Do you want to start a business and you don’t mind getting your hands dirty? If YES, here are 30 boring but profitable blue collar business ideas.
A blue collar worker refers to someone whose profession requires them to perform a good amount of manual labor. Blue-collar work may involve skilled or unskilled labor. Because of the nature of the job, most people usually shy away from it.
If you don’t think this is true, then think back to the last time you needed the services of a plumber and how easy it was to find one. Blue collar workers typically perform services that are needed almost every day of our lives, and so like it or hate it, the blue collar business, if planned properly is a great money spinner.
But before you go any further, just know that you cannot become rich by performing blue collar work, but you can become a millionaire by running a blue collar business. If you are already in the blue collar industry and are looking for that business idea that would bring you the American dream, here are a few ideas for you to look into. No doubt, you will be able to fit into at least one of them.
Blue Collar Business ideas
Construction business is one of the very lucrative blue collar businesses in the market. The construction industry is a relatively profitable business and equally boasts of a lot of niches.
In fact, many fast-growing small businesses are connected to construction, such as finishing contractors (e.g., drywall, flooring, and painting), utility systems construction (e.g., water, sewer, oil, gas, and electricity), and structural construction (e.g., concrete, roofing, and siding).
Owning your own construction business can be very rewarding, but it also takes a lot of work. Not only do you need to think about how you are going to pay the start-up costs, but you need to come up with procedures for marketing yourself and completing your projects. If you commit yourself and take the time to plan ahead, you can have a successful construction business.
The plumbing business is a necessary business because consumers and businesses generally are incapable of maintaining their own plumbing systems. Plumbers ensure that potable and sewer water pipes are well-maintained and up to local building codes.
Customers are usually living in residential properties. However, to succeed in getting clients and competing against other plumbers, you must plan your business carefully. To stay successful, you must also market your business well and stay informed of new techniques and materials.
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Electrician Business
Electrician businesses focus primarily on servicing electrical systems in homes and businesses. Because it is a trade business, it is highly specialized.
Furthermore, local and state governments typically restrict non-tradesmen from working on electrical systems. Due to these factors, skilled electricians are typically in high demand. A recent survey by human resources firm Manpower revealed that in the US, electricians are more coveted than engineers.
Short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The system is used to provide heating and cooling services to buildings. Over the last five years, heating and air conditioning contractors in the United States has grown by 3.1% to reach $94 billion in 2018.
During the same timeframe, the number of HVAC businesses has grown by 2.6% and the number of employees has grown by 4.5%.
One benefit to starting a heating, ventilation and air conditioning business is that you can begin with a small investment in time and resources, and then grow your company at your own pace. When improvements are made to the design and function of heating and cooling units, the demand for expert HVAC contractors accelerates.
Another lucrative blue collar business you can start and make good profits from is Waste Management. Waste management (or waste disposal) are the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal.
This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process. You can start your business in any of the following niche.
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Garbage Collection
A lot of people have become solid employers from the business of garbage collection, and you too can, especially as you are looking for a business to start in the blue collar industry. Opening a garbage collection business can appear to be a simple matter of buying a pick up truck and getting started.
But there are other steps that must be taken to ensure your ability to operate and succeed. Business licenses, geographic plotting and advertising are steps that can help strengthen the business and keep you organized so you can grow the business.
The agriculture industry is indeed a very large industry and it is responsible for the employment of loads of skilled and unskilled labor throughout the whole world. It is a fact that there are several money spinning business opportunities in the agric sector and any serious minded investor can leverage on them to make fortune.
One of the agricultural related business opportunities that an entrepreneur can successfully start in any part of the world is to go into the manufacturing of fertilizer. Because there are always farmers in need of fertilizers, you would never want for market for your product.
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Auto Glass Repair Shop
Poor driving conditions or even bad weather can damage a windshield with projectiles like rocks on the road, debris, or even hail. Whether the damage is on your windshield, rear or side window, the services of auto glass repair businesses would always be needed. With the right strategies, you can make good money from this blue collar business.
Regardless of the state of the economy, auto accidents always occur on a regular basis and people will always be in need of auto body work.
Because of this, opening a auto body shop could be a potentially lucrative career opportunity. While operating an auto body shop can be hard work, it can also be very rewarding as you get to work with new people everyday and help them solve a legitimate problem.
Before getting involved in this industry, you will have to complete a few important steps along the way. Put extra care into your initial customers. You want to develop a positive buzz about your business as word-of-mouth can be very helpful.
