What Are Grey-Collar Jobs? (Examples Of Grey-Collar Workers)

Grey-collar jobs represent a unique blend of physical and knowledge-based work, situated between traditional blue-collar and white-collar roles. These professionals engage in skilled trades that require both hands-on labor and technical expertise, making them essential in today’s evolving workforce.

If you’re exploring career options within the grey-collar sector or considering a transition from blue-collar roles, this guide will provide you with valuable examples of grey-collar jobs, including their salaries, responsibilities, required skills, and educational pathways.

Key Insights:

• The top three grey-collar professions are airline pilot, firefighter, and paralegal.

• A grey-collar worker operates at the intersection of blue-collar and white-collar roles, combining practical skills with technical knowledge.

• The spectrum of collar classifications includes:

  • White-collar jobs

  • Blue-collar jobs

  • Pink-collar jobs

  • Green-collar jobs

  • Gold-collar jobs

  • Grey-collar jobs

15 Examples of Grey-Collar Jobs

Many grey-collar careers enable individuals to enter the workforce right after high school, allowing them to earn while they learn. With experience and additional training, individuals can progress in their careers and increase their earning potential. Here are some prominent grey-collar jobs:

1. Airline Pilot
   Average Annual Salary: $67,000

   Airline pilots are crucial for transporting passengers and cargo safely. While they wear uniforms and operate outside of traditional office settings, their role requires extensive training and education.

   To become an airline pilot, one typically needs a bachelor’s degree, completion of flight school, ground training, and a specified number of flight hours.

   Skills Needed:

   • Strong communication and teamwork abilities
   • Quick decision-making skills
   • Ability to function under pressure
   • Understanding of math and physics principles
   • Situational awareness
   • Exceptional multitasking capabilities

   Find Airline Pilot jobs near me

2. Firefighter
   Average Annual Salary: $39,000

   Firefighters provide emergency services, requiring specialized training and certifications. They face physically demanding situations and work in high-stress environments, often with irregular hours.

   Skills Needed:

   • Effective communication
   • Problem-solving abilities
   • Physical fitness
   • First aid knowledge
   • Mechanical skills
   • Attention to detail

   Find Firefighter jobs near me

3. Paralegal
   Average Annual Salary: $46,000

   Paralegals assist legal professionals by preparing case materials and managing documentation. While they do not require law degrees, specialized training is essential.

   Skills Needed:

   • Strong attention to detail
   • Multitasking ability
   • Organizational skills
   • Research and investigative skills
   • Team collaboration
   • Proficient writing skills

   Find Paralegal jobs near me

4. Stenographer
   Average Annual Salary: $45,821

   Stenographers transcribe spoken words in real-time during court proceedings, requiring certification and specialized training in operating stenography machines.

   Skills Needed:

   • Attention to detail
   • Active listening
   • Patience
   • Excellent written communication
   • Real-time transcription abilities
   • Speed and accuracy

   Find Stenographer jobs near me

5. Clergy
   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Clergy members often possess advanced degrees and fulfill various roles, including spiritual guidance, community service, and administrative responsibilities.

   Skills Needed:

   • Social perceptiveness
   • Active listening
   • Public speaking
   • Reading comprehension
   • Instructional skills
   • Problem-solving abilities

6. Funeral Director
   Average Annual Salary: $41,000

   Funeral directors manage funeral services and support families during difficult times, requiring business acumen and empathy.

   Skills Needed:

   • Empathy
   • Problem-solving
   • Communication
   • Ability to handle distressing situations with care
   • Detail-oriented and organized
   • Proficiency in legal paperwork

   Find Funeral Director jobs near me

7. Agribusiness Professionals
   Average Annual Salary: N/A

   Agribusiness professionals focus on the management and marketing aspects of agriculture rather than hands-on farming.

   Skills Needed:

   • Critical thinking
   • Problem-solving
   • Organizational skills
   • Understanding of agricultural practices
   • Leadership
   • Analytical skills

8. Chef
   Average Annual Salary: $44,000

   Chefs require a mix of culinary skills, creativity, and experience, often transitioning from blue-collar kitchen work to leadership roles.

   Skills Needed:

   • Willingness to learn
   • Multitasking abilities
   • Teamwork
   • Passion for cooking
   • Time management
   • Physical and mental fitness

   Find Chef jobs near me

9. School Administrator
   Average Annual Salary: $57,000

   School administrators oversee various educational institutions, managing budgets, hiring, and ensuring quality education delivery.

