Who says hard work doesn’t pay off? Blue collar jobs are lucrative careers. Blue collar jobs are classified as involving manual labor and compensation by an hourly wage. Blue collar jobs exist in fields like construction, manufacturing, maintenance and mining. Many of these jobs require further education such as specialized training, certification and apprenticeship. In addition, they also offer competitive compensation packages. For those of you out there who aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, check out the top ten highest paying blue collar jobs…

1. Elevator Installer and Repairer – assemble, test, maintain and repair elevators, escalators and moving sidewalks
Average Salary: $87,518
Average Hourly Wage: $42.08
Average Work Week: 40 hours

2. Electrical and Electronics Repairer (Powerhouse, Substation & Relay) – inspect and repair electrical equipment at generating stations, substations and in-service relays
Average Salary: $68,084
Average Hourly Wage: $32.75
Average Work Week: 40 hours

3. Power Plant Operator (Distributor & Dispatcher) – control and monitor boilers, turbines, generators and auxiliary equipment in power generating plants
Average Salary: $65,846
Average Hourly Wage: $31.50
Average Work Week: 40 hours

4. Gas Plant Operator – control compressors to keep gas flowing through pipelines
Average Salary: $63,872
Average Hourly Wage: $30.71
Average Work Week: 40 hours

5. Locomotive Engineer – drive electric, diesel-electric, steam or gas-turbine electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight, interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals and railroad rules and regulations
Average Salary: $63,354
Average Hourly Wage: $28.27
Average Work Week: 42.5 hours

6. Electrical Power Line Installer and Repairer – work on vast network of wires and cables that provide electrical power, construct new utility poles and towers, maintain and repair electric power utility lines
Average Salary: $60,354
Average Hourly Wage: $29.02
Average Work Week: 40 hours

7. Structural Iron and Steel Worker – raise, place and unite iron or steel girders, columns and other structural members to form completed structures or structural frameworks, may erect metal storage tanks and assemble prefabricated metal buildings
Average Salary: $59,224
Average Hourly Wage: $28.55
Average Work Week: 39.9 hours

8. Construction and Building Inspector – examine buildings, highways and streets, sewer and water systems, dams, bridges and other structures, ensure that construction, alteration or repaid complies with building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations and contract specifications
Average Salary: $59,144
Average Hourly Wage: $28.31
Average Work Week: 40.2 hours

9. Ship and Boat Captain and Operator – navigate vessels through a variety of waterways
Average Salary: $57, 149
Average Hourly Wage: $27.48
Average Work Week: 39.9 hours

10. Radio and Telecommunications Equipment Installer – set up and maintain complex electrical technology that relays signals from radios in airplanes, boats and emergency vehicles
Average Salary: $57,149
Average Hourly Wage: $24.86
Average Work Week: 39.9 hours