Cleaning products are one of the highest profit high demand manufacturing businesses on the planet. Unlike so many other manufacturing industries, where at the end of the day the profit margin may be only around 10%, making detergents can bring returns up to 1000%, or even more.
As you starting a manufacturing business of producing household cleaning products, you should consider the location and market for your products. Household cleaning products are of a specific form and nature, which require that you develop technical knowledge of formulations and quality to differentiate the products.
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Medical Equipment (wheel chairs, hospital beds…)
Medical technology is a swiftly mounting section of the U.S. healthcare industry. By 2030, it’s assessed that around 70 million Americans would have aged above 65 — and bulk of them will need procedures that employ sophisticated medical equipment.
Opening up a medical equipment service and repair business can be a brilliant entrepreneurial prospect if it is done right.Entrepreneurs interested in getting into medical equipment service and repair are advised to enter the industry earlier rather than later, capturing as much market share as they can before the industry is glutted with repair providers.
A successful recycling business is a venture that allows you to make a profit while helping the environment. It is, however, a large undertaking, and you’ll face serious competition.
By making a detailed plan, locking in financing, understanding the legal requirements, and using good business sense, you can get your recycling business up and running. The recycling business is very competitive, and much of the competition is from large, established businesses. In order to be profitable you need to offer a service that is in demand.
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Scrap yard business
When the metal products we use in our everyday lives are no longer useful, they are either discarded or recycled for use in other products or projects. Because metal is a resource that can be recycled over and over without any loss in quality, recycled materials are just as useful to manufacturers and builders as freshly mined and forged metals.
Scrap metal can be a lucrative industry to get into, but it is best to speak to those already in the business who will be able to show you what to look out for and what steps you will need to take. This will ensure your business gets off to a good start and becomes successful.
Pest control workers, or exterminators, eliminate mice, rats, roaches, termites and other pests to protect homes and businesses from further infestation.
They set traps with poison or natural baits and seal off entryways. A pest control business owner’s daily activities include seeking new clients, marketing the company’s services, assessing infested sites, performing pest removal and educating customers about pest prevention tactics.
If you enjoy painting and do it well, you are in a great position to start a painting business that has the potential to be very profitable.
A good painting job requires practice, precision, and patience, and because it’s so time-intensive, many homeowners are looking to outsource the painting of their homes, both inside and out, to a professional painter. Along with being able to create a business around an activity you enjoy doing, some of the benefits you can experience when you start a painting business include: minimal startup costs, easy to start, lucrative and fun.
A landscaping business is yet another blue collar business you can start and earn some neat profits from. There are many advantages to running a home-based lawn care or landscaping service.
You’re master of your own destiny, and you can devote as much or as little time to the business as you want. You have a short commute to work if you’re based in your own community. You can work at your own pace and at virtually any time during regular daylight hours.
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Chimney Cleaning Business
Chimney sweeps are responsible for cleaning and maintaining chimneys. Everyone who has a fireplace at home needs to get their chimney cleaned on a regular basis due to fire safety regulations. This is another blue collar business to start in the United States.
Most chimney sweeps are self-employed and self-taught. They learn through practicing the cleaning process with their friends or their own chimneys.
However, some chimney sweeps have certificates. In the USA the certificate can be obtained from the Chimney Safety Institute of America and National Chimney Sweeps Guild. Chimney sweeping is pretty cheap to conduct, and chimney sweep owners can generally make a large profit by charging healthy costs.
Both homeowners and commercial real estate owners rely on carpet cleaners for their services, as having spotless rugs and carpets is crucial in creating a welcoming environment both at home and in stores and offices. If you’d like to provide customers with this specialized blue collar service, you’ll need to understand how to start a carpet cleaning business before launching right into this $5 billion industry.
Carpet cleaning is a challenging business to start-up and gain traction in. You’ll need quality equipment and on-point marketing to stand out from the competition, and the hours can be long, especially in your first couple years as you establish yourself.
As the names suggest, crime scene cleanup companies are often called in to remove the mess created by crimes and other injuries and deaths. People who clean crime scenes come in after the police finish their work and remove any hazardous materials, such as blood and bodily fluids, from the scene.
If you’re thinking of starting a crime scene cleaning business, it’s important to make sure you have the stomach for the work, attention to detail and an ability to deal with loved ones of people who’ve been seriously injured or killed.
