A recent TikTok video has gone viral, showcasing a man’s “blue collar hands,” which tell the story of over 50 years of hard labor.
The video, shared by Raylissa Sandoval, features her 65-year-old grandfather, Raymond, whose hands are noticeably darker than the rest of him, a testament to his years of working in labor-intensive jobs.
In the clip, Raylissa reveals her shock at Raymond’s sun-soaked hands—worn and weathered from years spent digging, laying concrete, and flagging traffic. “He’s been at it since he was 17,” she shares, adding that he transitioned from farm work to a union job in his 30s.
@raylexxa/TikTok
While official statistics from the Bureau of Labor do not distinctly label jobs as “blue collar” or “white collar,” there’s a noticeable increase in demand for blue collar roles like construction and nursing. Meanwhile, fields such as marketing and software development have seen a decline in job postings since mid-2023.
Interestingly, Generation Z appears to be stepping back from pursuing blue collar careers. According to a report by the ADP Research Institute, the percentage of workers aged 20 to 24 in these roles rose from 2019 to 2022 but has since plateaued. Contributing factors include the rise of AI, job security concerns, and a greater desire for purpose and stability among younger workers.
The viral video captioned “Blue collar hands” has attracted over 2 million views, leaving many viewers in awe. TikTok users expressed their amazement, with one noting, “I thought he still had a long sleeve on,” and another reacting, “The way my jaw dropped.”
Raylissa mentions that she and her grandparents are loving the attention. “It’s fun to see how many people can relate or are just as surprised as I was,” she shared. “I’ve kept my grandparents updated on the views and comments, and they enjoy it as well.”