10 Blue-Collar Jobs That Pay at Least $70,000 a Year

Blue-collar doesn't mean low pay. While many white-collar careers require years of college debt, some of the country's most physically demanding and technically skilled jobs pay well above the national median — and they do it without a bachelor's degree. 

A salary that helps you build real wealth doesn't have to come with a corner office. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980 in May 2025, a figure these 10 occupations clear by a wide margin.

From the engine room of a cargo ship to the top of a transmission tower, these roles share one thing: specialized expertise that commands real money, and that can't be learned in a lecture hall.

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Median annual salary: $92,560

These workers string and maintain the high-voltage transmission lines that carry electricity from generating plants to homes and businesses. The job involves climbing poles and towers, often in challenging weather, and performing energized line work that demands both physical stamina and technical precision.

Entry typically starts with a high school diploma followed by a three- to four-year apprenticeship that combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction in electrical theory and safety.

Boilermakers

Median annual salary: $73,340

Boilermakers fabricate, install, and repair the large closed vessels — boilers, pressure tanks, and vats — that hold liquids and gases under pressure in power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities. The work involves welding, cutting, and maneuvering heavy steel components, often in confined spaces or at height.

Most boilermakers enter through a four-year apprenticeship administered by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, which requires a high school diploma and combines paid field training with technical coursework.

Nuclear technicians

Median annual salary: $104,240

Nuclear technicians work in power plants and research facilities, operating radiation monitoring equipment, maintaining reactor systems, and collecting samples for analysis. The work is hands-on and highly regulated — every reading matters, and precision is non-negotiable.

The standard entry point is an associate's degree in nuclear science or nuclear technology from a community college or technical institute, along with employer-provided training specific to the facility.

Railroad workers

Median annual salary: $75,680

Railroad workers keep freight and passenger trains moving safely — operating locomotives across hundreds of miles of track, coordinating rail yard activities, and managing track switches and signals. Locomotive engineers are responsible for train handling, braking, and adherence to strict federal safety standards.

A high school diploma is the standard entry requirement. New hires go through several months of on-the-job training and must pass Federal Railroad Administration certification and fitness exams before operating a train independently.

Elevator installers and repairers

Median annual salary: $106,580

Elevator installers and repairers assemble, install, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lift systems in office towers, hospitals, and apartment buildings. The work requires reading blueprints, wiring electrical systems, and testing for precise mechanical tolerances.

Most workers enter through a four- to five-year apprenticeship run by the International Union of Elevator Constructors, which requires a high school diploma and blends paid field hours with instruction in electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.

Stationary engineers and boiler operators

Median annual salary: $75,190

Stationary engineers run the mechanical systems that keep large buildings and industrial facilities operational — boilers, air conditioning equipment, generators, and related machinery. They monitor pressure gauges, adjust controls, and perform maintenance to prevent breakdowns and safety incidents.

A high school diploma is the typical entry point, often followed by an apprenticeship. Most states require stationary engineers to hold a boiler operator's license, obtained by passing a written examination.

Ship engineers

Median annual salary: $101,320

Ship engineers are responsible for a vessel's entire propulsion system — engines, boilers, generators, and pumps — while at sea. They execute the captain's speed orders, monitor the machinery around the clock, keep detailed engineering logs, and manage engine room crew.

Entry requires completion of U.S. Coast Guard-approved training programs and a Merchant Mariner Credential. Employers often prefer graduates of maritime academies, and promotion through the ranks from third to chief engineer requires documented sea time.

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians

Median annual salary: $78,680

Aircraft mechanics inspect, repair, and maintain the airframes and engines of commercial and private aircraft. They run diagnostic tests, replace worn components, and certify that planes are airworthy before every flight — a responsibility with zero margin for error.

Most train at FAA-approved aviation maintenance technician schools in programs that typically run about 18 months, then earn an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate by passing a series of written, oral, and practical exams.

Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers

Median annual salary: $103,600

Power plant operators control the machinery that generates electricity, including turbines, generators, boilers, and the computerized systems that regulate the flow of power to the grid. Distributors and dispatchers route that power, monitoring transmission lines and adjusting output to match real-time demand.

A high school diploma is the standard entry requirement, but the training that follows is extensive. Workers spend several years learning on the job and must pass state licensing exams to operate certain types of equipment independently.

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels

Median annual salary: $85,540

Captains hold command responsibility for their vessels, crew, and cargo — purchasing supplies, overseeing loading operations, and keeping detailed logs of every voyage. Mates monitor navigation and lead the deck crew, while harbor pilots guide ships through confined waterways where local knowledge of tides and currents is essential.

All must hold a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential, supplemented by specific endorsements for their vessel type and waters. Advancement follows a strict seniority ladder built on accumulated sea time.

Bottom line

A four-year degree isn't the only path to grow wealth with a salary that comfortably clears $70,000. The jobs on this list reward workers who are willing to invest in an apprenticeship, earn the right license, and build expertise through years of hands-on experience. 

If you're drawn to physical, technically demanding work — and want pay to match — these trades are worth a serious look.