Think of job classification more in terms of education, training, knowledge, responsibility, experience, and authority levels. Jobs are often classified into three markets or categories. Repetitive tasks on production lines are typical of unskilled labor. Upward mobility is possible but requires a company willing to train internally. Responsibility in unskilled jobs is usually restricted to meeting standards established by the company.
Pay can be minimum wage or higher.
Many skilled jobs require a great deal of responsibility, technical ability and knowledge. If you plan to enter the trades, study labor unions. In some states labor unions have gained a monopoly organizing the trade occupations. Knowledge of unions will also help you with the membership process when trying to get a job where unions are organized. While unions are experiencing an overall decline in the United States however, they usually still provide good pay and benefit packages.