21 Photos of People Working Dirty Jobs

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 08/05/2024 in wow

Most jobs aren't cushiony white-collar affairs, but even among blue-collar professionals, not every job is created equal.

These 21 photos show frontline workers getting dirty in the toughest jobs so that the rest of us can spend our lives sharing memes on the internet. Here's to all the tough men and women getting it done in ways the rest of us couldn't even fathom.

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1.
Senior Airman Corey Barr gives a thumbs up during a job in a sewer at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 19, 2011.
2.
"I work at an activated carbon plant."
3.
“My 17-year-old's first day on the job.”
4.
Union sheet metal worker.
5.
Indian Sewage Worker on duty.
6.
Rig workers following an oil well blow out.
7.
“My dad is a NYC sanitation worker. He also takes pictures.”
8.
"Another photo from my dad."
9.
Oil rig workers throwing the chain.
10.
“Pic of a local firefighter after a bad fire.”
11.
A firefighter from Washington state after battling the wildfire.
12.
An Eastern Kentucky coal miner raced directly from his shift to take his son to a UK basketball game.
13.
Working on an oil field.
14.
Workers from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services using flamethrowers on an airboat in Delevan National Wildlife refuge.
15.
Worker at a Carbon Black Plant, 1942.
16.
A firefighter opening a gate with a saw while fending off fire at a convenience store during the Baltimore riots.
17.
When researchers want to most accurately test a horse's pH level, the “freshest” sample is required.
18.
Oil workers fixing a well during first gulf war.
19.
NY Fireman Tim Duffy rides into the city on his motorcycle on 9-11.
20.
Sewer inspectors have to trudge through tunnels of waste.
21.
Belgian coal miners riding up on an elevator after a day of work, 1920s.

1.
Senior Airman Corey Barr gives a thumbs up during a job in a sewer at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 19, 2011.
2.
"I work at an activated carbon plant."
3.
“My 17-year-old's first day on the job.”
4.
Union sheet metal worker.
5.
Indian Sewage Worker on duty.
6.
Rig workers following an oil well blow out.
7.
“My dad is a NYC sanitation worker. He also takes pictures.”
8.
"Another photo from my dad."
9.
Oil rig workers throwing the chain.
10.
“Pic of a local firefighter after a bad fire.”
11.
A firefighter from Washington state after battling the wildfire.
12.
An Eastern Kentucky coal miner raced directly from his shift to take his son to a UK basketball game.
13.
Working on an oil field.
14.
Workers from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services using flamethrowers on an airboat in Delevan National Wildlife refuge.
15.
Worker at a Carbon Black Plant, 1942.
16.
A firefighter opening a gate with a saw while fending off fire at a convenience store during the Baltimore riots.
17.
When researchers want to most accurately test a horse's pH level, the “freshest” sample is required.
18.
Oil workers fixing a well during first gulf war.
19.
NY Fireman Tim Duffy rides into the city on his motorcycle on 9-11.
20.
Sewer inspectors have to trudge through tunnels of waste.
21.
Belgian coal miners riding up on an elevator after a day of work, 1920s.