Employers Are Desperate to Hire Blue Collar Talent as the Talent Shortage Continues for Most Blue Collar Professionals, Police Officers, Truck Drivers, Tradesmen, Construction Workers, Correctional Officers, Chefs, Sous Chefs etc. By Darrell DiZoglio, Expert CPRW & Career Coach of RighteousResumes.com Copyright 2024, all rights reserved
Let me start by saying my source for this expert info article is feedback from my clients, many of whom I have interviewed and helped secure employment numerous times over the last 20 years as a Certified Professional Resume Writer. Compared to most other white-collar professions, blue collar professionals and tradesmen are hired quickly after their new Righteous Resumes are delivered 90% of the time. While there is a serious shortage of blue-collar talent in general, there’s a massive shortage of Construction Workers, Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers (both long-distance Truck Drivers and regional/route Truck Drivers who would be home most nights after work), Linemen (repair electrical lines and transformers, requires a CDL and apprenticeship), Police Officers, Correctional Officers, Aircraft Mechanics,Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, Electrical Power Plant Operators, Elevator Repair Technicians, Construction Inspectors, etc.
Did you know that many Regional or Route Truck Drivers are home almost every single night? Did you know these Truck Drivers earn an average of $90K per year on average with experience? Experienced cross-country/over-the-road Truck Drivers earn significantly more with no college education required. That said, Truck Drivers must have a class A commercial driver’s license, be smart, good problem solvers, adapt to rapidly changing weather, have a tireless vigilance on safety/accident prevention, and make sound decisions while on the road. There is a steep learning curve in year one in a truck driving career, but if you are single, enjoy the open road, and would appreciate not having to pay monthly rent there are dozens of employers willing to hire and train you as a Truck Driver. A recent client earned $122K in total 2023 compensation as an OTR Tanker Truck Driver and did not need to pay any rent. He also has an investment portfolio of nice rental homes. Not bad eh?
Did you know that most Police Officers, Firemen, and Paramedics receive a pension from the city or state they work for after 20 years of service?
Granted we have all been brainwashed by decades of print, radio, and TV advertising by colleges and universities, and thousands of employer’s job postings to recruit white collar professionals. But consider this, I needed a Handyman to install a new door, door locks, weather stripping, repair a fence, and unclog a sink a few weeks ago. So, I went to the ever-reliable Craigslist classified ads to find one figuring that I would have a plethora of choices. Wrong! There was one Handyman advertising in the entire Dallas Fort Worth Texas metroplex (DFW has almost 8 million residents) and he was a 45-minute drive away from me minimum. His fee was $110/hour + reimbursement for parts and materials (he has a big cargo van full of expensive tools like a Drain Monster to unclog pipes). Why was this the case? Employers and educational institutions have persuaded us all to pursue white-collar jobs for decades on end, that’s why. Hmm, here’s a glimpse into this local handyman’s earnings $110 x 50 hours/week average x 4 weeks per month = $22,000 less van payment, van maintenance, tires, fuel, tools, insurance, and meals on the road = $19,000/month x 12 months = $228,000 per year before taxes working 50 hours per week. The average pay for white-collar jobs nationwide is $70K in salary per year. Do I have your attention now?
Did you know that there's a serious nationwide shortage of Police Officers and Correction Officers aka Prison Guards?
Last summer, our air conditioning unit stopped working. We called up one of the leading HVAC sales & service companies in our area (mid cities/DFW TX), an HVAC Technician came out a few days later (talent shortage) and because he was relatively new, he was unable to diagnose the root cause. This happened again with four other Technicians and finally on the fifth trip with a Supervisor & an HVAC Technician with the same HVAC company (meanwhile our home was scorching hot in August). The Supervisor apologized profusely, informed us of the terrible talent shortage, and peak demand for HVAC Techs during the heatwave. However, even the Supervisor who was training the HVAC Techs could not fix our AC system. On the seventh attempt with a different and better HVAC repair Co., the issue was finally diagnosed correctly, and on the eighth visit (needed new parts) our AC system was back in action, but this entire fiasco took 9 business days to resolve, thanks to the talent shortage. So, think seriously about a career in this field. Also, always get a preventive maintenance check annually on your HVAC system before the summer heat sets in.
Did you know that GM, Ford, Tesla, & Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep offer manufacturing jobs with great pay, lucrative overtime opportunities, cross-training, well established paths to career advancement, and excellent comprehensive benefits, as well as long-term job security? Hundreds of my clients have told me so!
Likewise, I interview Construction Supervisors, Managers, Facilities Maintenance Managers, Construction Project Managers, Construction Company Owners, Heavy Equipment Operators etc. all the time to write their resumes. They often want me to forward them any good-great candidates to fill their job vacancies in construction. This is noteworthy because Construction jobs are diverse and wide-ranging from entry-level Construction Laborers, Jackhammer Operators, Demolition Specialists, Cement Installation Laborers, and equipment operators to highly skilled Crane Operators, Bricklayers, Stone Masons, Construction Project Managers, Roofers, Tile Installers, Steel Workers, Construction Estimators, Vice Presidents of Business Development, Sales Directors, Construction Territory Sales Representatives etc. Annual earnings vary widely too from $40K-$250K depending on the job title, education, and experience level. However, there’s plenty of room to advance and work overtime (paid at time & a half) within once you are hired, especially because the shortage is likely to continue.
