Careerbuilder.com just released a list of ten labor-intensive occupations that hold the promise of decent salary and job growth over the next eight years.
This is great timing, because recently Bossy has been reconsidering her career as an Interior Painter due to unknowns regarding paint fumes—although so far Bossy has thankfully escaped without lasting side effects. Unless you count memory loss. Or—what was Bossy’s saying?
Right. New careers. Like her boyfriend Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting, Bossy thinks there’s honor in laying brick—Bossy has always leaned toward blue-collar jobs, although in the case of painting it was more like a blue collar splattered with primer and deck paint.
Shall we begin?
- Landscaping. Salary: $10.22/hour; $21,260/year. The pros: working outdoors. The cons: all those plants and leaves and lawns and bushes and bah.
- Electronic home entertainment equipment installer/repairer. Salary: $14.42/hour; $29,980/year. The pros: job security due to ever-shifting technology. The cons: expelling all the air from your lungs as you describe that you are an Electronic home entertainment equipment installer/repairer.
- Terrazzo worker and finisher. Salary: $15.21/hour; $31,630/year.
The pros: you join the ranks of old-world craftsmen. The cons: you must first find out what terrazzo is and how to finish it. - Highway maintenance worker. Salary: $15.67/hour; $32,600/year.
The pros: you’re a worker! The cons: the highway part is scary and the maintenance part really hard. - Security and fire alarm systems installer. Salary: $16.73/hour; $34,810/year. The pros: you will be capitalizing on a fear-based era. The cons: you will be capitalizing on a fear-based era.
- Computer, automated teller and office machine repairer. Salary: $17.54/hour; $36,480/year. The pros: endless supply of malfunctioning computers, automated systems, and machines. The cons: have you ever worked for someone suffering from a malfunctioning computer, automated system, or machine?
- Tile and marble setter. Salary: $17.59/hour; $36,590/year. The pros: widely used material for commercial and residential kitchens and baths. The cons: kitchens and baths.
- Heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and installer. Salary: $18.44/hour; $38,360/year. The pros: growing trend for
energy-efficiency keeps you busy! The cons: the cat hair and coins and hair scrunchies and twist-ties behind the refrigerator, the heater, and the air-conditioner. - Structural and reinforcing iron and metal worker. Salary: $19.46/hour; $40,480/year. The pros: existing buildings and bridges are in a constant state of structural disrepair and require your immediate services. The cons: knowing what you know, you will never want to enter a building or cross a bridge again.
- Subway and streetcar operator. Salary: $23.55/hour; $48,980/year. The pros: with environmental issues and gas prices a concern, public transportation systems will grow and require skilled workers.
The cons: you may need an escort for the deck.
apathy lounge says
September 3, 2008 at 10:05 amI just returned to teaching. Wasn’t sure I wanted to, but it’s what I’m trained to do. Teach…and write. There are no real writing gigs in this town and so guess what’s left. However, I think I’m better at teaching now than I was before I had kids. Go figure. I’d worry about the paint fumes, too, but if you’re good at it…you know…
Don’t do anything on the highway. Too dangerous.
Vicki says
September 3, 2008 at 10:16 amMy brother has a love/hate relationship with computers that sometimes get abusive. He’s been known to smack the monitor/base if it acts up. Apparently the hammer method is how he intends to do his computer repairs…lol. And working for someone who has a malfunctioning computer is annoying because they micromanage…as in stare over your shoulder asking a million questions about how you fixed that so they won’t have to call you next time even though next time they still own’t remember what you did. Oh well, good luck painting. I can’t stand it.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
September 3, 2008 at 10:25 amCape Cod Kid is making $13.50/hr for landscaping. I’m making $8/hr to sell home furnishings to people with $$$$ and the stress that goes with it.
I’m considering a career move to scanning cans of peas at the local supermarket. The pay is better and there are no merchandise returns.
I’m also applying for a holiday job at Bath and Body works. I wouldn’t mind the discount on hand soap and shower gel.
Hallie says
September 3, 2008 at 10:29 amYou mean to tell me that OFFICIAL SITTER ON THE COUCH EATING BON BONS didn’t make this list?
