually, usually necessitating a high school diploma and apprenticeship experience.
Workers in this field install and repair systems that transport water, gas, chemicals, and steam to homes and businesses. With a median annual salary of $62,970 and the top 10% earning $105,150 annually, this role typically requires a high school diploma and apprenticeship experience.
According to Resume Genius, installing and maintaining wind turbines may not be suitable for those with acrophobia. Workers often toil at heights in remote areas. The median annual salary is $62,580, with the top 10% earning $88,090 per year, experiencing strong job growth and usually requiring at least a college degree.
Electricians, another job usually only requiring a high school diploma, often provide paid apprenticeships. The median annual salary is $62,350, with the top 10% earning $106,030 annually, an expansive field with robust job growth and potentially lucrative overtime pay.
Workers who install solar panels typically only need a high school diploma for this job. The median annual salary is $51,860, with the top 10% earning $80,150 per year, showing promising employment growth.
However, the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce projects that by 2031, 42% of jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree, higher than the current 35%.