Wouldn’t it be fun to operate CAT heavy equipment like this on construction sites for a living?
There’s been a serious shortage of Aircraft Mechanics for decades while annual volumes of airline passenger traffic have increased decade after decade. Finally, in 2023 the industry collaborated and decided to do something about it. Increasing salaries, improving benefits, promoting from within, flight benefits for employees & family, and apprenticeships/training are a big part of that program to attract new blue-collar talent to the industry. However, they are facing serious competition for talent from the manufacturing sector, construction, home building sector, oil & gas, trucking, transportation, logistics industries. On the positive side, every time their family wants to vacation in Hawaii, Las Vegas NV, or San Diego CA, there’s no charge for airline transportation (a massive savings of $8,000 annually per year). I have also noticed that Aircraft Mechanics normally stay with the same one or two employers for their entire career, enjoy 401K matching as a benefit, and have a plethora of career advancement opportunities.
So regardless, that shortage of talent in Aircraft Maintenance will grow, especially because the candidates themselves must invest in two years of Aircraft Maintenance Training if they didn’t already learn that trade in the U.S. military. Whereas other professions like Truck Driving offer free paid company training with a veteran Truck Driver brand new hires and often monthly rent payments are not necessary because truck drivers can often be away from home for weeks at a time (rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dallas TX is $1800/month, so that’s a huge savings). That’s noteworthy because in contrast, Aviation Mechanic School typically requires 1-2 years an investment of $40K-$50K just to start work.
So now that you are convinced there’s a serious shortage of blue-collar talent let me assure you that the annual compensation is equal to or better than what the average white-collar professional earns annually too. Why? Supply and demand. Additionally, because of the significant to severe shortage of tradesmen/blue collar talent there are abundant opportunities for overtime (paid at time and a half your normal payrate) vs. the salary many white-collar professionals earn (salaried professionals do not qualify for overtime). Consider a common blue-collar career like Regional Truck Driver where experienced professional drivers earn $95K-$115K annually (depending on experience) + quarterly safety bonuses of $2500 + an attractive benefits package that’s easily worth $40K+ or experienced Aircraft Mechanics that earn $69K-$110K with flight benefits + an attractive benefits package. Additionally, these careers are the backbone of their industries, so you will hardly ever hear about layoffs or a strike because the employers income stream would be halted. Now that’s job security.
Construction probably has the most severe shortage of talent of all industries right now. There's career and advancement opportunities galore in Construction.
Another essential job is an Electrical Lineman, they normally start out their careers by going to Lineman School for 4-6 months, train & study for a CDL Truck Driver’s license and then work as an Apprentice Lineman for the required 7000 hours in the State of Texas to officially become a Lineman. This job is essential because when the power is off, work completely stops at every business, medical care provider, nonprofit organization, government office, and school, college, university and trade school. Fortunately, Apprentice Lineman are paid for on the next two years of on-the-job training and supervised for accident & injury prevention. So, their initial investment consists of a $21K-$24K training program to finish Lineman School (only six months) and obtain a class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) according to my resume writing clients who have graduated from Northwest Lineman College in Denton TX. Once students graduate from Lineman School and obtain their CDL they can start a paid apprenticeship right away and generally Lineman are paid $69K-$124K + per diem for expenses while working away from home. In contrast, the average salary nationwide for a mid-level, white-collar professional is $70K annually in 2024. I have heard great things about the Northwest Lineman College in Denton TX for many years from so many of their graduates, all of whom were hired promptly (so clearly, it’s a comprehensive training program).
Did you know that UPS and FedEx Delivery Drivers are paid very well, receive great benefits, and enjoy serious job security?
Another blue-collar career field that’s often overlooked is Pastry Chef, Sous Chef, Grill Cook, Chef, Banquet Chef & Executive Chef. For more than a decade I heard tons of feedback from back of the house professionals because my office was close to Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute where their graduates become Chefs (masters of their domain) in just two years. Regardless of the ups and downs of the economy people are always going to eat and dine in restaurants, so there’s plenty of job security.
The bottom line is, blue collar professionals and Tradesmen are indispensable, seldom laid off, and enjoy plenty of job security, cost of living increases, profit sharing or 401K matching, and often are paid better than their white-collar counterparts due to supply and demand. For at least the last 7-10 years, restaurants and hotels have been struggling with a shortage of Pastry Chefs, Sous Chefs, Grill Cooks, Banquet Chefs, Chefs and Executive Chefs. In fact, I know of a half dozen Dining Room Managers or Restaurant Managers, that needed to step into Sous Chef, Grill Cook or Chef roles for months because their talent was lured away by irresistible offers from competitors and they were unable to find a replacement in time (talk about a trial by fire). Additionally, Sous Chefs, Grill Cooks, Chefs and Executive Chefs are urgently needed on Cruise Lines, Fine Country Clubs, Luxury Hotels & Resorts, Tropical Tourist destinations like Jamaca, Aruba, Hawaii, San Diego CA, Las Vegas NV, Key West, Newport RI, Block Island RI, Martha’s Vineyard MA etc.
