Prices and Wages by Decade: 1880-1889
Links to government documents and primary sources listing retail prices for products and services, as well as wages for common occupations.
Wages in the United States, 1880-1889
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WAGES -- GENERAL SOURCES
- Unskilled occupations - Average wages, 1840-1891Shows average daily wage earnings for a sample of laborers, yard hands, watchmen, teamsters, quarrymen, coal-heavers, helpers, unskilled factory operatives, without any geographic breakouts. Source: Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 13 (1905).
- Wages before and after labor strikes, 1881-1886Hundreds of pages document labor strikes taking place in the US from 1881-1886, showing wages paid before and after the strike. Tables arranged by state then locality and occupation. How to use this source -- Each table continues for a total of four book pages. Scroll forward to the third page of each table in order to find "AVERAGE DAILY WAGES" in the column headings.
- Military pension rates for veterans and dependents, 1883Shows monthly pension rates as of January 1883. Payments were based in part on the severity of the veteran's disability. Widows and surviving dependent parents and children could receive pensions as well. Confederate veterans were not eligible. Click "More..." for links to states.
Wages by occupation, 1880-1889
A
- Attorneys - Salaries, 1884
Shows salaries of federal district attorneys. Source: Register of the Department of Justice and the judicial officers of the U.S., 1885 ed. - Attorney's fees in Dakota Territory, 1881
The law stipulated how much an attorney might charge for winning a case. Source, p. 17
B
- Bakers - Wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin #499, p. 148.
- Blacksmiths and helpers - Average wages
- Boiler makers and helpers - Average wages
- Bookbinders - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 337.
- Brick layers - Average wages
C
- Cabinet makers
- Carpenters - Average wages
- Cigar makers - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 422-423.
- Compositors (printing industry)
- Congressional salaries
Historical chart shows that congressmen's salary was $5,000 per year in the 1880s. Source: Congressional Research Service. - Convict labor, 1886
Compares wage rates for convict labor to that for free labor available near the prisons, by state and by sex. Source: U.S. Commissioner of Labor, 2nd annual report. - Coopers - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 460-461.
D
- Dressmakers - Daily wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 219-220.
E
- Electricians (inside wiremen) - Wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 167.
- Engineers, locomotive - Wages by state in in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 438-439.
- Engineers, stationary - Wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 172-173.
Farm labor wages, 1880s
- Farm labor - Average hours per week and wages per day by state.
Source: U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 226. - Farm wages by state - 1880
This table is shown in a section of the book for wages on farms, and includes breakouts for blacksmiths, carpenters, machine makers, wheelwrights and shoemakers. Also breaks out wages for transient and non-transient workers, during harvest or not. - Farm wages by state - 1881
Same breakouts as above but also includes wage data for Indian Territory. - Farm labor wages by state - 1866-1892
Reported with and without board. Data for years: 1866, 1869, 1875, 1879, 1882, 1885, 1888, 1890, 1892. This book also contains an explanation of labor and wage conditions in the South following the Civil War. - Farm labor - Average wages by state, 1866-1909
Tables 11-13 on pages 29-31 show average wages with and without board. Table 17 shows average wages per day without board, and Table 18 shows the daily wages with board.
Section titled "Extras Received by Laborers" explains the prevalence and value of non-monetary benefits paid to farm laborers, such as the use of a house or dwelling and garden plot, firewood for heat, stable and pasture for the worker's horse or cow, laundry service, occasional use of a buggy or a team for hauling, and one meal per day, pp. 49-52. Starting on page 53, there is discussion of the purchasing power of farm wages over the years. - Farm labor wages in Missouri, 1866-1930
Shows average farm labor wage in Missouri with and without board, during harvest time or at other times. Source: Missouri State Dept of Agriculture. - Farm laborer monthly earnings, 1818-1948
Lists average monthly earnings with board, by geographic divisions. Data for years: 1818, 1826, 1830, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1909, 1919, 1929, 1940, 1948. Read the explanation and historical context for this table. - Farm labor wages - 1866-1922
In one simple table, this source shows the national average for daily and monthly wages of hired farm labor, with board or without, at harvest or at other times. Data available for years 1866, 1869, 1875, 1879, 1882, 1885, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1898, 1899, 1902, and each year from 1910-1922. - Farm wages in Vermont, 1780-1937
Table 26 shows daily and monthly wages with board for each year from 1780-1937. Source: Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station.
- Firemen, stationary - Wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 176.
- Glass blowers - Wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 233.
- Gold miners in Tombstone, AZ earned $4/day in 1884; source Serial Set #2546, pp. 36-39.
- Government salaries:
- Congressmen's salary. Source: Congressional Research Service.
- Federal officials and military officer salaries, 1888. Source: Daily News Almanac.
- State governor salaries, 1888. Source: People's year book.
- Hod carriers - Average wages
- Horseshoers' wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 293.
I
- Iron molders and helpers
Average wages in Wages in the U.S. and Europe, 1870-1898, p. 676. - Iron industry job wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 238-252.
J
- Joiners
Average wages in Wages in the U.S. and Europe, 1870-1898, p. 677. - Judicial salaries (federal), 1884
Lists salaries of federal circuit judges, district judges, supreme court justices, district attorneys, U.S. marshals, court clerks, and more. Source: Register of the Department of Justice and the judicial officers of the U.S., 1885 ed.
L
- Laborers, average wages...
- Labor (unspecified) wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 256-258.
- Unskilled labor wages - Shows average daily wage earnings for yard hands, watchmen, teamsters, quarrymen, coal-heavers, helpers, unskilled factory operatives, without any geographic breakouts. in Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 13, p. 365.
- Street labor wages in Wages in the U.S. and Europe, 1870-1898, p. 677.
- Other labor wages in Wages in the U.S. and Europe, 1870-1898, p. 678.
- Lasters - Wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 268.
- Longshoremen - Average wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 446.
- Machinists and helpers - Average wages
- Manufacturing job wages by state - early 1880s
Table extends from pp. 143-167. Children's wages by state on pp. 168-174. - Marble cutters wages
Source: U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 187-188. - Masons, stone - Average wages
- Millwrights - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 309.
- Mining, coal - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 328-332.
- Mining, iron - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 334.
- Mining - SEE ALSO "Wages in states and cities, 1880-1889" below.
- Molders, iron - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 313.
- Painters' wages
- House painters wages by city in Wages in the U.S. and Europe, 1870-1898, p. 680.
- Painters wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 197-198.
- Pattern makers, iron works
- Plasterers' wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 202-203.
- Plumbers - Average wages
- Potters - Wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 235.