Many crime scene cleanup companies identify as bio cleanup businesses, meaning that they specialize in dealing with biological material, including blood and other elements of human remains. They’re called in, often in a hurry, after people are injured or killed.
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Graffiti Removal Business
A graffiti removal business removes unwanted graffiti from a variety of surfaces and buildings. This is most commonly done via pressure washing and repainting. Even in smaller towns, graffiti is everywhere.
One marketing option is to visit businesses that are often the victims of graffiti vandalism and offer them a low-cost graffiti-removal solution. Provide clients with a monthly graffiti-removal option in which, for a fixed monthly fee, you’ll check in once a week to see if there’s any new graffiti to be removed.
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth. This is when the mining company makes the decision whether to develop the mine or to walk away from the project. Stuff like gold and iron ore are easy to mine and will sell for big money.
The services and equipment needed to run a successful mining business are also huge opportunities. A successful mine should be run efficiently and responsibly from exploration through to closure, with sound economic management every step of the way.
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Limestone Mining
Limestone have a vast number of usages including but not limited to building materials, cement, glass, and to purify iron in blast furnaces. Its wide uses makes it a business opportunity to engage in.
A lawn care business offers the services of cutting grass lawns, trimming around the edges, removal of debris, and maintenance of turf, which includes fertilization, weed control, and pest control. Most lawn care businesses offer regular service on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule depending on the maintenance needs of the customers. Services may be offered to residential customers, commercial customers, or both.
Today, RV business is hip. Whether you want to open a jewelry shop, clothing store, or tattoo parlor, an RV makes the perfect “showcase.” Many entrepreneurs are converting RVs into portable shops on wheels. With an RV business, you travel where the people are.
During tourist season you can set up shop near the beach. During the holidays you can park near Santa’s station. Wherever there are people, there is an opportunity to sell your product. If one market isn’t good, don’t worry. You can drive somewhere else!
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Machine Shop Business
A small machine shop business can do general metal repair work or it can design prototype pieces for special orders. As the owner you decide what type of work you want to do and then figure out a way to get customers through your door. In order to build your clientele you need to do quality work; to do that, you need a good set of machine shop tools and equipment.
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Aluminum Door Window Fabrication
Manufacturing aluminum storm windows and doors is a relatively simple process that can even be conducted right from a well-equipped home-based workshop. This is a good blue collar business to start in the USA. This business start-up will appeal to entrepreneurs with some construction and mechanical aptitude.
Once again, aluminum storm windows and doors are easy to manufacture as the material required is referred to as extrusions.
It is a simple process of cutting the window framing rails to length, wrapping the glass in a rubber gasket, and attaching the rails that are screw-fastened in the corners. The same basic procedure is used for constructing both aluminum storm windows and doors.
Candlemakers are artisans who pay critical attention to the sensory aesthetics of their product line and equally are pragmatic business people adept at enticing buyers through smart marketing strategies. Handmade crafts, like candles, are some of the fastest growing small businesses in the country.
According to the National Candle Association, candle sales in the U.S. are estimated at $3.2 billion per year. To start the business, you first need to learn the appropriate skills for candle making. You also need to make your business legal and figure out where you are going to sell your candles to the public.
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Ginger Oil Manufacturing
Ginger is one of the oldest and most important spices used in different kinds of food preparation. Ginger possesses a warm pungent taste and a pleasant odor, hence it has a wide use as a flavoring in numerous food preparation, beverages, ginger bread, soups, pickles and many soft drinks.
The processing of ginger products is an important practice in the food processing industry. The demand of ginger oil is ever increasing. It has good export and domestic demand. New entrepreneurs can well ventured in to this field.
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Iodized Salt Manufacturing Business
Iodised salt, also known as “cooking salt’ is the common salt treated with potassium iodate so as to induce the right quantity of Iodine in the daily diet. Salt was the name originally given to the residue left by evaporation of sea water. Iodizing salt for human consumption is a modern trend.
If you are looking to start an iodized salt manufacturing business on a small scale, the demand of the local market is a critical area you need to research. Meet local retail outlets, and do an extensive market research and understand the trends and the buying pattern of the customers in the immediate market.
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Noodles Manufacturing Business
Noodles are value-added processed food items from flour. In addition, the product occupies 45% market share in the processed cereal products industry. Noodles or chow mein is one of the most popular snacks food items in the United States. Noodles making process is simple, and any individual can start this business with small startup capital investment.
