Blue Collar vs. White Collar Jobs

Workers are usually divided into categories using different classifications. One of the most popular ways to do this is by using collar colors. Two of the most well-known types are blue-collar workers and white-collar workers.

The term "blue-collar worker" typically refers to someone who performs manual labor and is paid by the hour or for each task completed. "White-collar workers" are usually found in office environments where they might have administrative or management roles. These employees typically receive an annual salary instead of hourly pay.

Historical Basis

Though the origins of these terms have not changed much since their inception, blue-collar workers were commonly seen wearing attire such as blue jeans, boilersuits, or overalls. Dark colors like blue helped to conceal dirt and other work-related stains on clothing. On the other side of the spectrum, white-collar workers often sported white buttoned shirts with ties - a look more suited for office work.

Blue-Collar Overview

The term blue-collar worker typically refers to someone who has a job that requires manual labor, usually in the manufacturing, mining, agricultural, construction or maintenance sectors. Historically (as noted earlier), most workers in these positions wore blue-collared shirts while they worked.

Blue-collar workers typically complete physically demanding jobs, working either outside or with heavy equipment and animals. Some positions only require on-the-job training, while others may necessitate attending trade school to acquire the necessary skills.

Some of the most common blue-collar jobs include welders, mechanics, electricians, and construction workers. Some may be more specialized, such as power plant operators, power distributors, and nuclear power plant operators.

There are many types of blue-collar jobs, including welding, plumbing, and HVAC work. Some positions may require more specialized training, such as petroleum engineers or underwater welders.

How blue-collar workers get paid varies depending on the sector they work in. For example, there are some jobs that typically pay by the hour, whereas other employees are instead salaried by how many items they finish in a day.

White-Collar Overview

The term "white-collar" is synonymous with administrative or office work, an understanding that can be partially credited to Upton Sinclair.

White-collar workers are usually tied to an office. As the name white-collar suggests, they typically wear button-down shirts with a collar (often referred to as dress shirts). Their jobs might include desk work in fields such as finance, marketing, or sales. Unlike blue-collar workers, white-collar laborers don't have notoriously physical jobs.

Those with white-collar jobs are typically salaried rather than paid by the hour. This means that their pay is not based on hours worked but rather on a set amount determined annually. Because of this, their pay stubs will show how much of their salary they have earned for that period instead of listing the number of hours worked.

Differences Between The Two

The terms blue- and white-collar are laden with societal implications that have more to do with perception than reality. For example, we tend to view various industries, educational attainment, personal appearances, and social classes differently based on which category an individual falls into.

Educational Background

The belief that blue-collar workers are less educated than their white-collar counterparts is largely due to the fact that office positions often call for some form of post-secondary education. For example, a company seeking new consultants will usually ask applicants who have completed an undergraduate business or economics degree. Blue-collar jobs, on the other hand, might only require specific abilities that can be learned through a trade school or picked up while working.

Biases

Blue-collar jobs are often less sought-after than white-collar ones by society. The reason is that office jobs are usually considered "better" than those requiring manual labor, which is seen as taxing and difficult. In other words, a position in the manufacturing or construction sector is not generally as attractive as an office job because of the type of work required.

If a nation offers its desk-working citizens safe jobs that focus more on mental effort rather than physical strength, then the country is financially stable enough to allow people to earn money without having to rely on physically demanding occupations.

What Other Collar Jobs Are There?

Yes, there are. However, blue- and white-collar are much more common than the others. Gold collar signifies that these workers have high skill sets and experience levels which make them in higher demand. Some examples of gold-collar jobs include lawyers, doctors, or finance professionals.

Government employees are typically referred to as red-collar workers, as their salaries come from taxpayers' money.

The term "pink-collar" is outdated and used to describe sectors that were typically filled by women, like secretaries.

The green collar, a newer type of job designation, is given to positions in the environmental sector.

Wrapping Up

At one point in history, people were divided into different classes based on what type of clothes they wore. Those who did manual labor typically donned blue-colored clothing since it would mask the dirt and grime that came with the job. On the other hand, white-collar workers usually donned white shirts beneath their suits to signify their office jobs.

The lines between blue- and white-collar jobs are slowly disappearing. In the past, blue-collar jobs were seen as being less desirable due to the type of work and lower pay compared to white-collar positions. However, many people's opinions are beginning to change, and we welcome them with open arms.