what is white collar 
a white collar worker typically works in an office setting performing administrative or managerial tasks this class of workers stands in contrast to blue collar workers who traditionally perform manual labor at their jobs understanding white collarwhite collar workers are suit and tie workers who work at a desk and stereotypically eschew physical labor they tend to make more money than blue collar workers white collar work used to mean a high level of education and the assumption of securing a cushy job with perks that distinction today is blurred by the fact that white collar employment has become the dominant working class in the u s and other advanced nations american writer upton sinclair is partially responsible for the modern understanding of the term white collar having used the phrase in conjunction with administrative work the differences in connotation between white collar and blue collar have much more to say about the way we perceive the service industry in comparison to manufacturing and agriculture typical white collar jobs include company management lawyers accountants financial and insurance jobs consultants and computer programmers among many others many jobs that require a shirt and tie today are actually low paying and high stress especially in the modern services and technology sectors there are white collar workers unions though historically union membership has been a distinction of blue collar workers expectations of white collar jobswhite collar positions are often expected to offer opportunities to advance to more significant roles as managers or executives a white collar role is likewise expected to generate higher paying salaries with the potential to continue to rapidly scale up their income with further advancement these jobs typically are based in an office however some industries may still require a presence in the field this is especially true for professionals who regularly meet with clients and customers or travel to conferences and meetings attorneys accountants architects bankers real estate agents business consultants and brokers are often described as white collar positions though the actual work performed typically is not menial white collar roles can require the professional to commit to extensive hours during the workweek as well as on weekends white collar professionals may be expected to be on call even during vacation times and outside of normal business hours at senior levels they may be part of a firm s upper management and hierarchy a white collar crime is a non violent crime committed by an individual often of middle or upper socioeconomic status typically for financial gain white collar workers are often expected to develop specialized skills over time making them increasingly valuable intellectual assets for the growth of the company for example an accountant may have to keep abreast of all regulatory changes that could affect how their clients or company reports income an attorney will need to keep themselves apprised of recent rulings and changes in case law that affect their area of expertise real estate agents will need to keep track of fluctuations in real estate prices and the underlying influences that drive such trends advantages and disadvantages of white collar jobsone of the primary advantages of white collar jobs is the potential for higher earnings compared to many blue collar positions white collar professions such as those in finance law engineering and technology often command competitive salaries due to the specialized skills and education required white collar jobs often provide better opportunities for career advancement and professional growth many white collar industries offer clear career paths with opportunities for promotions skill development and continued education though skilled laborers can still be promoted as well there may be limited upside especially if the task performed by the worker is not specialized another benefit of white collar jobs is the potential for a more comfortable and flexible work environment unlike many blue collar positions that involve physical labor or demanding schedules white collar professionals often work in office settings with modern amenities and comfortable surroundings lastly advancements in technology have facilitated remote work options for many white collar workers providing flexibility in terms of location and schedule this flexibility allows individuals to better balance their work and personal lives because physical labor requires people to be on site blue collar jobs tend to have less remote work capabilities there are also some downsides to white collar jobs many white collar professions such as finance law and consulting involve demanding workloads tight deadlines and high expectations for performance the pressure to meet targets deliver results and maintain productivity can lead to burnout anxiety and other mental health issues job insecurity may be another common concern in white collar fields particularly during times of economic uncertainty or industry disruptions layoffs restructuring and outsourcing are all potential risks that white collar workers may face when the economy isn t doing as well though layoffs still happen with blue collar workers companies may be less inclined to downside workers physically assembling products as opposed to administrative oversight of those workers last though somewhat of a joke white collar jobs may be full of monotony and lack of fulfillment for some some may find white collar jobs to include administrative repetitive tasks bureaucratic processes or mundane office routines where other jobs may give you the chance to move around white collar jobs may simply require ongoing mental effort white collar jobs offer higher earnings due to specialized skills 