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Rubber Band Manufacturing
The rubber band is a useful item in the manufacturer and consumer industry, therefore, the market potential is huge. The rubber industry is growing exponentially and demand is forecast to remain the same or even grow further. You can a start Rubber Band Making Small Manufacturing Business by utilizing a small amount of capital and some machinery from your home.
Bread is an affordable and convenient food that will always be in demand. It’s been a dietary staple for millennia, and it continues to be consumed by most people today. On average, the typical U.S. resident consumes 37.4 pounds of bread annually.
Bread bakery businesses are bakeries that specialize in making and selling different breads. Most offer a variety of artisanal and/or sandwich breads, which respectively account for 30.2 and 17.8 percent of bread sales in the country. This is a good blue collar business you can start.
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Disposable paper plates/plastic cups manufacturing
Paper plates are alternatives for steel, glass and ceramic plates. They are used in functions and gatherings to serve snacks, cakes, pastry, bakery items fruits, sweets etc. Paper plates are made with special quality paper which is covered with polythene sheet to make it leak proof.
Generally, papers used to make the paper plates are millboard, greyboard, Kraft paper, grease-proof paper, and other papers. The papermaking plate process is not complex and anyone can start the business with low income. You need to draw a proper business plan to start your blue collar paper plate making business.
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Baking Powder Manufacturing Business
Baking Powder is a dry chemical leavening agent. Additionally, it is an important item in the food processing industry. Baking powder has great demands in both the domestic and industrial consumptions. This is because of changing lifestyles and changing eating habits of the people.
One of the major factors for the growth of the global baking powder market is the rapidly growing food and fast food markets.
The increasing consumption of baked foods directly affects the performance of the global baking powder market. The food processing industry utilizes baking powder as a raising agent to impart fluffiness and lightness to products such as cakes, waffles, tarts, pastries, etc.
A woodworking business makes money by producing and selling wood products. These products may be furniture (e.g. Adirondack chairs, cabinets or dressers), or smaller items, like jewelry boxes, smartphone holders, manual coffee grinders, cutting boards or wooden beer mugs.
Once you have a vision of the kind of products you’d like to sell and have some idea of the cost of producing them, you can begin to Develop a business plan. Business plans are important, even if you intend to keep your business small.
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Granite Counter-top Installation Business
Countertops are difficult to install, and it takes professional skill, planning, and tools to install, remove, or repair a countertop. Because the homeowner decides on a countertop’s style, materials, and installation needs, services geared towards custom schedules are incredibly valued.
Marble and granite are especially popular for their beauty and durability on indoor surfaces such as countertops. If you’re a skilled stoneworker, or an entrepreneur who knows where to hire such talent, you could create a profitable enterprise supplying, installing and maintaining these high-end surfaces. This is a profitable blue collar business to start.
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Cabinet Manufacturing
Almost every building with a kitchen or bathroom has cabinets, which are made by cabinet making businesses. With new buildings constantly being constructed and existing ones regularly being remodeled, there is a strong and steady demand for these businesses.
According to IBISWorld, the cabinet and manufacturing industry has been growing at 5.2 percent annually over the past five years and brings in more than billion each year in revenue. This goes to show that cabinet making is a good blue collar business you can start.
Starting a security company is also a great way to improve your economic status and provide meaningful work for those looking for work in private security. Private security industries help to fill the gaps that public security forces aren’t able to adequately address.
Security guard services usually charge hourly fees for the services being provided. The prices charged will increase based on the number of security guards provided for the clients. This is another powerful blue collar business you can start and run to profitability.
Pressure washing is very effective in removing dirt and grime than other methods of cleaning. This service is highly valued by customers who want to improve the appearance of the exterior of their home or building. Pressure washing helps extend the life of a building and its finishes.
Starting a small pressure washing business can be accomplished with a minimal investment in equipment and training, but the work requires physical fitness, stamina and business skills. Learning to operate the pressure washer itself takes only a few minutes, but the skill required to safely and effectively clean different surfaces can only be had through experience or professional training.
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Concrete Pouring Business
Concrete pouring business is a very lucrative business that can be started in the blue collar industry. The concrete business is often subject to market conditions in the construction industry. It experiences highs and lows, but a successful business is capable of working through these periods by building stability into the Business model.
One method of differentiating yourself in the market is through specialization. You can still offer general concrete pouring services, but anything that requires a specialized skill set and equipment is valued.