- Printing industry - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499:
- Compositors, p. 349-351.
- Press feeders, p. 341.
- Pressmen, pp. 355-356.
- Proof readers, p. 345.
- Railroad employees
Railroad brakemen in Michigan made an average of $47.64 per month in 1885.- Average pay by job title and company, 1881
The state of Illinois required all RR companies operating in that state to report average pay given to employees by job title, such as civil engineers, clerks, flagmen, brakemen, passenger conductors, machinists, freight conductors, baggage men, firemen, station agents, telegraph operators, and more. - Average pay by company (not occupation) - 1880
Lists average monthly wage across all jobs. Some companies include Union Pacific; Chicago Burlington & Quincy; Baltimore & Ohio; Philadelphia & Reading, and more. - Railroad job wages BY CITY in Wages in the U.S. and Europe, 1870-1898.
- Conductors, p. 674
- Engineers, p. 674
- Firemen, p. 675
- Railroad job wages BY STATE in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499:
- Brakemen, pp. 430-431
- Conductors (passenger), p. 433
- Conductors (freight), p. 435
- Conductors (unspecified), p. 436
- Engineers, pp. 438-439
- Firemen, locomotive, p. 442
- Average pay by job title and company, 1881
- Sawyers - Average wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 465.
- Sewing machine operator wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 221.
- Shoemaker wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 262-265.
- Steamboat and towboat wages
This link leads to the beginning of a section in the 1880 U.S. Census for Transportation, where steamboat statistics are given by U.S. region (the link above leads to the section on New England states.) Read the section carefully to find average wages - it is provided for only some regions. Scroll forward to see additional riverboat regions such as Lower Mississippi, Northern Lakes or Pacific Coast. This source also lists wage rates paid to each type of worker on the boats: masters, mates, pilots, watchmen, engineer, stewards, steersmen, carpenters, deck hands, chambermaids, cabin crew, roustabouts etc. by river where the boat traveled. For example see wage rates on the Ohio River and Upper Missouri River. - Steel industry job wages by state in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 238-252.
- Stone cutters - Average wages
- Stone masons - Average wages
- Street laborers - Average wages in Wages in the U.S. and Europe, 1870-1898, p. 677.
- Streetcar conductors - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 444.
- Tanners' wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 272.
- Teachers' wages in Boston MA and other states, ca. 1880
- Teachers' monthly wages in Minnesota by county, 1883
- Teamsters' wages
- Textile industry occupations - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 363-421.
- Tobacco strippers - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 425-426.
- Unskilled laborers - Average wages in Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 13, p. 363.
- Woodworkers - Average wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 499, p. 469-470.
Wages by state, 1880-1889
WAGES in ALABAMA, 1880s
- Wages in selected occupations - Alabama, 1882-1886Shows wages and hours before and after labor strikes by occupation, industry and location. This table spans four pages; wages are on the 3rd page. Source: U.S. Congressional Serial Set no. 2546, pp. 36-39.
WAGES in ARKANSAS, 1880s
- Wages in selected occupations - Arkansas, 1881-1886Shows wages and hours before and after labor strikes by occupation and sex, industry and location. This table spans four pages; wages are on the 3rd page. Source: U.S. Congressional Serial Set no. 2546, pp. 40-43.
WAGES in ARIZONA, 1880s
- Gold miner wages - Arizona, 1884Gold miners in Tombstone, Arizona struck to avoid reducing their pay of $4 per day. They worked 10-hour days. This table spans four pages; wages are on the 3rd page. Source: U.S. Congressional Serial Set no. 2546, pp. 36-39.
WAGES in CALIFORNIA, 1880s
- California wages by occupation, ca. 1883This chapter in California's first Bureau of Labor Statistics report (covering the years 1883-1884) shows average wages for hundreds of occupations. Tables extend from pages 211-233.
- California wages, 1850s-1902This index to California state government publications shows where one can find wages for various occupations such as teachers (1850s-1880s), railroad employees (1870s-1880s), farm workers (1890s), miners and lumbermen (1902), sailors (1904) and more. If you need assistance tracking down publications listed in this source, do not hesitate to contact us.
- Railroad employee wages - California, 1887Shows various wage rates of 9 different railroad occupations in California. These rates are computed at Chicago and northwestern rates. Source: Annual report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners 1888, pg. 42
- Wages of striking employees - California, 1880sShows wages and hours by occupation and sex, industry and location. Each table spans four pages. Scroll backwards two pages to see the start of the table, and all column headings. Source: Serial Set 2546.
WAGES in COLORADO, 1880s
- Wages -Colorado, 1887Shows the average wages of people by occupation both in and outside of Denver within the state of Colorado. Also includes average hours worked per day. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics of Colorado
- Wages of striking employees - Colorado, 1881-1883Shows wages and hours by industry, occupation and location, before and after labor strikes. This table spans four pages. Scroll backward 2 pages to see start of table and all column headings. Jump forward a few pages to see data for 1883-1886. Source: U.S. Congressional Serial Set no. 2546, pp. 48-51.
WAGES in CONNECTICUT, 1880s
- Average annual earnings by occupation in Connecticut, 1887Source: Connecticut BLS 4th Ann, Rpt,, pp. 48-70. See also "Monthly reports of wage earners," starting on p. 99.
- City government salaries - New Haven CT, 1873-1921This series of Municipal Year Books from New Haven, show salaries for police, firemen, school teachers, principals, building inspectors, clerks and other jobs in city government.
- Wages of striking employees - Connecticut, 1880sShows wages and hours by occupation and sex, industry and location. Each table spans four pages. Scroll backwards two pages to see the start of the table, and all column headings. Source: Congressional Serial Set 2546.
WAGES in DAKOTA TERRITORY, 1880s
- Wages in Dakota Territory, 1881-1883Shows average daily wages for steamboat laborers, coal miners, quarry workers, waitresses, and compositors. Source: Congressional Serial Set #2546.
- Wages in Dakota Territory, 1883-1886Wages for steamboat laborers, stonecutters, compositors and cigar makers. Source: Congressional Serial Set #2546.
- Attorney fees in Dakota Territory, 1881The law stipulated how much an attorney might charge for winning a case. Source: Laws passed at the 14th session of the General Assembly, Territory of Dakota (1881), p. 17.
WAGES in the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 1880s
- Wages by occupation - District of Columbia, 1880sShows wages and hours by occupation and sex, industry and location. Each table spans four pages. Scroll backwards two pages to see the start of each table, and all column headings. Source: Congressional Serial Set #2546.
