15 Best Blue Collar Jobs for People Over 40

You don’t have to sit behind a desk in an office to make a good living. In fact, there are plenty of blue-collar jobs that can help you lower your financial stress even in your 40s and beyond.

Check out these great options if you’re looking for a career change or something a little different. All salary figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1. Train conductor

Train conductors are responsible for passenger and freight train operations throughout the country. You usually need at least a high school diploma to start in the field.

The median annual salary is $73,580, which should be enough money for you to get ahead financially .

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2. Home health aid

As the population ages, more people rely on in-home care for everyday tasks or for help with medical issues.

For this job, you might need some training to know how to properly care for your clients. Median pay is $33,530 and you can work part-time or hourly to supplement your income.

3. Event staff

Staff are needed for a variety of events, especially if you live in a major city. You can work on an hourly basis for concerts, sporting events, theaters, and other events in a variety of positions.

Or, you might work in parking lots and parking structures or the box office. Pay varies.

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4. Driving instructor

Driving instructors teach others how to drive a vehicle. Instructors work on a part-time or full-time basis, which can help if you are looking for a side hustle to supplement your income.

You usually only need a driver’s license and high school diploma, making it easy to qualify for the position. This is another job where pay varies.

5. Air traffic controller

Air traffic controllers are responsible for plane traffic at airports, moving planes from one location to another, and monitoring traffic issues.

This job does require an associate or bachelor’s degree as well as additional training, but the median annual salary is $137,380.

6. Library assistant

Libraries are an important part of the local community, and you can work there as a library assistant. These workers are responsible for shelving books, assisting with library programs, or helping visitors with inquiries.

Library technicians and assistants make a median of $36,700.

7. Mail superintendent

Mail superintendents and postmasters are responsible for sorting mail to get letters and packages to the right people.

You need previous experience in the postal service. Median pay is $88,670.

8. Truck driver

Commercial truck drivers travel across the country transporting goods from one place to another.

You usually need just a high school diploma and will also have to get a special commercial driver’s license to operate a truck. Median annual pay is $54,320.

9. Handyman

A handyman is someone who is good at fixing issues that crop up around a home or office.

You can use your skills to make money while setting your own hours and hourly rate. Flexibility is part of the role, as you can take on projects you want to take on. General maintenance and repair workers make a median of $46,700.

10. Radiation therapist

Radiation therapists help administer radiation treatments to patients who need them as part of their medical care.

You usually need an associate or bachelor’s degree in health care or a field such as radiation therapy. Median pay is $98,300.

11. Nanny

If your kids are older and don’t need constant care anymore, use the skills you learned as a parent and apply them as a nanny.

Nannies can work in clients’ homes caring for children. Some offer additional cleaning and care tasks. Childcare workers earn a median of $30,370 annually.

12. Construction manager

If you have experience in construction, consider a job as a construction manager overseeing projects.

Construction managers are responsible for coordinating and supervising projects as well as working on budgets for the project. The median annual salary is $104,900.

13. Fire inspector

Fire inspectors play an important role in keeping communities safe by inspecting properties to make sure they are compliant with fire codes.

You also may be responsible for reviewing a fire to find its cause. Fire inspectors usually need previous experience as firefighters or in the firefighting field. Median annual pay is $71,420.

14. Shuttle driver

Shuttle drivers work at airports, offices, or other areas to transport people from one place to another. You may need a commercial driver’s license to operate a shuttle vehicle.

Shuttle drivers can work part time or full time. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs make a median of $36,920.

15. Power plant operator

Power plant operators literally keep the lights on, along with other things that use electricity. A power plant operator usually needs at least a high school diploma and can get on-the-job training.

The median annual salary is $100,890.

Bottom line

You don’t need a white-collar job to be successful in your 40s, and there are some great blue-collar options that can help you save money and be successful.

You can get a blue-collar job to help you make cash on the side or find a way to get a full-time position in a blue-collar field.

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