8 Blue-Collar Jobs That Commonly Pay 6 Figures
We all know doctors and lawyers make a lot of money, but those aren’t the only types of jobs that can earn you a healthy paycheck. There are actually a lot of working-class gigs that pay six-figure salaries, many of which don’t require a higher degree to get.
If you want to boost your salary, consider one of these high-paying, blue-collar jobs.
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Air Traffic Controller
Median annual salary: $144,580
Annual salary for top earners: $210,410
Air traffic controller is a six-figure job that doesn’t require a four-year degree. People with this position are responsible for making sure that aircraft are operating at a safe distance from each other. You can qualify for the job by taking the Federal Aviation Administration’s two-year Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative course at an approved school. You can also qualify for the job through three years of progressively responsible work experience.
Commercial Pilot
Median annual salary: $226,600
Annual salary for top earners: $239,200
Commercial pilot is one of the highest-paying jobs you can get without a college degree; however, you do need to get a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration. If you’re in the top 10 percent of earners, you can make upward of $240,000 a year as a commercial pilot.
Construction Manager
Median annual salary: $106,980
Annual salary for top earners: $176,990
The median salary for construction managers is just shy of six figures, but the top 10% of earners with this job earn nearly $177,000 or more. This fast-growing career requires you to plan, coordinate, budget and supervise construction projects.
Elevator Installer and Repairer
Median annual salary: $106,580
Annual salary for top earners: $149,250
If you’re not claustrophobic and don’t have a fear of heights, you can make a good living as an elevator installer or repairer — it’s an odd job that pays insanely well. Getting the gig typically requires an apprenticeship rather than a higher degree, and top earners in the field make nearly $150,000 a year.
Industrial Production Manager
Median annual salary: $121,440
Annual salary for top earners: $197,310
Industrial production manager is one of the many boring jobs that pay over $100,000. People in this role are responsible for ensuring that manufacturing plants are operating properly. These managers — who typically have a bachelor’s degree — coordinate, plan and direct a plant’s activities. Industrial production managers can work in plants that produce cars, computer equipment, paper products and other goods.
Pile-Driver Operators
Median annual salary: $79,000
Annual salary for top earners: $113,360
There are many pieces of equipment you can specialize in operating as a construction worker, and the pile driver might be the most lucrative choice. These construction equipment operators drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads and foundations of structures, such as buildings, bridges and piers. It’s also a growing field — employment of construction equipment operators is expected to grow rapidly through 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ projections.
Police Officer
Median annual salary: $70,750
Annual salary for top earners: $102,530
It can pay well to protect the lives and property of the people in your community — being a police officer is one of the higher-paying government jobs. The top-paid police officers earn more than $102,530 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Power Plant Operator
Median annual salary: $103,600
Annual salary for top earners: $135,500
Power plant operators control the systems that generate and distribute electric power. The job typically requires a high school diploma and on-the-job training. The highest 10% of power plant operators earn more than $135,000.
Editor’s note: Salary data was sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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