News & Trending Jobs & Career News

15 Best Blue Collar Jobs for People Over 40

Here are some good options for workers who would rather not sit behind a desk.

people working inside printing packaging factory
Updated Aug. 2, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

You don’t have to sit behind a desk in an office to make a good living. In fact, there are plenty of blue-collar jobs that can help you lower your financial stress even in your 40s and beyond.

Check out these great options if you’re looking for a career change or something a little different. All salary figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Earn money online by taking surveys

$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.

Follow these simple steps to start earning:

  1. Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
  2. Take surveys.
  3. Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!

P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.

Get your share of $55,000 daily by signing up here

Train conductor

Viktoriia F/Adobe train driver in cabin

Train conductors are responsible for passenger and freight train operations throughout the country. You usually need at least a high school diploma to start in the field.

The median annual salary is $73,580, which should be enough money for you to get ahead financially.

Home health aid

zinkevych/Adobe gentle trained nurse helping mature patient

As the population ages, more people rely on in-home care for everyday tasks or for help with medical issues.

For this job, you might need some training to know how to properly care for your clients. Median pay is $33,530 and you can work part-time or hourly to supplement your income.

Event staff

JackF/Adobe male worker setting chairs in conference room

Staff are needed for a variety of events, especially if you live in a major city. You can work on an hourly basis for concerts, sporting events, theaters, and other events in a variety of positions.

Or, you might work in parking lots and parking structures or the box office. Pay varies.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

Driving instructor

Syda Productions/Adobe woman learning driving with scared husband

Driving instructors teach others how to drive a vehicle. Instructors work on a part-time or full-time basis, which can help if you are looking for a side hustle to supplement your income.

You usually only need a driver’s license and high school diploma, making it easy to qualify for the position. This is another job where pay varies.

Air traffic controller

David Fuentes/Adobe air traffic controller at control tower

Air traffic controllers are responsible for plane traffic at airports, moving planes from one location to another, and monitoring traffic issues.

This job does require an associate or bachelor’s degree as well as additional training, but the median annual salary is $137,380.

Library assistant

Drazen/Adobe african american librarian using computer

Libraries are an important part of the local community, and you can work there as a library assistant. These workers are responsible for shelving books, assisting with library programs, or helping visitors with inquiries.

Library technicians and assistants make a median of $36,700.

Mail superintendent

Olivier-Tuffé/Adobe man working at courier company

Mail superintendents and postmasters are responsible for sorting mail to get letters and packages to the right people.

You need previous experience in the postal service. Median pay is $88,670.

Truck driver

Kzenon/Adobe male truck driver giving thumbs up

Commercial truck drivers travel across the country transporting goods from one place to another.

You usually need just a high school diploma and will also have to get a special commercial driver’s license to operate a truck. Median annual pay is $54,320.

Handyman

Louis-Photo/Adobe man installing double sliding patio door

A handyman is someone who is good at fixing issues that crop up around a home or office.

You can use your skills to make money while setting your own hours and hourly rate. Flexibility is part of the role, as you can take on projects you want to take on. General maintenance and repair workers make a median of $46,700.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Radiation therapist

Valerii Apetroaiei/Adobe woman undergoing radiation therapy with doctors

Radiation therapists help administer radiation treatments to patients who need them as part of their medical care.

You usually need an associate or bachelor’s degree in health care or a field such as radiation therapy. Median pay is $98,300.

Nanny

Jacob Lund/Adobe girl playing with nanny at park

If your kids are older and don’t need constant care anymore, use the skills you learned as a parent and apply them as a nanny.

Nannies can work in clients’ homes caring for children. Some offer additional cleaning and care tasks. Childcare workers earn a median of $30,370 annually.

Construction manager

Halfpoint/Adobe male engineer holding blueprints on site

If you have experience in construction, consider a job as a construction manager overseeing projects.

Construction managers are responsible for coordinating and supervising projects as well as working on budgets for the project. The median annual salary is $104,900.

Fire inspector

YouraPechkin/Adobe woman fire inspector writing in office

Fire inspectors play an important role in keeping communities safe by inspecting properties to make sure they are compliant with fire codes.

You also may be responsible for reviewing a fire to find its cause. Fire inspectors usually need previous experience as firefighters or in the firefighting field. Median annual pay is $71,420.

Shuttle driver

New Africa/Adobe professional driver with clipboard near bus

Shuttle drivers work at airports, offices, or other areas to transport people from one place to another. You may need a commercial driver’s license to operate a shuttle vehicle.

Shuttle drivers can work part time or full time. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs make a median of $36,920.

Power plant operator

Kampan/Adobe production power plant engineer on site

Power plant operators literally keep the lights on, along with other things that use electricity. A power plant operator usually needs at least a high school diploma and can get on-the-job training.

The median annual salary is $100,890.

Bottom line

michaeljung/Adobe happy male electrician giving thumb up

You don’t need a white-collar job to be successful in your 40s, and there are some great blue-collar options that can help you save money and be successful.

You can get a blue-collar job to help you make cash on the side or find a way to get a full-time position in a blue-collar field.


Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.