What Is a White-Collar Job? Common Careers and Skills Needed

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What is a white-collar job? At the core, it’s a role typically performed in an office setting — think doctors, marketers, writers and lawyers. While these jobs are often associated with higher salaries, the term isn’t defined by income. Instead, it refers to the nature of the work itself: tasks usually completed at a desk, with less physical labor than blue-collar roles.

What Is a White-Collar Job?

Here’s the easiest white-collar definition: workers in an office setting who can typically complete their jobs while at a computer. Lawyers, administrative assistants, coders and publicists are all examples of white-collar workers. 

Workers who complete manual labor — plumbers, electricians and construction crew — are blue-collar workers. 

The biggest difference between the two types of workers is that white-collar jobs focus on education and communication rather than physical strength. 

Where Did the Term “White-Collar” Come From?

The white-collar meaning originates in the 20th century, when shopkeepers, executives and other office workers needed to wear a white shirt — with a clean white collar — to work. 

Workers in other professions with physical labor requirements, like factory workers and car mechanics, wore shirts with blue collars. Blue shirts can hide dirt and oil better than white shirts, which is why manual laborers had blue collars. 

Common Industries for White-Collar Jobs

White-collar workers usually work in a handful of industries. For example, doctors, nurses, lab technicians, social workers and billing specialists all work in the healthcare field. 

Here’s an in-depth look at some of the most common industries for white-collar jobs. 

• Finance: This industry includes jobs at banks, accounting firms, tax companies and other financial institutions. 
• Healthcare: These workers usually work in hospitals, clinics and other health settings. 
• Education: This industry includes teachers, professors, therapists, administrators, assistants and other workers at schools and universities.
• Technology: This industry includes software companies, social media companies and IT services.
• Legal: These workers include lawyers, clerks, judges and assistants at law firms and courts.

Skills You Need for a White-Collar Job

White-collar workers don’t perform manual labor or physical tasks. However, they still need specific skills. Some of these skills are “soft skills” that require emotional intelligence and solid communication, while others are tangible skills, like the ability to complete computer tasks. 

You often need the following skills when you have a white-collar job:

• Strong communication skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Critical thinking
• Computer skills
• Professionalism and teamwork

How White-Collar Jobs Are Different From Blue-Collar Jobs

White-collar and blue-collar jobs can both provide a solid income, a fulfilling work environment and benefits. However, there are some differences between jobs that fall into each category. 

Here’s a side-by-side look at how white-collar jobs differ from blue-collar jobs:

Benefits and Challenges of White-Collar Jobs

White-collar jobs offer unique benefits like higher average pay and less physically demanding work. But there are also some potential downsides.

Benefits

• Higher average pay
• Less physical demands
• Flexible hours and remote work
• Safer work environment

Challenges

• More physical stress or longer hours
• Office politics and climbing the ladder
• Need for constant learning
• Skills can quickly become out-of-date

Final Take: Is a White-Collar Job Right for You?

White-collar jobs have some unique benefits. You can benefit from flexible work environments, remote job opportunities, fewer physical demands and higher salaries. But that doesn’t mean white-collar jobs are the best answer for everyone. Some workers prefer hands-on blue-collar jobs that require physical labor and specialized skills.

The best thing you can do is explore different industries and examine if you like problem-solving, communication and teamwork in an office environment. If you find that you do, a white-collar job might best fit you. 

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