I have also heard that key kitchen personnel (above) can ask for health raises annually in exchange for staying put vs. accepting lucrative offers elsewhere. Average annual salaries from my resume writing clients’ feedback: Sous Chef $48K-$72, Grill Cook $27K-$39K, Chefs/Executive Chefs - $50K-$115K + bonus. Thanks to a serious shortage of talent, working Sundays & holidays, there are ample opportunities to rack up the overtime pay, which improves earnings considerably and benefits packages are now very competitive to improve employee loyalty. Additionally, there is a clear path of advancement in most restaurants and hotels. Many Chefs originally started as a dishwasher, advanced to Prep Cook/Salad Cook, then Short Order Cook/Fry Cook, then Grill Cook, then Sous Chef, and finally Kitchen Manager or Chef/Executive Chef (with bachelor’s degree).
The rate of career advancement in the kitchen has also improved in the employees favor due to the talent shortage, so a career path in the kitchen now includes plenty of overtime pay, competitive benefits, respect, numerous job offers to pick from, a more rapid career advancement, and paid apprenticeships at each position up to Chef. A bachelor’s degree from a culinary institution like Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute in Providence RI is highly recommended, but not required.
Yes, there are plenty of blue collar careers that come with an employer paid car, truck or SUV like Sheriff, Parole Officer, Project Manager, Construction Project Manager etc.
Now, if you want to become a Licensed Tradesman (Electrician, Plumber, Welder, Carpenter, Millwright, HVAC Technician) the first step is to check your state’s training, apprenticeship & licensing requirements (not standardized in all fifty states) vs. your neighboring states requirements because their can be significant differences from state to state that you can capitalize on. Example: In Texas you do not need a license to work as a General Contractor or a Handyman vs. other states that require a license. The length of the required training and apprenticeship length can vary from state to state too. Next, you will want to make a firm commitment to completing the training and apprenticeship program you have decided on. Since these trades are directly connected with home building and construction, I would also recommend that you become fluent in Spanish or at least learn some Spanish so you will fit in better with your employer’s existing team of professionals.
Consider all the blue collar careers in criminal justice - Police Officers, Parole Officers, Detectives, Undercover Investigators, Bail Bondsmen, Bounty Hunters, Police Academy Instructors, Dispatchers, Crime Scene Photographers, Court Bailiffs, Security Guards, Correctional Officers, other first responder careers include Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians, Firemen etc. Airports are loaded with blue collar jobs in Facilities Maintenance, Aircraft Maintenance, Baggage Handlers, Equipment Operators (on the landing strips), ticketing agents, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Officers, Airport Security Officers, Inspectors, Screeners, Supervisors, Managers, Federal Air Marshals, Property Managers etc. all these TSA jobs have federal government pay and comprehensive benefits. In summary, blue collar professionals and tradesmen are in short supply nationwide so their compensation increases annually in an effort to attract more talent, they have abundant opportunities to earn overtime pay, have better benefits packages than ever before, seldom if ever are laid off, have far better than average job security, clear paths to career advancement, and at tier I or II employers they will normally enjoy 401K matching, profit sharing, or performance bonuses to encourage retention. That said I highly recommend you find a great Certified Professional Resume Writer like myself to increase the amount of employment interviews, job offers, your access to top tier employers, and compensation you will earn. Who knew that Certified Honda Motorcycle Mechanics can earn $68K on average? Who knew that experienced Aircraft Mechanics can earn over $100K working for the major airlines with great flight benefits for their family?
Many Aircraft Mechanics, Avionics Technicians, Electrical Technicians, Trainers, Helicopter Pilots, Aircraft Pilots, and Air Traffic Controllers from the US Air Force flourish with their skills in the civilian workforce. Ditto with Military Police, Diesel Mechanics, Heavy Equipment Mechanics etc.
Think about all the different blue collar career opportunities close to home such as working for your city or town as a Facilities Manager, Road Maintenance Technician in the DOT, Landscape Maintenance Specialist, Parks & Recreation Maintenance Crew Supervisor or Manager, Snow Plow Driver (winters only but lucrative work) or Truck Driver, Project Manager, Project Lead, Building Inspector, Animal Control Officer, Police Officer in the Canine Unit, Sheriffs, Sheriff's Deputies etc. I have heard that Recycling & Garbage Truck Drivers and Garbage Collectors really clean up with healthy salaries and benefits packages.
Mike Rowe even hosted a very popular cable TV show called Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel where he visits job sites, interviews workers, and educates the masses on blue collar professions. Dirty Jobs was a big hit, developed a big following, and deserved to be renewed by the network for ten seasons. Many white-collar professionals trapped behind a desk for 60+ hours a week on salary (no overtime) lose their physical fitness, vitality, and slim waistlines because of inactivity. The plain truth is a blue-collar profession will serve you well.
If you would like to be winning from the beginning in your job search and avoid extended unemployment, call Righteous Resumes today for expert resume help. https://RighteousResumes.com