If you are burned out on your white-collar job, you might consider switching to blue-collar work.
Or perhaps you're a retiree who is thinking about earning extra income by getting back into the workforce in a blue-collar job.
Before you take the leap, understand that there are both pros and cons to making the switch from a white-collar past to a blue-collar future. Here are some things to consider, especially if you're close to retirement.
Get paid up to $225 a month while watching viral videos
Instead of sitting around watching viral videos on YouTube, you could be getting paid actual cash taking surveys for InboxDollars instead.
It's simple. You sign up here and confirm your email. Then you watch videos and take surveys. Then you earn cash (yes, actual cash … not "points"). Log in during your spare time and see how you can earn up to an extra $225 every month.
BONUS: Free $5 when you sign up, confirm your email and phone.
Sign up and start getting paid today
The pay is sometimes better
![road construction worker](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/07/27/road-construction-worker-adobe.jpg)
Some blue-collar jobs actually pay better than white-collar jobs. You may earn more if you are working in a specialized blue-collar job or one that is in high demand.
If you have management skills from your time in the white-collar workforce, those talents might transfer to highly paid blue-collar jobs such as construction management that can help you get ahead financially.
You can be be more physically active
![senior male warehouse worker working](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/05/09/senior-male-warehouse-worker-working.jpeg)
Retirees don’t always get the same level of physical activity they once did when they used to leave the house to go to work.
Many blue-collar jobs offer a good way to get physically active.
You might get to work outdoors
![railroad workers](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/13/railroad_workers.jpg)
One of the great things about blue-collar jobs is that some of them require work outdoors.
Find a job that allows you to work outside — such as landscaping and construction — so you can enjoy some time in nature and the outdoors.
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.
You can avoid stress
![female worker pushing cargo on pallet jack](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/08/23/female_worker_pushing_cargo_on_pallet_jack.jpg)
If you have a lot of responsibility in your white-collar job, you might feel burned out and stressed. Or if you are retired, perhaps you are stressed out by always sitting at home and feeling unproductive.
Blue-collar work is a good way to relieve stress and feel active and productive, especially if you don’t like sitting behind a desk worrying about projects, meetings, and emails.
You probably won’t have to dress up
![worker is putting up wallpapers on the wall](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/04/22/worker_is_putting_up_wallpapers_on_the_wall.jpg)
One of the reasons it’s called a “white-collar” job is because many workers have to wear white business shirts.
So, if you are sick of wearing business attire, a blue-collar job can be a good option to consider instead. You usually don’t have to wear business attire in these jobs and can enjoy working in comfortable clothes.
You can work with your hands
![Construction details with handyman or worker adding mosaic ceramic tiles](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/07/24/construction_details_with_handyman_or_worker_adding_mosaic_ceramic_tiles.jpg)
Blue-collar work is more likely to involve manual labor, which can be a good thing if you enjoy working with your hands instead of sitting in front of a computer with a keyboard.
Think about jobs that suit your talents if you like working with your hands.
Work is often seasonal
![national park worker cleaning lake](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/06/21/national_park_worker_cleaning_lake.jpg)
If you are retired, you might plan a return to the workforce with a blue-collar job that doesn’t require you to be a full-time worker throughout the year.
Perhaps you are a snowbird who spends time in two different places throughout the year, or you want to travel more.
Some blue-collar work is seasonal, such as summer construction work or winter snow removal. That gives you flexibility in your schedule for other activities.
The cons of blue-collar work
![sad construction workers](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/01/14/sad_construction_workers.jpg)
Blue-collar work can be appealing for older workers or retirees, but there are some downsides to these types of jobs.
Consider the following downsides before saying “yes” to a blue-collar job.
1. Women might feel less comfortable
![A land surveyor](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/18/construction_worker_using_theodolite_surveying.jpg)
Men often dominate blue-collar fields, but more women have been taking on blue-collar jobs in recent years.
Still, some women might feel uncomfortable working in a male-dominated profession.
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.
2. Pay can be less
![car mechanic worker working using wrench tool for repair](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/04/12/car_mechanic_worker_working_using_wrench_tool_for_repair.jpg)
Some blue-collar roles offer great pay. But many other blue-collar jobs pay lower wages. That is especially true of jobs that don’t require a college degree.
So, some blue-collar positions may not get you the cash you need.
3. You might experience physical wear and tear
![worker suffered a finger injury](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/05/31/worker_suffered_a_finger_injury.jpg)
Blue-collar jobs are often physically demanding, which can create health issues if you are repeatedly doing physical activity on a job site.
The issue can be even worse for older workers or retirees getting back into the workforce. You might have some difficulty keeping up with younger workers or meeting the physical demands of a particular position.
4. You might have to work in extreme heat and cold
![worker installing solar photovoltaic panels](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/07/23/worker_installing_solar_photovoltaic_panels.jpg)
Some blue-collar jobs allow you to work outside instead of being cooped up in an office.
But pleasant days outside will likely be balanced out by hot, cold, or rainy weather. So, it’s important to factor the elements in when you are going outside to work.
Bottom line
![Warehouse workers checking work details on a tablet in the background industrial warehouse.](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2023/06/27/workers-checking-details-of-work-on-a-tablet-in-warehouse.jpeg)
Blue-collar jobs can be great options if you are looking to try something different. Some of these jobs even pay enough money that you might lower your financial stress.
But it’s also important to factor in the potential downsides of working in blue-collar positions, especially as you get older.
Connect with families looking for child care, pet care, housekeeping, and more.
Free 3-class intro teaches you how to launch a bookkeeping business — avg. hourly rate for this skill is $75/hour.
Get your share of $55,000 paid out daily to Survey Junkie users.