Blue-collar workers are the unsung heroes of modern society. They are the ones who keep our railroads intact, our infrastructure sound, and our factories booming. Economies on the east coast and the west coast have transformed over the last decade and now thrive around industries like tech, business, and tourism. But not all economies have changed. In fact, in states like Ohio, blue-collar jobs are still a highly viable way to earn a living. According to PayScale data, these are the highest-paying blue-collar jobs in Ohio.
Industrial Production Managers – Median pay of $61,000
Industrial production managers work in manufacturing plants. Their main job duty is to oversee and manage the daily operations and procedures of production. They also oversee worker safety, and develop plans for manufacturing products in cost-effective ways. People in this job role usually have about five years of work experience.
Managers of Material-Moving Machines – Median pay of $53,000
Managers of material-moving machinery have a responsibility to transport products safely and efficiently. Workers in this role typically have to get some type of certification or training in order to do this job. These managers can apply their experience across multiple occupations within the manufacturing industry.
Stationary Engineers – Median pay of $52,000
Also known as boiler operators, stationary engineers have a specialized focus in managing stationary engines, generators, boilers, and other manufacturing equipment. Much like machine managers, stationary engineers usually require company-specific exams or licenses before they can work without supervision.
Millwrights – Median pay of $51,000
Millwrights are crucial to any manufacturing, production, or construction facility. They are responsible for installing, dismantling, adjusting, or moving machinery, as well as for moving heavy equipment. Workers in this field can acquire skills via on-the-job training, and apply them across industries ranging from residential construction to aerospace manufacturing.
Methodology
PayScale created this report based on top-paying titles in a specific region. These lists are filtered by relative commonness to focus on jobs that are not only well-paying, but also unique to the region. This was done to remove obviously high-paying jobs that are found everywhere (e.g. general doctors, lawyers, etc.). Median pay is the national median (50th Percentile) annual total cash compensation.
Tell Us What You Think!
Is there a high-paying blue collar job in Ohio we missed? We want to hear from you! Comment below or join the discussion on Twitter!