WAGES in DELAWARE, 1880s
- Teacher salaries - Delaware, 1879-1884Source: 9th annual report, Delaware Superintendent of Free Schools (1885), p. 68.
- Wages for selected occupations - Delaware, 1881-1886Shows wages and hours by occupation, sex and location before and after labor strikes. Each table spans four pages; wages appear on the 3rd page. Source: Serial Set 2546.
WAGES in FLORIDA, 1880s
- Wages in selected occupations - Florida, 1883-1886Shows wages before and after strikes for stevedores, cigar makers and compositors in Jacksonville, Key West and Pensacola. Source: U.S. Congressional Serial Set #2546.
WAGES in GEORGIA, 1880s
- Wages in selected occupations - Georgia, 1881-1886Shows wages for males and female workers by location, before and after labor strikes. This table spans four pages; wages are shown on the 3rd page. Source: Serial Set #2546.
WAGES in ILLINOIS, 1880s
- Farm hand wages - Illinois, 1880-1904For each year, this source shows the average wages paid to farm hands with or without board. Source: Statistical report of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture for 1904, p. 9.
- Earnings by industries - 1884, Illinois and MassachusettsThis table shows and compares daily and yearly earnings for 37 different industries between Illinois and Massachusetts. An average across all shown industries is also provided. Source: 3rd Biennial Report of the BLS of Illinois, pg. 128
- Wages for selected occupations - Illinois, 1881-1886Shows wages by location, occupation and sex, before and after labor strikes. Each table listed below spans four pages and wages appear on the 3rd of the four pages. Location and hours are on adjacent pages. Source: U.S. Commissioner of Labor 3rd annual report (1887).
- 1881 - Brick makers, coopers, machine shop and metal workers, miners
- 1881 - Miners (cont'd.), ship builders, stone cutters, tobacco workers, more
- 1881-1882 - Watch makers, detectives, horse shoes, more
- 1882 - (cont'd.) - Miners, stone cutters, wharf hands, more
- 1883 - Building trades, tailors, more
- 1883-1884 - Telegraph linemen, cigar makers, more
- 1884-1885 - Gas fitters, coal miners, wharf hands, more
- 1885 (cont'd.) - Coopers, miners, boilermakers, more
- 1885 (cont'd.) - Cigar makers, ice cutters, RR engineers, box makers, more
- 1886 - Bicycle factory workers, plumbers, tailors, more
- 1886 (cont'd.) - Makers of furniture and billiard tables, more
- 1886 (cont'd.) - Iron and brass foundry workers, coppersmiths, more
- 1886 (cont'd.) - Coal miners, iron bridge builders, more
- 1886 (cont'd.) - Public works construction, quarrymen, etc.
- 1886 (cont'd.) - Railroad freight handlers, switchmen, wharf men, more
- 1886 (cont'd.) - Musical instrument factories, wood planing mills, more
WAGES in INDIANA, 1880s
WAGES in IOWA, 1880s
WAGES in KANSAS, 1880s
- Kansas - Wages, 1887-1888This report shows extensive wage data by cities and counties, industries, and broken out by men, women and child laborers. Tables extend for many pages. See manufacturing wages, wages for jobs associated with flour mills and wages for jobs with the railroads, broken out by occupation and by the RR company. In addition, there is an extensive section showing wages for a wide variety of occupations in 14 Kansas towns and cities, along with a detailed report of retail prices and monthly household expenditures on food, rent, fuel, clothing, sickness and other categories.
WAGES in KENTUCKY, 1880s
- Wages in manufacturing - Louisville KY, 1880This table also shows numbers of employees in each occupation by sex, so it is possible to see the average daily wages for woman-dominated vs. male-dominated jobs. Source: Kentucky Bureau of Agriculture, Horticulture and Statistics annual report for 1881, pp. 339-342.
- Wages by occupation - Kentucky, 1881-1886Shows wages by location, occupation and sex, before and after labor strikes. Each table spans four book pages. See data for 1883-1886 on p. 206. Source: U.S. Commissioner of Labor, 3rd annual report (1887).
WAGES in LOUISIANA, 1880s
- Wages by occupation - Louisiana, 1881-1886Shows wages by location, occupation and sex, before and after labor strikes. Each table spans four book pages. Data for 1884-1886 is on p. 214. Source: U.S. Commissioner of Labor, 3rd annual report (1887).
WAGES in MASSACHUSETTS, 1880s
- Massachusetts (Boston) - Women's wages by occupationWorking Girls of Boston gives women's wages in Boston, in Massachusetts, in other states and (where data is available) in European countries for the time around 1883. See extensive data on pages 76-102. Of those in Boston, the average age of these workers was 25. Most were single (89%) and most lived with parents or other family (69%) and their average pay overall was $4.91 per week. Also gives fascinating detail on working conditions for many occupations, see chapter beginning on page 58.
- Massachusetts - Wages by occupation, 1860-1897Average weekly wages by occupation in 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881 and 1897. Source: Mass. Bureau of Statistics of Labor 28th Annual report, pp. 4-12.
- Wages by occupation and country, 1870-1898Shows the comparative daily wages for workers in 18 different occupations in Boston, London, Paris, Liege, and other locations throughout the US and UK. Source: Massachusetts Labor Bulletin no. 9 pp. 1-3
- Earnings by industries - 1884, Illinois and MassachusettsThis table shows and compares daily and yearly earnings for 37 different industries between Illinois and Massachusetts. An average across all shown industries is also provided. Source: 3rd Biennial Report of the BLS of Illinois
- Wages before and after labor strikes - Mass., 1881-1886Shows wages by location, occupation and sex, before and after labor strikes. Each table spans four book pages. Source: U.S. Commissioner of Labor, 3rd annual report (1887).
- 1881-1882 - Miscellaneous occupations
- 1882-1883 - Miscellaneous occupations
- 1883-1884 - Miscellaneous occupations
- 1884-1885 - Miscellaneous occupations
- 1885-1886 - Miscellaneous occupations
- 1886 - Shoemakers, building trades (carpenters, etc.), tailors and more
- 1886 - Bakers, furniture makers, machinists, factory workers and more
- 1886 - Cigarmakers, teamsters, weavers, telegraph messengers and more
WAGES in MARYLAND, 1880s
- Wages by occupation - Maryland, 1881-1886Shows wages by location, occupation and sex, before and after labor strikes. Each table spans four book pages. See data for 1883-1886 on p. 226. Source: U.S. Commissioner of Labor, 3rd annual report (1887).
