<p>“In the northeast, firemen, cops, nurses, construction workers etc. are considered “blue collar” but make well over minimum wage.”</p>
<p>I’m from the NE, and nurses who are RNs were not considered blue collar workers. Blue collar workers were factory workers, construction workers, mechanics, plumbers and people holding jobs like being store clerks and fast food workers that didn’t require college educations. The pink collar jobs such as people who are beauticians also would qualify for a similar status. </p>
<p>Basically blue collar meant employed, but hasn’t had a college education. In other words, the applicants whose parents were in such backgrounds were likely to be first generation college.</p>