25 Core Values That Shape America’s Working Class

Have you ever asked yourself if you are part of the “working class”? Many people have thought about this, especially recently with all the money and job changes going on.

A recent Gallup poll shows that 35% of American adults say they are working class. That means millions of people see themselves in this group. But what does being working class really mean?

This post shares 25 signs that show if someone is working class. We will talk about jobs, schooling, health, and money problems.

What are the clues that show if someone grew up or lives as working class? Keep reading to find out how many fit your own life.

Multiple Jobs to Make Ends Meet

For many working-class people, a single job doesn’t bring in enough money to cover expenses. They often have to manage several part-time jobs or side work along with their main job.

This might include driving for a rideshare company, doing freelance work, or other ways to add income. Handling multiple jobs is tiring and leaves very little free time or a healthy balance between work and life.

Even so, it’s a needed trade-off to make sure bills get paid and basic needs are covered. The ongoing struggle is just a fact of life for the working class.

High School or Associate’s Degree

When it comes to educational backgrounds, working class people often max out at a high school diploma. While higher education is valued, pursuing a bachelor’s degree can be financially out of reach. 

This limited academic attainment frequently restricts job prospects to lower-paying positions. For others in the working class, an associate’s degree earned at a local community college may be the highest level of education achieved. 

Again, while a step above a high school diploma, this credential tends to qualify individuals for modest-income employment.

Vocational and Technical Training

A different way to build career skills is by joining vocational or technical training programs. People in working-class jobs tend to finish these kinds of certificates and hands-on classes to get ready for trades and special positions.

Even with this focused training, these jobs often pay less and have fewer chances to move up compared to careers needing higher school degrees.

The vocational path teaches useful skills needed for certain trades or jobs but usually has a limit on how much money you can earn.

Low to Mid-Range Income

The amount of money someone earns is often a major indicator of their class status. For the working class, incomes typically fall within the lower to middle range. Instead of an annual salary, they’re more likely to be paid by the hour. 

Based on 2024 data, the average working class individual earns around $1,522 per week or $38 per hour. This income level impacts their spending power and overall financial stability.

While this pay allows for a decent quality of life, it doesn’t necessarily provide luxuries or excessive disposable income. Carefully budgeting and prioritizing essential expenses becomes necessary to make ends meet on a working class income. 

Blue-Collar and Service Jobs

Another sign of working class status is the kind of job a person has. Many do manual labor, work in service jobs like shops or restaurants, or have clerical and office tasks.

These jobs are important for society to run well, but they usually do not need a regular four-year college degree. Instead, people often learn the skills while working or through special training programs.

Sadly, even though these jobs matter a lot, they often pay less and offer fewer chances to move up or get raises compared to white-collar jobs. Promotions and pay increases are often rare.

Limited Job Security 

Along with modest incomes, a lack of job security is common for the working class. They’re less likely to enjoy benefits like comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, or paid leave compared to those who are more affluent.

This lack of a safety net can create a constant sense of insecurity. They often worry about losing their job unexpectedly or having their hours cut with little notice. The fear of suddenly being unemployed without financial support is a significant concern.

As a result, job-related stress and worries about keeping a steady job are common for many in the working class.

Education Debt Burden

For working-class people who go to college, having large student loans is very hard because they usually earn less money. Paying back these loans over many years can take away a lot of extra money and savings.

The high price of this education often makes some wonder if it was a good choice, especially when the job and salary gains are small.

Paying off loans stays a heavy load for working-class borrowers, making it hard for them to have financial freedom later on.

Renting vs. Owning

The type of housing someone lives in often reflects their working class status. Rather than owning their residence, working class individuals frequently find themselves renting accommodations like apartments or modest single-family homes. 

These housing situations can limit personal financial growth and stability by preventing them from building home equity. Renting also leads to more temporary living conditions as leases expire or rent increases.

This instability adds to the overall uncertainty in other areas of working class life. There is little permanence or long-term security in their living arrangements. 

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Urban or Rural Living

The kind of housing, together with the area and neighborhood, can show hints about a person’s social class. Working class families often live in cities or small towns instead of rich suburbs. These places usually have fewer resources and services than richer areas.

Good schools and full healthcare might be missing in working class neighborhoods, and public services can be too busy. This limited access keeps problems going, making it hard for the working class to improve their situation.

Lower Home Ownership Rates

Home ownership rates are noticeably lower among the working class in comparison to middle and upper economic classes. The ability to buy property and start building equity is frequently out of reach financially speaking.

As a result, renting becomes the norm, a necessity to keep housing costs relatively low, even if it means sacrificing equity and stability. 

This constant renting affects long-term financial security and savings for working class families, making it harder to build wealth and plan for the future. 

Long Daily Commutes

Living in cheaper city or rural areas usually means long trips for workers to reach their jobs. They spend many hours every day riding buses, trains, or driving back and forth.

These long trips use up free time and make it tough to keep work and life in balance. Still, many workers accept this trade to get to their jobs.

This struggle shows the hard choices people face while trying to keep a steady job and deal with daily travel.

Affordable Leisure Activities

When it comes to leisure time and relaxation, working class individuals often prefer practical, community-focused activities. They lean towards affordable options such as attending local sports games, street fairs, or gathering with friends at nearby places. 

These choices not only provide entertainment but also strengthen community bonds. Shared experiences that unite people become a common norm.

Leisure for the working class is centered around making the most of limited funds while maximizing quality time. They prioritize simple pleasures that create lasting memories.