Hallie
http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/
Amanda says
September 3, 2008 at 10:36 amNo no no, Matt Damon is MY boyfriend. We started dating shortly after Good Will Hunting came out. I sat next to him at a brewery in Boston and said the words “Who’s Matt Damon?” I saw Good Will Hunting a week later and have been dating *stalking* him ever since!
Deb on the Rocks says
September 3, 2008 at 10:36 amWhat about the good old fall-back of Process Server/Bounty Hunter. Pay and conditions vary. Every day is an adventure for people-people. Plus, very cool wardrobe is tax deductible. Gotta think about the clothing involved in any career change!
David says
September 3, 2008 at 10:36 amGrant writer for mid-size non-profit arts organization. Salary: Probably less than that of the guy who mops our floors. The pros: non-profits are constantly in need of contributed income. The cons: non-profits are constantly in need of contributed income.
It never ends.
Jodi aka soNOTcool says
September 3, 2008 at 10:48 amI see one major con with all of these jobs … THE WAGES SUCK ASS. Yikes.
I say if someone wants to go blue collar and make more money than any one of these jobs, that telecommunications (working on towers) and wind turbines are the way to go. I speak from my husband’s experience.
clickmom says
September 3, 2008 at 10:54 amI am totally overpaying my landscaper.
clickmom says
September 3, 2008 at 10:55 amWait, Deb on the Rocks just totally made me relive Pineapple Express and all my weed related envy.
JCK says
September 3, 2008 at 10:58 amThe options are pretty good here on your list. There is always “babysitter.” They are making a killing. But, then you’d have to beat your head against the wall doing it again…oh, no, I’m CONFUSED, that’s watching the Republican Convention.
Andria and Co. says
September 3, 2008 at 11:09 amReferring to yourself in the 3rd person didn’t make the list? Shocker.
Eliza says
September 3, 2008 at 11:48 amMy husband installed electronic security systems in Kansas in the early 1990s–for less than $7/hr. He always said that if he weren’t so honest, he could make a better living bypassing the security and stealing from those rich homes. He also hated the “fear-mongering” that accompanied the sales of security systems.
Foolery says
September 3, 2008 at 11:56 amGoing from 10 years of self-employment (read: starvation) to 7 years as a white collar flunky, the landscaper/highway worker/bridge repairer thingys are sounding pretty good. Except for my unique ability to kill plants, my tendency to die of heat exhaustion, and my fear or heights, I’m good to go!
Paint fumes, here I come.
kate says
September 3, 2008 at 11:59 amif terrazzo is what i think it is, which is a yummy italian dessert, then i would like to volunteer to be a terrazzo finisher for only $7.50/hr. or for free.
Peg says
September 3, 2008 at 12:18 pmCher Bossy, these gigs all have grins but no green. Go back to Careerbuilder and scroll down to “15 jobs that pay $70,000”. Now, picture yourself as a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator. That’s a life changing step but you’ll probably need more than an escort for the deck. Go for it, baby!!!
Reeb says
September 3, 2008 at 12:35 pmNuclear Power Reactor Operator = Homer Simpson. Mmmm, donuts.
Tootsie Farklepants says
September 3, 2008 at 12:42 pmNo stats on the career of sitting and doing nothing? That’s what I’m looking for. All the others involve too much…work.
corrie says
September 3, 2008 at 1:34 pmI’ve read the list and the pros and cons…
the only job of interest was the Terrazzo worker and finisher. Whatever it is~ the pros and cons were lesser problems.
What about filling up between the painting gigs with dog-walking? Pros: walking with dogs! make your hours! Lots of opportunities for growth! (exclamation points added for positive effect) Cons: poop and walking dogs in the rain.
Blue Lady says
September 3, 2008 at 1:40 pmBossy, you are too funny!
Random Thinker says
September 3, 2008 at 1:56 pmYour worries are entirely reasonable about the vapor off the painting and finishing. However, instead of switching from a job that you love and do well, it would be a good idea to look at these products (Half face respirators and Full face respirators)and it may make your job a lot safer.
http://www.target.com/6000-Half-Facepiece-Respirator–-M/dp/B00007LV3P/sr=1-1/qid=1220463500/ref=sr_1_1/602-2301129-8095830?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3A3m%5F6000%5Frespirator&page=1
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2180&familyName=3M+6000+Fullface+Respirators
davido says
September 3, 2008 at 1:59 pmWhat about writing n’ stuff?
dexter says
September 3, 2008 at 2:32 pmI think IM paying my guys way to much to clean dirty furniture $15.00 – $20.00 an hour.
dexter says
September 3, 2008 at 2:33 pmOh yea, AND PLUS BENIFITS!!!!!
whall says
September 3, 2008 at 3:32 pmThey don’t list Maternity Ward Nurse, which is the 2nd most labor-intensive job I can think of.
