What Is the Difference Between Blue and white-collar Jobs?
Workers are often segregated into categories based on collar colour – blue-collar, grey-collar, green-collar, white-collar, and black-collar, to name a few. This categorisation was based on the collar colours their work uniforms traditionally display.
Among these, blue and white-collar ones are the most commonly discussed. Both blue-collar and white-collar employees are essential cogs in the machinery of any company or organisation. Depending upon the specific industry, one type of worker may be more in demand than the other.
So, what are the differences between blue-collar and white-collar jobs? Let’s find out.
What is a Blue-Collar Job?
A blue-collar job is a type of work that involves manual labour. It is often done in an industrial or manufacturing setting and usually requires some training or certification. The term “blue-collar” describes jobs that working-class people typically do. However, there is no hard and fast rule about who can do blue-collar jobs.
Some examples of blue-collar jobs include:
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Construction worker
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Factory worker
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Truck driver
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Janitor
The term was coined in the early 20th century, as early as 1924, when people working in manual labour typically wore blue uniforms. Over time, the word “blue-collar” came to encompass all manual labour work, regardless of what colour uniform the workers wore.
Blue-collar employees are usually paid an hourly wage and may be eligible for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week. They can also get paid on a per-project basis.
What is a White-Collar Job?
A white-collar job is work done in an office or administrative setting. It typically requires a college degree and involves working with computers or other office equipment. The term “white-collar” describes the typical jobs of middle-class or upper-class people. Again, there is no hard and fast rule about who can do a white-collar job.
Some examples of white-collar profiles are mentioned below:
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Accountant
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Lawyer
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Doctor
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Teacher
The term “white-collar” was coined in the 1930s by Upton Sinclair. He used it to describe clerical workers who wore white shirts instead of blue-collar workers who wore blue shirts. Over time, the term came to encompass all office jobs, regardless of what colour shirt the workers wore.
White-collar workers are usually paid a fixed monthly salary and may be eligible for bonuses or other forms of compensation. They typically work regular office hours, although they may occasionally have to work overtime.
Similarities Between Blue and White-Collar Jobs
The similarities between blue and white-collar jobs are:
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Both jobs are essential to the functioning of any organisation or company.
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Both types of workers are paid for their work.
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Both types of workers may be eligible for overtime pay or other forms of compensation.
While the similarities between blue and white-collar jobs are few, they are important to note. Both job types are essential to the functioning of any organisation or company.
Differences Between Blue and White-Collar Jobs
The main distinction between blue and white-collar jobs lies in the type of work done. Blue-collar jobs are typically manual labour, while white-collar jobs are generally office or administrative jobs. Blue-collar workers are usually paid an hourly wage, while white-collar employees are typically paid a fixed monthly salary.
Moreover, white-collar jobs typically need a college diploma or degree, while blue-collar jobs usually do not. Blue-collar employees can typically be trained while working, while white-collar employees generally need their education and training before they can begin work.
White-collar employees typically work regular office hours, usually 9 – 5, Monday to Friday, but blue-collar ones may have to work overtime. They may also be required to work during the weekends.
Finally, blue-collar employees need some training or certification, while white-collar employees need to have the qualifications specific to the white-collar job on offer. For instance, a typist’s job requires a certain minimum academic degree along with proficiency in typing. Similarly, an office clerk needs to have the specified minimum educational qualification to get selected for the post.
Parting Thoughts
We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between blue and white-collar jobs. While both positions are essential to the functioning of any organisation or company, they are pretty different in terms of the work done, the compensation, and the qualifications required for them. Choosing the right job type is essential based on your skills and qualifications.