Limited Healthcare Access

A big problem for many working-class people is not having full access to healthcare. Without insurance from their job or enough money to pay for good plans, they often depend on public health services or have no insurance at all.

Because of this, they may delay important doctor visits and treatments. Without a steady healthcare backup, life gets harder for working-class people.

They deal with more stress and trouble taking care of their health, which can cause worse health issues as time goes on. 

Physical Demands of Work

Working class jobs often involve tasks that require a lot of physical effort. Many workers in these jobs spend their days doing hard manual labor, standing for long periods, or repeating the same movements over and over.

Continuous physical exertion increases the likelihood of developing chronic pain, injuries to muscles and bones, and overall physical weakness. 

Over time, workers may experience a decline in their overall physical health and a decrease in their quality of life.

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Financial Stress Impact

Besides physical effects, the mental health of workers also needs care. Money problems, fear of losing jobs, and heavy stress to survive on small pay cause more stress and worries.

These money struggles and job doubts can make mental health issues like sadness, drug use, and other mind problems worse.

They might struggle to pay for simple care like therapy or medicine, which are needed to handle these problems.

Mainstream Media Preferences

This practical mindset also influences how they consume media. Those from working class backgrounds tend to prefer mainstream media like popular TV shows, movies, and local news that feel familiar and relatable.

Niche or more intellectual content isn’t as appealing to them. Instead, they look for entertainment that mirrors their everyday lives and real-world interests.

Working class audiences seek content that entertains but also connects to their lived experiences and practical realities in an authentic way. 

Strong Local Community Ties

A close community is very important to the working class life. People build deep ties to the places where they live, work, and grow their families. Joining local activities, groups, and events gives them pride and a feeling of who they are.

This focus on community builds needed support for each other. When people love their hometown, they feel like they truly belong, no matter how much money they have.

These local bonds are key to working class life, giving them a steady place and a feeling of home.

Practical Clothing Choices 

The clothing choices of the working class often prioritize practicality over trends. They prefer to buy durable, affordable basics from discount stores and outlets to get the most value for their money.

This strategy allows them to stretch their budget while ensuring they get quality items for everyday use. Their mindset values functional clothing that lasts through daily challenges like manual labor and long commutes. 

Choosing timeless basics also means less frequent shopping and supports sustainable consumption habits. 

Budget-Conscious Diet

Eating habits also affect the health of the working class. Because they have less money, fresh and healthy foods are usually saved for special times.

Instead, they often eat many low-cost, processed foods, fast food, and other unhealthy choices that lack the nutrients their bodies need.

This type of eating not only lacks good nutrition but also raises the risk of problems like obesity, diabetes, and other long-term health problems tied to food.

Strong Work Ethic 

A defining trait of the working class mindset is an unwavering work ethic and belief in the value of an honest day’s labor. This mindset comes from the need to support oneself and one’s family through determination and self-reliance.

No task is seen as too hard, and no job is considered too small if it means providing food and necessities. For them, hard work is a source of pride and respect.

People in the working class take great pride in getting their hands dirty and doing whatever is necessary, even if it’s tough. 

Practical View on Education

Education is highly valued among the working class, but in real life, getting a job quickly often matters more than continuing school. When money is tight, going back to school is often put off.

The urgent need to earn money and take care of oneself or family is stronger than the possible benefits of a higher degree.

It makes more sense to choose steady jobs that don’t require borrowing a lot of money for school.

Limited Savings and Investments

Building up large savings or investment accounts is hard for many working-class people. Because most of their pay goes to daily bills, putting money aside for later can feel very tough.

Emergency savings, when there are any, tend to be small. Thinking about long-term money goals feels less important than just making it through each day. Saving for retirement or buying stocks usually seems like a far-off idea.

Instead, working-class people often use easier options like employer 401k plans, if they have them, or small personal savings accounts. They focus more on short-term money safety than on growing wealth for the future.

Economic-Focused Politics

Because of their money situations, it makes sense that working-class people usually back political candidates and rules that offer more job safety, help for workers, and steady money conditions. Their political decisions are mostly shaped by matters that directly impact their work and pay.

For working-class people, keeping wages, benefits, and workers’ rights safe matters most, often more than social or belief issues. In the end, their main aim is to keep a steady income to care for their families, and they value steady money above all else.

Complex Relationship with Wealth

The connection between the working class and societal wealth is quite complex. On one hand, many hope to improve their lives and become financially secure. Wealth represents a symbol of security and a better future.

But these dreams are often clouded by doubts that real wealth is only for the rich upper class. The challenges they face in moving up in society can make them feel skeptical towards wealthy people.

These conflicting feelings lead to different views on wealth within working class communities, shaping how people see success and opportunity.

Careful Spending Habits

The spending habits of the working class show careful handling of their limited money. They focus first on basic needs like rent, bills, food, and getting around before spending on extra things.

Every dollar is used with care to cover essentials before thinking about treats or luxury items. This careful way of managing money often means giving up vacations, new gadgets, or dining out.

Instead, the working class get good at finding smart ways to stretch their money. They regularly use coupons, special offers, and do-it-yourself fixes. Making the most of each paycheck is both important and necessary for them.

The Working Class Life

So now you know 25 signs that show what working class life in America is like today. It’s a life full of hard work, limited money, and strong community ties. If many of these things seem familiar, you likely belong to this hardworking group.

Remember, being working class is not only about your salary or job. It’s a way of living that shapes your daily life, struggles, and values.

Whether you are working class or just learning about it, I hope this list has helped you understand what it truly means to be part of this important group.

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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.