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Bricklaying Business
Yet another blue collar business you can start in the United states is brick laying. Demand for bricklaying services is high, with employment of bricklayers and stonemasons projected to grow 34 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To start a bricklaying business, you must have practical building skills, experience of working on-site, and the ability to take responsibility for planning and managing a bricklaying project. You can operate your business from home, if you have the space to store tools and equipment. Alternatively, rent a yard where you can store materials and equipment
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Auto Repair
Taking a car to the shop for even simple repairs can be a challenge. After all, most of us use our cars to get from place to place— that means taking a car in for repairs often either involves a long wait at the repair shop, renting a vehicle for the day, or coordinating a ride with a friend or spouse.
These options are both expensive and inconvenient. The good news is that while some repair jobs do require the equipment of an auto shop to complete, there are plenty of maintenance and repair services that need just a few simple tools to complete.
If you’re skilled as a mechanic, you might consider a mobile auto repair service as one of the most profitable business ideas. You can offer oil changes, fluid refills, battery swaps, headlight repair, and more right in your customer’s driveway or office parking lot.
Next on our list of the most profitable blue collar businesses is a mobile car wash services. It seems safe to say that many people would pay a premium for a mobile car wash that came to them, instead of having to drive across town to access a car wash.
This is especially true for people with upscale cars who prefer more personalized service. As a mobile car wash and auto detailing service, you wouldn’t only benefit from the unique value proposition of being mobile, but you’d also avoid the significant overhead and startup cost of having a physical location.
Not sure how to start your own mobile car wash service? There are a variety of online wholesalers that offer auto detailing startup kits, as well as training for those interested in starting their own business in this niche industry.
To say that Americans these days are obsessed with electronics would be a bit of an understatement. People spend most of their waking hours staring at a screen of some sort.
This widespread tech addiction means that when something goes wrong, people want help as soon as possible. Therefore, there’s no doubt that mobile electronic repair services are a popular blue collar and could easily be one of the most profitable small businesses.
With this service, you could be the solution for every broken iPhone screen, WiFi card, and laptop battery. Plus, you’ll be even more successful if you’re willing to travel to your customer. Apple stores and other electronics retailers have come under fire recently for long customer wait times, which could work in favor of mobile providers.
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General Contractor
Construction work has been the backbone of America’s blue-collar culture, and many successful people got their start by turning raw materials into structures.
A general contractor is responsible for providing all of the material, labor, equipment (such as engineering vehicles and tools) and services necessary for the construction of the project. A general contractor often hires specialized subcontractors to perform all or portions of the construction work. With the right experience, this is a very profitable blue collar business.
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Steel Worker and Motorcycle Builder Business
The rise of the steel industry coincided with and fueled the emergence of the United States as a global superpower. A lot of people have made a blue collar living out of steel, and one of the things that can come out of this is motorcycles. If you have the right skills, you can start your own motorcycle manufacturing business.
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Home Remodeler
Giving makeovers to old, dilapidated homes involves several traditional blue-collar trades. Remodeling experts have to understand construction, electricity, plumbing, roofing and other specialties.
Your remodeling business might be a one person show where you personally complete kitchen, bathroom, bedroom remodels or additions to homes and businesses. In another business model, you could serve as a general contractor and hire employees or subcontractors to help complete jobs in a more efficient manner.
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Crab Fishing Business
Snow crab is a delicacy that is enjoyed around the world. Most of the world’s snow crab can be found in the Bering Sea off of the coast of Alaska. Getting crabs from the sea to the plate is an arduous task that involves long hours spent at sea under sometimes rough weather conditions.
Despite the danger inherent in the job of snow crab fishing, many are drawn to this career for the promise of adventure and lucrative pay. Few blue-collar jobs are more demanding and more dangerous than fishing for crabs in the sea. But a lot of people do it and make good money out of it, so you can too.
Roofing is difficult, dangerous and potentially lucrative work. Just about every structure requires a roof, whether it is a house, business, school, or government building.
Roofers have a consistent flow of work as roofs do not last forever. In general, the typical roof lasts about 15 years. However, roofs require periodic inspections, maintenance and repairs after installation. This is now where the business and the money is.
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Custodial Business
Custodial work is as blue collar as any job can be. The custodial business is one of the most competitive services in the cleaning-business niche. If you choose to get into this business, you will clean commercial buildings such as retail spaces, hospitals, schools, and warehouses.
The challenge to find and keep the best-paying contract jobs is heightened by the fact that many of these institutions have been squeezed financially in recent times. That makes the janitorial business competitive, as companies naturally strive to get the best results for their money.