30 blue-collar jobs with the highest salaries

29. Pile-driver operators had a median annual salary of $58,680, and 3,450 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Operate pile-drivers that install piles for building foundations and other construction projects.

28. Construction and building inspectors had a median annual salary of $59,700, and 104,090 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Inspect buildings and other structures to make sure they are in safe condition and comply with building codes and other regulations.

27. Occupational therapy assistants had a median annual salary of $60,220, and 42,660 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Assist occupational therapists in treatments and other procedures.

26. Electrical transportation equipment installers and repairers had a median annual salary of $60,340, and 11,680 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Install or repair electronics equipment for trains or other vehicles.

25. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers had a median annual salary of $60,420, and 622,790 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Supervise production workers and machine operators.

24. Stationary engineers and boiler operators had a median annual salary of $60,440, and 31,710 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Operate boilers or similar machinery to provide heat or other utilities to buildings or for industrial processes.

23. Wood patternmakers had a median annual salary of $60,940, and 530 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Plan and make wooden patterns for forming sand molds for castings.

22. Police and sheriff's patrol officers had a median annual salary of $61,380, and 661,330 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Patrol a designated area to enforce laws and prevent crime.

21. Chemical plant and system operators had a median annual salary of $62,060, and 28,190 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Control chemical processes or operate machinery that regulates chemical reactions.

20. Boilermakers had a median annual salary of $62,150, and 13,870 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Build and maintain steam boilers and related equipment.

19. Fire inspectors and investigators had a median annual salary of $62,510, and 12,530 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Inspect buildings for fire hazards and to enforce fire ordinances, or investigate fires to find their causes.

18. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians had a median annual salary of $62,920, and 131,690 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Repair and maintain aircraft and their engines.

17. First-line supervisors of correctional officers had a median annual salary of $63,340, and 43,760 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Supervise correctional officers, prison guards, and jailers.

16. Avionics technicians had a median annual salary of $64,140, and 18,860 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Repair and maintain avionics systems on aircraft, like radios, radar, and guidance systems.

15. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers had a median annual salary of $65,230, and 598,210 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Supervise construction or extraction workers.

14. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers had a median annual salary of $66,140, and 471,820 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Supervise mechanics, installers, or repairers.

13. Signal and track switch repairers had a median annual salary of $70,490, and 7,730 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Repair and maintain the signal and track-switching equipment that guides trains in railroad systems.

12. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers had a median annual salary of $70,860, and 38,930 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Operate oil refining and pumping systems.

11. Electrical power-line installers and repairers had a median annual salary of $70,910, and 114,800 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Install and repair electrical lines for power distribution systems.

10. Gas plant operators had a median annual salary of $71,070, and 14,620 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Operate equipment that distributes natural gas for power plants and other utilities.

9. Transit and railroad police had a median annual salary of $74,030, and 4,470 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Protect transit equipment, employees, and passengers.

8. First-line supervisors of fire-fighting and prevention workers had a median annual salary of $76,330, and 65,920 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Supervise fire fighters and other fire prevention workers.

7. Power plant operators had a median annual salary of $79,610, and 33,920 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Operate electrical power generation equipment.

6. Elevator installers and repairers had a median annual salary of $79,780, and 26,830 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Install, repair, and maintain freight and passenger elevators in buildings.

5. Powerhouse, substation, and relay electrical and electronics repairers had a median annual salary of $80,200, and 22,980 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Maintain and repair electrical equipment in power plants, substations, or other electrical distribution facilities.

4. Detectives and criminal investigators had a median annual salary of $81,920, and 103,450 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Run investigations to solve criminal cases or prevent crimes.

3. Power distributors and dispatchers had a median annual salary of $86,410, and 11,620 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Operate equipment that distributes electrical power or steam.

2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives had a median annual salary of $89,030, and 116,660 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Supervise members of a police force.

1. Nuclear power reactor operators had a median annual salary of $94,350, and 6,280 were employed in the US.

What they do, according to O*NET: Operate and maintain nuclear reactors in power plants.