WAGES in MAINE, 1880s
- Maine wages, early 1880sDaily wages for hundreds of occupations listed.
- Wages by occupation - Maine, 1881-1886Shows wages by location, occupation and sex, before and after labor strikes. Each table spans four book pages. See data for 1883-1886 on p. 218. Source: U.S. Commissioner of Labor, 3rd annual report (1887).
- Wages by industry and gender - Maine, 1882-1883The second table on page 178 shows the average daily wages for unskilled and unskilled workers in 11 leading industries for both men and women. Source: Maine Secretary of State
- Wages of leading industries - Maine, 1882-1883Pages 161-170 shows the average daily wages in cotton manufacturing, woolen manufacturing, the ice business, and shipbuilding in various Maine cities. Wages are divided by skill and sex (for most industries). Source: Maine Secretary of State
WAGES in MICHIGAN, 1880s
- Michigan railway employee wages, 1885Wage reports from payroll data of 24 railroads operating in Michigan, furnished by the Bureau of Labor in 1885. Shows wages for railway agents, baggagemen, boiler makers, blacksmiths, brakemen, carpenters, car oilers and inspectors, cashiers, clerks, civil engineers, coal heavers, conductors, dining car waiters and cooks, porters, depot police, railroad engineers for freight and passenger trains, firemen, dispatchers, foremen, mail carriers and many more.Brakemen in MI made an average of $47.64 per month in 1885.
WAGES in MINNESOTA, 1880s
WAGES in MISSOURI, 1880s
- Laborer wages in Missouri, 1889
- Shows the average daily wages of miners, blacksmiths, engineers, mine bosses, carpenters, and other laborers in Missouri. The data is done by county in 1889 and shows how many hours a day people worked in each county. Source: 11th Annual Report of Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of Missouri, p. 266
- Farm labor wages, 1866-1920
- Miners wages by Missouri county in 1889
- Coal miners, pp. 267-272
- Lead and zinc miners, pp. 274-280
WAGES in NEW JERSEY, 1880s
- Wages by occupation and industry - New Jersey, 1882Pages 9-12 shows the typical range of wages for different positions and occupations in 16 different manufacturing industries in 1882 across New Jersey. Source: 5th NJ Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries, pp. 9-12
- Iron mining wages - New Jersey, 1858-1884This table shows the wage statements for miners of the Glendon Iron Company located over a 26 year period in the 19th century. The statement was provided by Hon. George Richards of Dover, NJ. Source: 8th NJ Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries, pg. 292
WAGES in NEW YORK, 1880s
- New York wages by occupation, 1888Remarkably detailed report shows wages for hundreds of industries and occupations in New York City. Some entries indicate the wage was for children (boys or girls) or for women workers. Very occasionally there is an entry for "colored" workers. For example the chapter on Hotels and Restaurants shows wages for each of these (colored bellmen, cleaning women, store-room girls and elevator boys). Use the Table of Contents to find a chapter and then use the "Jump to ... page" box in HathiTrust.
- New York - Wages by occupation, 1883-1903Pages 451-452 shows the prevailing daily wage rates for various occupations in the building industry as well as in paving and stone cutting. These wages are collected exclusively in the Manhattan borough (source).
WAGES in OHIO, 1880s
- Manufacturing wages by occupation - Ohio, 1882Shows the average daily wages for a variety of Ohio industries. Source: Ohio Secretary of State report, pp. 696-704
WAGES in PENNSYLVANIA, 1880s
- Pennsylvania wages, 1875-1883Many occupations listed. Tables extend from pages 99-105 in this source.
- Pennsylvanian iron and steel wages, 1887Shows the average hourly rates, daily wages, and total earnings on pg. C11. Pages C9 - 10 shows this data across each month of 1887. Source: Bureau of Industrial Statistics of Pennsylvania
- Earnings of coal mine workers - Pennsylvania, 1880Shows both the daily and yearly earnings for multiple occupations in coal mines. Found in pages 202-203 Source: Bureau of Industrial Statistics of Pennsylvania.
- Earnings by industry in Pennsylvania, 1880Shows both average daily and yearly earnings as well as the number of days worked. Occupations include miners, blacksmiths, clerks, and more. Shown on pages 204-205. Source: Bureau of Industrial Statistics of Pennsylvania.
- Average daily wages - Pennsylvania, 1875-1881Shows wages for coal mining, blast furnace, and bloomary occupations. Source: Pennsylvania Secretary of Internal Affairs
WAGES in RHODE ISLAND, 1880s
- Teacher wages by sex and town - Rhode Island, 1880Source: Rhode Island Board of Education, 11th annual report (1881), p. 136.
- Teacher wages by sex and town - Rhode Island, 1889Source: Rhode Island Board of Education, 20th annual report (1890), p. 124.
WAGES in TEXAS, 1880s
- Texas school personnel salaries (white only), 1872-1953Chart shows annual salaries for all school personnel in Texas without breakouts for occupation, years of training, years of experience, etc.
WAGES in VERMONT, 1880s
- Railroad wages by company - Vermont, 1889Shows the daily compensation of various railroad occupations for 10 different railroad companies in Vermont, as well as the average compensation across those companies. Source: 2nd Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners, pp. 21-22
- Building trades - Wages in local areas, 1881The trade journal Carpentry and Building shows the wages made by carpenters, masons and painters in various cities and states.
- July 1881, pp. 131-132.
- August 1881, p. 149
- May 1884, p. 99.
- Index of wages reported by bureaus of labor statistics, 1870-1900This is an index to topics covered in all labor statistics bureaus, both state and federal and even some foreign countries. There are ten pages of entries under "Wages" listing wages shown in state and federal reports. Find report abbreviations spelled out here. The strategy for using this source is to identify a report you want to track down and then look for it in Hathi Trust's online digital library. Contact us if you would like assistance with this.
Wages by country, 1880-1889
Wages in AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND, 1880s
- Wages in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania - 1880This emigrant's guide provides significant detail on retail prices, wages by occupations, cost to rent houses, and more. Jump to section for Tasmania, New Zealand, western Australia on pages 66-67, Queensland on pages 64-65, south Australia on pages 54-61, Victoria, Sydney Australia on pages 42-46. Includes a currency comparison table for Canandian, English and American money. Emigrant's guide published in London.
