Indiana Leads U.S. in Blue-Collar Job Percentage
The state's workforce reaches 33.4% in blue-collar roles, the highest concentration in the nation.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Employment
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Indiana currently leads the nation in blue-collar employment, with these roles accounting for 33.4% of the state workforce. The findings, published in an October 2026 study by SmartAsset, highlight how the state's labor market composition compares to the rest of the U.S.
Why it matters
The concentration of blue-collar jobs in Indiana serves as a key indicator of the state's economic structure and demand for skilled trades. Understanding these workforce distributions helps residents identify which industries drive local employment opportunities and wage growth.
Indiana's blue-collar workforce is the highest in the U.S. at 33.4%, followed by Alabama at 32% and Wyoming at 31.9%.
The players
SmartAsset
A financial technology company that provides data-driven research on workforce and personal finance trends.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The federal agency that collects and analyzes data on the U.S. labor market, including occupational wage and employment statistics.
The details
The SmartAsset study classified occupations into four categories: blue-collar, white-collar, pink-collar, and gold-collar. In Indiana, white-collar roles make up 38.9% of jobs, while pink-collar positions account for 27.7%. Gold-collar roles represent 3.75% of the local workforce, trailing slightly behind the national average of 5.5%.
Timeline
The SmartAsset study was published in October 2026.
Money Landscape
This analysis builds on labor market data to define the current economic composition of states across the country. It provides a benchmark for how Indiana's specific job distribution stands within the broader national employment cycle.
The high prevalence of blue-collar roles in Indiana suggests a labor market where trade-based skills remain in high demand. Workers in these sectors may find local opportunities more abundant, though wage trends often fluctuate based on the specific industrial demand within each county.
The takeaway
Indiana maintains a distinct economic profile driven by its significant blue-collar labor sector. Residents should monitor local sector growth and discuss how these shifts impact long-term career planning with a qualified financial or career professional.
Further reading
For more on the state's labor trends, explore the Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox 59.
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