The top would just be ‘mother’ but I tried paying someone to do that once and got slapped *and* arrested.
Augusto says
September 3, 2008 at 3:47 pmTerrazo is that floor that has little pebbly things embedded in a mortar kind of thing. I think the jobs for that would be limited to old banks fixing their existing terrazo floors.
Also, for the landscaping, is there someplace that this job doesn’t require being fluent in Spanish?
I wonder why toll taker isn’t included? oh, maybe because smartpass things are getting pretty big so maybe no new jobs.
Being a flagman for highway construction is kind of mindless but includes lots of really hot or really cold weather.
I think I will just stick with being a man of leisure living on my fixed income pension.
Mr Farty says
September 3, 2008 at 3:48 pmI searched that site and found this…
Director of Online Communications.
Requirements include:
Social Networking (Road Trip, anyone?)
Video Production (BOSSY Loves Dooce)
Blogging (What that?)
Twitter (Fake it)
Online Advertising (Blog Ads)
Starting salary in the low to mid $50s
You’re in there, BOSSY!
Susan says
September 3, 2008 at 4:42 pmSo, I guess we are supposed to hold onto the PROMISE that someday these will be decent-salaried positions? And, until then, well… can you say TOP RAMEN?
Bunny Willow says
September 3, 2008 at 4:53 pmBossy should consider a career in this:
americanclay.com
Bunny the mule helped with the installation of this very cool product last summer in the 18 year old son who vacated his bedroom (sob sob…. no wait, great work at home space, great place for Bossy’s mother to live if thre is too much snow in Philly.)
No brain malfunctioning or contamination with this all natural clay.
Bunny Willow says
September 3, 2008 at 4:54 pmBossy should consider a career in this:
americanclay.com
Bunny the mule helped with the installation of this very cool product last summer in the 18 year old son who vacated his bedroom (sob sob…. no wait, great work at home space, great place for Bossy’s mother to live if thre is too much snow in Philly.)
No brain malfunctioning or contamination with this all natural clay. Work for bossy’s own self just like painting, much more creative and fun to play in mud.
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
September 3, 2008 at 6:03 pmIf each one of Bossy’s boyfriends and husbands would just kick in five bucks every year….
OK, nevermind that, although I do think it has some merit.
I think Bossy should get a job writing for Letterman, and she could visit her Italian Boyfriend in the hair salon.
Letterman, as a boyfriend, could probably pony up more than five bucks a year, too. Not that I am advocating any additional boyfriends or husbands.
Melanie @ BeanPaste says
September 3, 2008 at 8:24 pmI am a big shelter mag nerd and am here to tell you that terrazzo is making a big comeback, baby. I myself dream of an open mid-century floorplan with acres of segzy, segzy terrazzo.
One word: TERRAZZO.
Ree (the Other one) says
September 3, 2008 at 8:40 pmI wanted Shortman to look into #8. Now he’s leaning toward teaching.
Helen says
September 4, 2008 at 2:00 amDamn I can’t believe they are still publishing these lists of jobs no one in their right mind wants to do. At least key punch operator no longer tops the list! Blessings Helen who at 50ish still doesn’t know if she wants to grow up never mind what she wants to BE.
manager mom says
September 4, 2008 at 8:16 amI wish I could figure out how to get paid for being mildly amusing…
Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy says
September 5, 2008 at 4:21 amCan I get someone to pay me to go back to school?
g says
September 6, 2008 at 10:39 pmI was a blue collar worker for 20+ years in the entertainment industry, and I made a nice hourly wage and lots of money, but the dirty secret is – you have to put in a lot of overtime, which pays so well that you end up favoring work over your personal life. So many of my co-workers had problems with substance abuse or had personal and family problems – its very hard to balance your life when the motivation is “Work more = More money.”