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Gray-Collar Jobs Offer The Best Of Both White And Blue-Collar Opportunities
Gray-collar jobs are the fastest-growing occupations, according to data by the United States of Bureau of Labor Statistics. On its list of the “highest projected percent change of employment” between 2022 to 2032, gray-collar roles dominate.
"Gray-collar" is a term used to describe jobs that intersect between the traditional segments of "blue-collar" and "white-collar." These hybrid roles combine aspects of both hands-on, physical labor (blue-collar), often involving the operation of tools, machinery or equipment, and technical skills or knowledge (white-collar).
Gray-collar workers are highly skilled or specialized, and often well-compensated, in industries like technology, healthcare and service or hospitality. While advanced degrees are not required for all gray-collar roles, these employees typically hold at minimum associate degrees, licenses or vocational certifications.
Jobless Claims Surge Amid Layoffs
The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits at the end of January rose to a nearly three-month high of 224,000, possibly a sign of some softening in what’s been an incredibly strong labor market.
Initial jobless claims increased by 9,000 in the seven days ended Jan. 27 from 215,000 in the prior week, based on seasonally adjusted figures. Claims rose in 29 of the 53 states and territories that report these figures to the federal government. The biggest increases were in California, Oregon and New York.
While they still show a surprisingly resilient labor market characterized by low layoffs and low unemployment, new claims appear to have wafted higher in the new year.
January Hiring Was The Lowest For The Month On Record
Companies announced the highest level of job cuts in January since early 2023, a potential trouble spot for a labor market that will be in sharp focus this year, according to a report Thursday from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
The job outplacement firm said planned layoffs totaled 82,307 for the month, a jump of 136% from December though still down 20% from the same period a year ago.
It was the second-highest layoff total and the lowest planned hiring level for the month of January in data going back to 2009.
Technology and finance were the hardest-hit sectors, with high-flying Silicon Valley leaders such as Microsoft, Alphabet and PayPal announcing workforce cuts to start the year. Amazon also said it would be cutting as did UPS in the biggest month for layoffs since March 2023.
The Power Imbalance Between Employers And Employees
In today's job market, amid an economic downturn, companies have the upper hand. In this LinkedIn Live, I will discuss how employers are wielding the power over their workforce, which is evident in the wave of layoff announcements, high executive compensation packages, strict return-to-office policies, lack of executive accountability and the interviewing process.
Top 5 Industries Hiring Right Now
5. Local and State, Excluding Education
Job Openings: 549,000
In November 2023, job openings in state and local government, excluding education, showed an increase, rising from 529,000 to 549,000. This shift of 20,000 job openings reflected a 3.8% growth. The job opening rate also witnessed a marginal rise, progressing from 5.3% to 5.5%. The adjusted data suggested a modest improvement in employment opportunities within state and local government sectors.
4. Retail Trade
Job Openings: 592,000
The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that the retail industry, as the largest private-sector employer in the US, supports over 52 million jobs, constituting more than one in four American jobs. With 4.2 million establishments, it contributes largely to the economy, generating a total GDP impact of $3.9 trillion. While the impact varies by state, this information is based on the PwC report, “The Economic Impact of the U.S. Retail Industry.”
3. Accommodation and Food Services
Job Openings: 979,000
The food service and hospitality industry, particularly accommodation and food services, faces significant challenges in retaining workers, with quit rates consistently above 4.5% since July 2021. Despite continuous hiring, the industry lost 837 thousand workers in September 2023. Leisure and hospitality have maintained a hiring rate between 6% to nearly 19% since November 2020, exceeding the national average.
2. Professional and Business Services
Job Openings: 1,609,000
In the Professional and Business Services superindustry, employment for all employees stood at 22,946,000 in December 2023, with 18,116,000 in production and nonsupervisory roles. The unemployment rate was 3.9%, while job openings, hires, and separations numbered 1,482,000, 894,000, and 930,000, respectively. Union membership showed a modest increase, with 2.3% of wage and salary workers being members and 3.0% represented by unions in 2023. Dynamic changes in employment revealed gross job gains of 1,475,000 and gross job losses of 1,422,000 in the first quarter of 2023. Average hourly earnings rose to $41.29, and average weekly hours remained stable at 36.4.
1. Healthcare and Social Assistance
Job Openings: 1,713,000
The health care and social assistance industry, which includes ambulatory health care services, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and social assistance, plays a pertinent role in the US economy. As of December 2023, the industry employs over 21.8 million people, with an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Notably, job openings stand at 1.62 million, reflecting the industry’s continuous demand for skilled workers. Home health aides, with 3.4 million employees, highlight that a major portion of the workforce is dedicated to patient care. In terms of earnings, the average hourly wage across the industry is $33.86. It is the top industry hiring right now.
Why Don't Executives Take Pay Cuts To Avoid Layoffs? An Ex-Microsoft HR VP Explains
With all the layoffs in the news we're seeing, there's always the question: Why don't the highly paid executives take a pay cut? Couldn't they trim their massive pay packages and save some jobs?
In my more than 40 years in business, including being the vice president of human resources for Microsoft, I've seen more than a few layoffs. This observation is a fair one. The executives in charge never seem to pay a price for the pain they cause, and here are several reasons.
Layoffs
Zoom
Zoom, the San Jose-based video conferencing software platform, cut about 150 jobs this week, according to a report in Bloomberg. The staff reduction amounts for less than 2% of Zoom’s total workforce, according to a source cited by Bloomberg.
The job cuts are not company-wide, according to the report. The company, which saw significant growth during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, will still be hiring in 2024, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, sales, and engineering, according to Bloomberg’s source, who asked not to be identified.
Okta
It was also reported Thursday that Okta Inc. would be eliminating 7% of its staff in order to reduce costs. A letter to employees from Okta CEO Todd McKinnon said the layoffs will impact 400 employees.
In the letter, McKinnon went on to call the layoffs “a proactive measure to help set the company up for long-term success.”
Okta is an identity management company based in San Francisco. Despite the layoffs, a notice on its website says the company is hiring.
How To Get A Job In Tough Times: All The Advice You Need To Succeed From A Top Executive Recruiter
There’s an old saying, “Tough times make tough people.” In this book, Jack Kelly will help guide you every step of the way in your job search to ensure that you stay strong, resilient and positive, and get that great, new job.