- Australia, Melbourne - Wages, 1883 and 1888Wages expressed in pounds, shillings and pence for agricultural laborers, shepherds, masons, bricklayers, carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks, grooms, gardeners, laundresses, maids, nursemaids, household servants, ocean seamen, watchmakers, jewelers, tinsmiths, ironworkers, plumbers, gasfitters, carriage makers, painters, saddlers, workers on boats, ship carpenters, cabinet makers, coopers, tailors, milliners, dressmakers, boot makers, hatters, carpet salesmen, butchers, bakers, teamsters, tanners, brickmakers, miners, engineers, legal managers in mining industry, and more.
- Wages in Austria, 1886Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, p. 99.
WAGES in BELGIUM, 1880s
- Liege, Belgium - Wages by occupation, 1870-1896Shows wages for plumbers, teamsters, masons, blacksmiths and more. Table spans pages 683-693 of source.
Wages in CANADA, 1880s
- Canada - Ontario wages by province, early 1880sMany prices are provided as well in this emigrant's guide.
- Canada wages and prices, ca. 1885Data on prices and wages in Canada extends from page 1-115 in this U.S. Consular Report published 1885.
- Canada wages by occupation and province, 1883Expressed in pounds, shillings and pence. Source: Furniture dealers and cabinet makers' guide, May 23, 1883, pp. 4-5.
Wages in FRANCE, 1880s
- France, Lyons - Wages, 1870 to 1896Lists wages for occupations such as blacksmiths, bricklayers, cabinet makers, carpenters, street laborers, machinists, house painters, stone cutters, teamsters, and more. Source: U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 22, published May 1899.
- Wages by occupation and country, 1870-1898Shows the comparative daily wages for workers in 18 different occupations in Boston, London, Paris, Liege, and other locations throughout the US and UK. Source: Massachusetts Labor Bulletin no. 9 pp. 1-3
Wages in GERMANY, 1880s
- Detailed wages and cost of living in Germany, early 1880sDetailed wages for Germany are reported in this U.S. Consular report, published 1885. The data is printed on pages 195-586.
- Germany - Wages, 1880sData and discussion are provided in the "Wages" entry in the Encyclopedia Brittanica, 10th edition, vol. 33, p. 724-726 (source). The section on Germany begins on page 725 in the right column.
- Railroad wages by country, 1886-1889Shows the average wages per annum for 8 railroad occupations in four different countries. Wages for the UK and the US (as well as New England) are from 1889. Wages for Prussia and Germany span from `886-1887. Source: 23 A.R. Board of Railroad Commissioners, pg. 81
Wages in HUNGARY, 1880s
- Railroad wages by country, 1886-1889Shows the average wages per annum for 8 railroad occupations in four different countries. Wages for the UK and the US (as well as New England) are from 1889. Wages for Prussia and Germany span from `886-1887. Source: 23 A.R. Board of Railroad Commissioners, pg. 81
Wages in INDIA, 1880s
- India - Wages by place and occupation, 1873-1890Shows wages in rupees by provinces and districts for every year from 1873-1890 for occupations such as agricultural laborer, mason, carpenter, horse-keeper and blacksmith. Scroll forward or back to see more; this table extends from pages 85-136.
Click on IRELAND tab below.
Wages in ITALY, 1880s
- Italy - Prices and wage earnings by occupation, 1885Shows daily wages for shepherds, lady's maids, soldiers, stone cutters, cooks, tailors, glassmakers, weavers, and more. On the same page, see a table showing retail prices for common items.
- Wages in Italy, 1886Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, pp. 110
- Wages in the Netherlands, 1884Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, p. 54.
Click on SCOTLAND tab below.
Wages in SWEDEN, 1880s
- Sweden - Farming wages for male and female workers, 1866-1900Shows average yearly salaries (besides room and board) for servants, the value of tenement laborers entire pay (including wages and provisions), summer and winter wages per day, and the wages earned in 300 days in Sweden for the years 1866-1900. Figures shown are in Kronor, but conversion rates for shillings and dollars are included. Source: Sweden: its people and its industry; historical and statistical handbook published by order of the government, Stockholm, 1904.
- Wages in Switzerland, 1885Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, p. 106.
See box below.
Sources showing wages in MULTIPLE COUNTRIES
- Wages by country and occupation, 1870s-1880sShows average wage for occupations starting with the the letters H through O, by date and American state or foreign country, including Canada, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, Russia, Australia, Argentine Republic, New Zealand and countries in Europe.
- Wages and cost of living in European countries, ca. 1885Provides extraordinary detail. Extensive chapter on each country with both numeric tables and description of job conditions, manner of living, social conditions, etc. for men, women and children. Source: U.S. consular report, 1885.
- Wages by occupation in Europe, ca. 1885Compares wages in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, France, England and Belgium for shepherds, boot-makers, painters and paper-hangers, bakers, tailors, watch makers, tinsmiths, plumbers, paper-mill hands and about 20 additional occupations.
- Wages in European cities, 1870-1896Lists average daily wages by occupation in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Paris and Liege (Belgium) for each year from 1870-1896.
- Earnings and expenses of wage earners in Europe, ca. 1885.Spotlights individual workers and families that might be considered typical; it does not give overall averages. See start pages for the sections on Belgium, England, Germany, and Switzerland. Various occupations include music box makers, miners, and dock workers.
- Wages and cost of living around the world, ca. 1885Extensive data for Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Polynesian islands. Source: 1985 U.S. Consular report.
- Relation between wages and food expenditures in 8 countries, mid 1880sShows average earnings in eight countries and what portion of those earnings typically went for food. Covers Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, USA and Australia. Source: Mulhill's Dictionary of Statistics, p. 464.
United Kingdom wages, 1880-1889
- United Kingdom - Wages, 1810-1886Extensive, 437-page government report indicates detailed wages by occupation in many locations throughout the UK. Wages are reported in British currency.
- United Kingdom - Average wages for laboring classes, 1886 and 1891Tells wages for men, women, boys and girls by occupation on pages 396-403.
- Great Britain - Average wages by occupation, age and sex - 1886 and 1891The tables in this book spread across two pages each. From pages 81-87, there are separate tables for men, women, boys and girls, showing average wages by occupation. Beginning on page 88, see tables divided by occupation and further broken out by worker age and sex. Under the heading Police, there are wages for inspectors, constables and sergeants. Page 102 shows an 1891 wage chart for each of the building trades such as carpenters, masons, plumbers, painters, etc. See title page for this source.
- Wages - Great Britain, 1883Shows wages for men, women and children, as well as average weekly working hours. This is part of a larger section titled "Wages, prices and comparative cost of living, Massachusetts and Great Britain, 1860-1883," pp. 208-221. See start page of this section for context.
