Working hard to live well

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists 238 job types that it officially qualifies as "blue collar," from masons and aircraft mechanics pulling in close to $30 per hour to baggage porters and bellhops making about one-quarter of that. They combine to provide about 22 million American jobs, or approximately 15% of the workforce.
Those who have developed the skills necessary for the best blue-collar jobs -- largely mechanics, installers and equipment operators -- find they're doing better than the average American, no matter the color of the collar. The average pay for the top 10 blue-color jobs is just over $27 per hour. Figuring 40 hours per week for 52 weeks per year, annual income adds up to $56,347, or 30% more than the U.S. median income of $43,318, according to the Census Bureau. Search job listings on MSN Careers
Top 10 best-paying blue-collar jobs
Public transit attendant $62,088
Longshore equipment operators $58,198
Brickmasters and stonemasons $57,200
Power plant operators $56,472
Locomotive operations $56,347
Aircraft engine mechanics $55,494
Electrical power installers and repairers $55,390
Mining occupations $54,704
Oil well driller $53,227
Telephone line installer/repairer $52,478