10 Blue-Collar Jobs That Pay at Least $90,000 a Year

Perhaps the start of a new year has you considering a job change. You may be looking for a career that helps you feel accomplished and helps you get ahead financially. Many blue-collar jobs come with competitive salaries and offer a sense of satisfaction from a job well done.

Here are some skilled trades and hands-on professions where you can earn more than $90,000 annually.

Electricians can earn well above $90,000 with overtime and specialized skills. Those who specialize in industrial or commercial work may be incredibly well paid.

Over the next several years, the employment of electricians is expected to grow much faster than that of many other occupations. This need is partly due to electricians who retire or transfer to different areas of employment.

Those with a knack for plumbing can make over $90,000 by starting a business or working as master plumbers in high-demand areas.

Overall, employment for plumbers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next few years. Most plumbers learn on the job through an apprenticeship. They may be required to be licensed.

HVAC mechanics and installers work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems. It's no wonder they're in demand. Employment for these technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next several years.

You can significantly increase your pay by attending school and earning certifications in advanced systems. You may also see your pay soar if you move to construction or repair positions.

If you want to be a construction manager, prepare to plan, budget, supervise, and coordinate projects from start to finish. You may have an office in this line of work, but you'll likely spend most of your time overseeing projects and making decisions.

Employment of construction managers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations over the next few years. You can see your pay increase as you oversee larger projects.

Many may not realize that elevator installers and repairers can earn more than $100,000. This specialized trade requires training and, likely, an apprenticeship.

You can find incredibly well-paying work in high-demand metro areas. You may be on call 24 hours a day and find many overtime opportunities to increase your pay.

Here's a blue-collar job you might not have thought of recently. Powerhouse, substation, and relay repairers check, test, and repair electrical systems and equipment that generate stations, substations, and in-service relays.

Knowledge of electronics, electronic devices, and related areas may help you excel at this work. Training on specific types of equipment can also be helpful.

If you are fascinated by trains, consider becoming an engineer. Train engineers operate diesel-electric and battery-powered trains to transport passengers and cargo. You may be able to travel and enjoy a tech position where you operate controls and monitor safety.

With a high school diploma, you could start in an entry-level position, such as a conductor, and then qualify for an engineering position. Be prepared to complete a training program and pass some tests to ensure you can safely perform this role.

You can find high-paying work with power line installation and repair. You can start in line of work with a high school diploma. Then, you can get extensive on-site training to help you learn to work on power lines safely.

You can make more than $100,000 in this field in some cities and towns. As with other blue-collar jobs, you will encounter specific hazards working as an electrical line installer.

You may have heard of this work but are unsure of what's involved. Boilermakers make and install boilers and other large containers to store gases or liquids.

You may be tasked with understanding blueprints, forming pieces into shape, welding pieces together, and testing and updating boilers. You will complete an apprenticeship training program to help prepare you for the future in this high-paying job.

Public safety heroes help keep communities safe. These positions can pay more than $90,000 a year with time and training.

Supervisors in these areas oversee firefighters and officers performing their jobs to ensure public safety. Specific training can help firefighters and officers move to supervisor roles, often including significant pay increases.

Landing a well-paying blue-collar job may be your next step toward financial fitness. You can either start in an entry-level position or take some training to advance to a higher level.

One place to start exploring may be the websites of community colleges or apprenticeship programs in your area.