- British cities - Wages by occupation, 1870-1896Shows wages in London, Manchester and Glasgow for occupations such as plumbers, teamsters, masons, blacksmiths and more. Table spans pages 683-693 of source.
- Coal miner wages - England, 1884Shows the average weekly wages of 15 different occupations in English coal mines. Source: Pennsylvania Secretary of Internal Affairs
- Wages in the United KingdomSource: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, p. 18-25.
- Railroad wages by country, 1886-1889Shows the average wages per annum for 8 railroad occupations in four different countries. Wages for the UK and the US (as well as New England) are from 1889. Wages for Prussia and Germany span from `886-1887. Source: 23 A.R. Board of Railroad Commissioners, pg. 81
- Average earnings per worker - England & Wales, 1887Compares to earnings to Scotland, Ireland and the UK as a whole. Source, p. 6.
- Wages by industry - England, 1884Shows average wage paid to professional, domestic, commercial, agricultural, and industrial workers for 1867 and 1887, p. 4. Average earnings by sex and age on p. 5 (source).
- Wages and cost of living - England, early 1880sVery detailed wage and cost of living data in the 1885 U.S. Consular report, pp. 587-882.
- Working class wages by occupation - England, early 1880sSource: Wages and earnings of the working classes by Leone Levi. Occupations include: British Army, British Navy, builders, candle makers, chocolatiers, clothing manufacturing, coal miners, cotton workers, dockyard workers, domestic servants by rank, linen manufacturing, police officers, post carriers, printers, ship workers, spinners and weavers, spirits and beer brewers, soap makers, teachers, textile manufacturing, and watchmakers.
- General trade wages in England and Wales, 1884Shows weekly wages for bakers, blacksmiths, cigar-makers, distillers, millers, and many more. Wages are expressed in American dollars. Source: U.S. Consular report, p. 946.
- Wages by occupation - London and Manchester, 1870-1896Wages for plumbers, teamsters, masons, blacksmiths and more in source, pp. 683-693.
- Farm wages - England & Wales, 1850-1899Shows average weekly cash wages of ordinary labor on 33 farms throughout England and Wales (source).
- General trade wages in England and Wales, 1884Shows weekly wages for bakers, blacksmiths, cigar-makers, distillers, millers, and many more. Wages are expressed in American dollars. Source: U.S. Consular report, p. 946.
- Women's wages - WalesShows wages paid to female workers in bookbinding, as household servants, and as shopkeepers. Wages expressed in U.S. dollars. Source, p. 920.
- Wage by occupation - Cardiff Wales, 1884Table shows the daily and weekly wages paid to workers in Cardiff compared to their rate in 1878. Trades include bricklayers, shipsmiths, coopers, firemen, dock-laborers, plumbers, masons, and more. Source, p. 899. Wages are listed in United States dollars.
- Seamen's wages - Cardiff Wales, 1884From a consul report and shows the wages of seamen working from Cardiff, Wales. Wages are sorted by rank and by either steam or sail vessels. Source, p. 903.
- Printing wages - Cardiff Wales, 1884Amounts expressed in U.S. dollars. Source, p. 917.
- Wages by occupation - Cardiff Wales, 1884Occupations include carpenter, rope-maker, agricultural worker, water-works employee, police officer and more. Source, p. 924.
- Farm wages - Wales & England, 1850-1899Shows average weekly cash wages of ordinary labor on 33 farms in England and Wales (source).
- Average worker earnings - Scotland, 1887Compares earnings to England & Wales, Ireland and the UK as a whole. Source, p. 6.
- Wages by occupation and sex - Scotland, ca. 1883Shows wages for men and women farm laborers and for female domestic servants. Scroll forward to page 257 to see wages for 27 additional occupations, including all the building trades plus blacksmiths, bakers, bookbinders, coopers, cutlers, engravers, horse shoers, millwrights, printers, saddlers and harness makers, sail makers, tinsmiths, tailors, brass founders and laborers, porters, etc. Compares wages for the same occupations in New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
- Laborer wages in Scotland, 1884Lists wages based on a fifty-six hour work week in various industries. For specific industries see: General trades, factories and mills, railways and ship-yards, seamen, shop workers, household servants, agriculture, and government workers. More industries are represented within the tables.Source, pp. 948-953.
- Women's labor and wages - Scotland, 1883Discusses history of women's labor in Scotland up to 1883, and shows their average wages expressed in U.S. dollars. Source, p. 971.
- Wages by occupation - Glasgow, 1884See occupational wages for what was generally a 51-hour work week: builders, bookbinding, brewers, cigar-making, coopers, distillers, teachers, men and women in factories, foundries and machine shops, glass works, mining, and in shops, p. 973-977.
- Wages by occupation - Glasgow, 1870-1896Shows wages for plumbers, teamsters, masons, blacksmiths and more. Table spans pages 683-693 of source.
- Agricultural laborer wages in Ireland, 1884Wages for agricultural laborers ranged from 8s to 9s a week, and 9 to 10s a week in Limerick. Part of a larger section on agricultural wages across the United Kingdom. p. 92
- Average worker earnings - Ireland, 1887Compares earnings to England & Wales, Scotland and the UK as a whole. Source, p. 6.
- Women's labor in Ireland, 1883Discusses wages, roles, and education of Irish women and children workers. Source, p. 1007.
- Wages by occupation and sex in Ireland, ca. 1883Compares wages for male and female farm labor and female domestic service in Ireland as compared to England, Scotland and California, USA. Also compares wages paid in Ireland that that in three American cities (New York City, Chicago and San Francisco) for the building trades: bricklayers, masons, carpenters, gasfitters, painters, plasterers and plumbers.