   Skills Needed:

   • Organizational skills
   • Multitasking abilities
   • Adaptability
   • Communication skills
   • Leadership
   • Willingness to seek assistance

   Find School Administrator jobs near me

10. Teacher
    Average Annual Salary: $46,000

    Teachers possess at least a bachelor’s degree and play a crucial role in educating the next generation, often earning less than their white-collar counterparts.

    Skills Needed:

    • Enthusiasm
    • Leadership
    • Teaching ability
    • Verbal communication
    • Patience and empathy
    • Critical thinking

    Find Teacher jobs near me

11. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
    Average Annual Salary: $40,000

    EMTs provide critical care in emergency situations, requiring both hands-on skills and medical knowledge.

    Skills Needed:

    • Active listening
    • Ability to perform under pressure
    • Problem-solving
    • Communication skills
    • Situational awareness
    • Compassion

    Find EMT jobs near me

12. Electrician
    Average Annual Salary: $49,000

    Electricians start in hands-on roles but can move into supervisory positions with experience and additional qualifications.

    Skills Needed:

    • Problem-solving
    • Willingness to learn
    • Independence and teamwork
    • Strong communication
    • Technical electrician skills
    • Physical fitness

    Find Electrician jobs near me

13. Plumber
    Average Annual Salary: $56,000

    Plumbers can begin as apprentices, gaining skills through classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Additional certifications lead to higher earning potential.

    Skills Needed:

    • Mechanical skills
    • Problem-solving
    • Manual dexterity and strength
    • Customer service
    • Teamwork
    • Instructional abilities

    Find Plumber jobs near me

14. Elevator Technician
    Average Annual Salary: $38,130

    This role typically begins in blue-collar work and progresses to grey-collar as technological demands increase.

    Skills Needed:

    • Mechanical skills and knowledge of power tools
    • Blueprint reading
    • Electrical skills
    • Knowledge of safety protocols
    • Understanding of building codes

    Find Elevator Technician jobs near me

15. Carpentry Foreman
    Average Annual Salary: $56,489

    Carpentry foremen oversee projects, transitioning from hands-on work to more managerial responsibilities.

    Skills Needed:

    • Critical thinking
    • Problem-solving
    • Leadership
    • Understanding of safety protocols
    • Decision-making
    • Team collaboration

    Find Carpentry Foreman jobs near me

What is a Grey-Collar Worker?

A grey-collar worker is someone who occupies a role that combines aspects of both white-collar and blue-collar jobs. This means they often perform office-like tasks while maintaining roots in skilled trades.

Understanding the entire classification system helps clarify the significance of grey-collar roles in the modern workforce.

Job Classifications by Collar Color

As technology advances, job classifications continue to evolve. With automation and AI transforming many industries, the way we categorize jobs is increasingly complex. Here are the common collar classifications:

• White-Collar Jobs: Traditionally office-based roles requiring higher education, typically with bachelor’s degrees or higher.

• Blue-Collar Jobs: These roles involve manual labor and are often found in the trades; they usually require vocational training or apprenticeships.

• Pink-Collar Jobs: Initially designated for roles held by women, this term has evolved to encompass service-oriented positions across genders.

• Green-Collar Jobs: Focused on environmental sustainability, these roles can span blue to white-collar classifications.

• Gold-Collar Jobs: Referring to highly specialized roles that require advanced technical training, often in scientific or academic fields.

• Grey-Collar Jobs: These roles combine blue-collar labor with additional education or certifications, positioning them for higher earnings than traditional blue-collar jobs.

Grey-Collar Workers FAQ

1. What Kind of Work Do Grey-Collar Workers Do?

   Grey-collar workers are employed in diverse fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, education, transportation, construction, and law enforcement. They blend physical labor with technical expertise, and while some positions may not require a college degree, many do necessitate specialized training or higher education.

2. How Do You Attract Grey-Collar Workers?

   To attract grey-collar workers, consider rebranding the position to highlight the technical aspects of the job, reducing unnecessary degree requirements, and investing in staff upskilling opportunities. Emphasizing the potential for career growth and the technical nature of the work can enhance recruitment efforts.

3. Are Grey-Collar Workers in Demand?

   Yes, grey-collar workers are increasingly in demand. As technology becomes more integral to various industries, many blue-collar roles are transitioning into grey-collar positions, leading to higher salaries and more opportunities.

Final Thoughts

The term “white-collar worker,” attributed to Upton Sinclair, highlights the evolution of job classifications since the 1920s. As the workforce landscape continues to change, grey-collar jobs are becoming more prominent, reflecting the blending of traditional labor roles with advanced technical skills.

Understanding these classifications is essential as they help navigate today’s job market and the opportunities it presents for workers seeking to advance their careers.

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.