blue-collar

/ˌblu ˌˈkɑlər/

A blue-collar job involves doing physical labor, working with your hands and body to do paid work. Examples of blue-collar workers include mechanics, construction workers, and electricians.

Blue-collar jobs involve manual labor and skilled trades. Factory workers, custodians, plumbers, and landscapers are considered blue-collar workers. Blue-collar jobs are often contrasted with white-collar jobs, which are typically done in offices, sitting at desks. The term blue-collar first appeared in the 1920s, referencing the durable, blue work-shirts and denims that many laborers traditionally wore. Blue-collar workers are essential to building and keeping infrastructure and industries running smoothly.

Definitions of blue-collar

1. adjective

   of those who work for wages especially manual or industrial laborers
   synonyms: propertyless, wage-earning, working-class

   low-class, lower-class

   occupying the lowest socioeconomic position in a society
2. adjective

   of or designating manual industrial work or workers
   synonyms:

   unskilled

   not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency

   industrial

   employed in industry

   manual

   doing or requiring physical work

   wage-earning, working-class

   working for hourly wages rather than fixed (e.g. annual) salaries

   antonyms:

   white-collar

   of or designating salaried professional or clerical work or workers

   skilled

   having or showing or requiring special skill

   clerical

   appropriate for or engaged in office work

   professional

   engaged in by members of a profession

   pink-collar

   of or relating to a class of jobs once traditionally filled by women