International wages by occupation (A-Z), then country - 1880s
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Boat builders (1866-1897)
- Boatmen (1854-1898)
- >Boatswains (1870-1900)
- <Bobbin boys (1833-1896)
- Boiler makers (1839-1900)
- Boiler maker foremen (1844-1898)
- Boilermen (1840-1897)
- Book bindery occupations:
- Bookbinders (1839-1900)
- Bookbindery cutters (1852-1892)
- Bookbindery finishers (1856-1900)
- Bookbindery foremen, not-specified (1840-1898)
- Bookbindery forewomen, not-specified (1870-1897)
- Bookbindery sewers (1856-1900)
- Bookkeepers (1855-1899)
- Boot and shoe making occupations:
- Bottlers (1874-1900)
- Box nailers (1851-1896)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Brass finishers (1839=1898)
- Brass founders (1839-1899)
- Brass molders (1839-1900)
- Brass workers (1845-1898)
- Brewers (1840-1898)
- Brewery drivers (1855-1900)
- Brewery foremen, not-specified (1857-1898)
- Brick makers (1840-1898)
- Bricklayers (1725-1900)
- Bricklayer foremen (1859-1896)
- Bridge builders (1875-1898)
- Broom makers (1872-1898)
- Brush makers (1860-1900)
- Butchers (1839-1899)
- Butlers (1873-1898)
- Button sewers, clothing (1880-1896)
- Buttonhole makers, clothing (1872-1899)
- Button cutters (1830-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Cabinet makers (1810-1900)
- Cabinet makers foremen (1873-1898)
- Cabs, carriages, etc drives (1871-1898)
- Calkers (1856-1897)
- Candle makers (1852-1897)
- Candy making
- Canned goods packers (1851-1898)
- Card grinders (1832-1900)
- Card strippers (1839-1896)
- Carpenters and joiners (1735-1900)
- Carpenter foremen (1854-1900)
- Carpeting weavers (1845-1899)
- Car Repairers (1860-1900)
- Carriage and wagon making
- Cash boys and cash girls (1871-1899)
- Cashiers (1850-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state, and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Clay and pottery product manufacture
- Clerks (1843-1899)
- Cloak makers (1863-1898)
- Clock makers (1872-1893)
- Clothing manufacture
- Cloth inspectors (1850-1896)
- Coat makers (1839-1898)
- Corset makers (1835-1899)
- Cutters (1840-1900)
- Dressmakers (1851-1898)
- Examiners (1855-1898)
- Finishers (1874-1898)
- Folders (1881-1898)
- Foremen, not-specified (1871-1898)
- Forewomen, not-specified (1870-1898)
- Pants makers (1839-1898)
- Pressers (1870-1900)
- Seamstresses (1836-1898)
- Sewing machine operators (1861-1900)
- Shirt makers (1860-1898)
- Tailors (1725-1898)
- Vest makers (1853-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Coach makers (1821-1899)
- Coachmen (1869-1898)
- Coal occupations
- Coffee and spice grinders (1861-1898)
- Coffee roasters (1869-1896)
- Coffin and casket makers (1859-1897)
- Collectors (1857-1896)
- Comb makers (1850-1898)
- Compositors (1833-1900)
- Compositors foremen (1846-1898)
- Cooks (1852-1899)
- Coopers (1725-1900)
- Coopers foremen (1870-1898)
- Copper engravers (1839-1896)
- Coppersmiths (1821-1899)
- Core makers (1840-1900)
- Cranemen (1872-1899)
- Cutlers (1840-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Dairy hands (1768-1898)
- Delivery wagon drivers (1841-1899)
- Dishwashers (1872-1896)
- Distillers (1840-1899)
- Dock hands (1815-1899)
- Doffers (1839-1900)
- Door, slash, and blind makers (1839-1898)
- Draftsmen (1848-1899)
- Drawing-frame tenders (1833-1899)
- Draymen (1850-1898)
- Dressmakers (1851-1898)
- Drugs and chemicals foremen (1840-1898)
- Drugs and chemicals packers (1863-1897)
- Dyeing-room hands (1845-1896)
- Dyers foremen (1839-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Electricians (1878-1900)
- Electrotypers (1867-1900)
- Elevator hands (1864-1897)
- Embroiderers (1853-1898)
- Engine cleaners (1870-1898)
- Engine fitters (1857-1898)
- Engine wipes (1872-1899)
- Engineers, railroad locomotive (1840-1900)
- Engineers, stationary (1824-1900)
- Engravers (1840-1898)
- Errand boys (1861-1899)
- Etchers (1879-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Factory sweepers (1847-1898)
- Farm laborers (1725-1899)
- File cutters (1832-1898)
- Filers (1840-1900)
- Filling carriers (1850-1897)
- Fireworks makers (1889-1895)
- Fishermen (1869-1899)
- Flax, hemp and jute manufacture
- Flour millers (1725-1899)
- Flour mill foremen, not-specified (1868-1898)
- Foundry and machine shop occupations
- Freight handlers (1876-1898)
- Fur sewers (1871-1898)
- Furniture and mill product joiners (1850-1898)
- Furniture making
- Furriers (1860-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Gas fitters (1840-1900)
- Gas makers (1830-1899)
- Gas purifiers (1863-1896)
- Gas works foremen, not-specified (1849-1898)
- Glass blowers, bottles (1841-1898)
- Glass blowers, not-specified (1841-1898)
- Glass blowers, window glass (1841-1898)
- Glass cutters (1860-1898)
- Glass flatteners (1860-1898)
- Glass foremen, not specified (1869-1898)
- Glass grinders (1868-1898)
- Glass packers (1860-1898)
- Glass pot makers (1871-1898)
- Glaziers (1839-1899)
- Glove makers (1841-1898)
- Gold and silver engravers (1850-1897)
- Gold and silver polishers (1840-1898)
- Goldsmiths (1846-1897)
- Granite cutters (1855-1900)
- Gunsmiths (1857-1896)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Hair dressers (1853-1898)
- Hammer men (1847-1899)
- Harness and saddle makers (1840-1899)
- Harness and saddle makers foremen (1860-1898)
- Harvest hands (1725-1898)
- Hat makers (1839-1898)
- Hat and cap finishers (1810-1900)
- Hat and cap sewers (1839-1898)
- Hat and cap trimmers (1839-1900)
- Herders (1839-1897)
- Hod carriers (1789-1900)
- Horseshoers (1839-1900)
- Hosiery and knit goods finishers (1861-1899)
- Hostlers (1851-1900)
- Housekeepers (1876-1899)
- Housemaids (1850-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Illuminating gas firemen (1840-1898)
- Iron, pig
- Iron and steel occupations
- Bundlers (1849-1899)
- Catchers (1840-1899)
- Chippers (1860-1900)
- Cupola tenders (1850-1898)
- Door hands (1850-1892)
- Dragouts (1843-1899)
- Dressers (1841-1899)
- Finishers (1874-1899)
- Foremen, not-specified (1872-1899)
- Melters (1798-1899)
- Product cutters (1842-1898)
- Product forgers (1835-1899)
- Products riveters (1860-1899)
- Rollers (1840-1899)
- Roughers (1843-1899)
- Shear men (1866-1899)
- Stockers (1844-1899)
- Straighteners (1840-1899)
- Weighers (1825-1899)
- Iron founders (1810-1899)
- Iron mining drillers (1840-1891)
- Iron molder foremen (1853-1898)
- Iron workers (1866-1898)
- Iron miners (1840-1899)
- Iron molders (1839-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Labelers (1851-1898)
- Laborers (1725-1900)
- Laborers foremen (1854-1899)
- Lace makers (1853-1899)
- Lacquerers (1840-1896)
- Lamp tenders (1861-1899)
- Lamplighters (1855-1898)
- Laundry occupations
- Leather occupations
- Linemen (1875-1900)
- Lithographers (1849-1898)
- Lithographing pressmen (1863-1898)
- Locksmiths (1840-1898)
- Locomotive, mine, and factory yard engineers (1861-1899)
- Longshoremen (1859-1898)
- Loom fixers (1839-1900)
- Lumber and lumber products sawyers (1810-1900)
- Lumber foremen, not-specified (1863-1898)
- Lumbermen (1858-1895)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Mechanics, master (1870-1898)
- Messengers for factories and stores (1874-1896)
- Metal occupations
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Milliners (1853-1899)
- Millwrights (1834-1899)
- Mine bosses (1873-1899)
- Mines and factory yards brakemen (1841-1900)
- Mining occupations
- Mining occupations, coal
- Mining occupations, iron
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Porters (1828-1899)
- Potters (1840-1898)
- Prescription clerks (1840-1897)
- Printing and publishing occupations
- Proof readers (1840-1900)
- Puddlers (1837-1899)
- Pumpmen (1871-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Rag sorters (1858-1899)
- Retort men (1839-1895)
- Riggers (1856-1900)
- Riveting holders-on (1857-1899)
- Rolling mill heaters (1837-1899)
- Rolling mills hookers-up (1863-1899)
- Rope and twine foremen (1868-1898)
- Roofers (1810-1900)
- Rope makers (1853-1897)
- Roving carriers (1853-1897)
- Roving frame-tenders (1850-1897)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Railroad occupations
- Baggagemen (1840-1900)
- Brakemen (1840-1900)
- Conductors, not-specified (1850-1900)
- Dispatchers (1875-1898)
- Flagmen (1875-1898)
- Foremen, not-specified (1870-1899)
- Freight conductors (1840-1900)
- Locomotive engineers (1840-1900)
- Locomotive firemen (1840-1900)
- Messengers (1877-1899)
- Oilers (1870-1898)
- Passenger conductors (1840-1900)
- Road masters (1877-1898)
- Section men (1850-1900)
- Section foremen (1875-1900)
- Signalmen (1850-1900)
- Station agents (1850-1899)
- Station masters (1850-1899)
- Railroad car occupations
- Railway street conductors (1871-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Shepherds (1843-1896)
- Ship building occupations
- Ship carpenters (1812-1900)
- Shippers (1861-1899)
- Shirt makers (1860-1898)
- Shoemakers (1810-1899)
- Silk goods weavers (1833-1900)
- Silk spinners (1839-1900)
- Silk winders (1833-1900)
- Silver platers (1833-1896)
- Silversmiths (1846-1898)
- Slubbing-frame tenders (1833-1897)
- Smelters (1841-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Soap makers (1860-1897)
- Soap and candle maker foremen (1852-1898)
- Solderers (1842-1897)
- Speeder tenders (1840-1900)
- Stablemen (1855-1899)
- Stablemen foremen (1882-1899)
- Starchers (1850-1898)
- Stationary engineers (1824-1900)
- Stationary firemen (1839-1900)
- Steam fitters (1871-1900)
- Stenographers (1880-1899)
- Stereotypers (1840-1900)
- Stewards (1859-1899)
- Stitchers (1853-1900)
- Stonecutters (1789-1900)
- Stove mounters (1860-1898)
- Street car driving (1871-1898)
- Sulphur miners (1862-1897)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Tailors (1725-1898)
- Tanner occupations
- Teamsters (1824-1900)
- Telegraph operators (1860-1899)
- Timekeepers (1840-1900)
- Tinsmiths (1840-1900)
- Tinsmith foremen (1871-1899)
- Tobacco occupations
- Tool makers (1840-1900)
- Truckmen (1830-1899)
- Trunk makers (1873-1898)
- Type founders (1846-1898)
- Typewriters (1884-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Cotton textile manufacturing occupations - Wages
- Wool textile manufacturing occupations - Wages
- Other textile occupational wages, non-specified
- Balers (1845-1897)
- Band boys (1856-1896)
- Beam hands (1839-1900)
- Bleachers (1839-1900)
- Brusher tenders (1866-1896)
- Bundlers (1863-1897)
- Burlers (1833-1898)
- Calendrers (1810-1897)
- Card cleaners (1850-1897)
- Carders (1832-1898)
- Carding department overseers (1833-1900)
- Cloth department overseers (1840-1896)
- Color mixers (1839-1896)
- Creelers (1850-1896)
- Designers (1839-1896)
- Doublers (1806-1898)
- Drawers (1839-1899)
- Drawers-in (1842-1897)
- Dressers (1816-1898)
- Dressing department overseers (1840-1896)
- Driers (1833-1897)
- Dyers (1839-1900)
- Dyeing department overseers (1850-1896)
- Examiners (1862-1896)
- Finishers (1839-1900)
- Finishing department overseers (1850-1896)
- Folders (1840-1897)
- Fullers (1833-1896)
- Giggers (1850-1898)
- Handers-in (1850-1896)
- Harness hands (1843-1896)
- Inspectors (1875-1897)
- Lap carriers (1855-1877)
- Lapper tenders (1853-1896)
- Makers-up (1833-1896)
- Measurers (1850-1896)
- Menders (1836-1897)
- Openers (1833-1896)
- Overseers, not-specified (1823-1898)
- Packers (1824-1897)
- Pickers (1810-1900)
- Picking department overseers (1824-1897)
- Piecers (1804-1898)
- Pressers (1836-1898)
- Printers (1810-1897)
- Railway hands (1850-1896)
- Reelers (1806-1898)
- Repairers foremen (1842-1896)
- Rollers coverers (1833-1896)
- Scourers (1836-1896)
- Second hands (1834-1897)
- Section hands (1834-1896)
- Sewers (1863-1897)
- Shearers (1833-1897)
- Spare hands (1851-1896)
- Spinning department overseers (1824-1900)
- Spoolers (1845-1900)
- Spooling department overseers (1857-1896)
- Stampers (1863-1896)
- Tackers (1870-1896)
- Third hands (1840-1896)
- Trimmers (1862-1899)
- Twisters (1833-1898)
- Washers (1836-1896)
- Waste hands (1851-1897)
- Weaving department overseers (1833-1900)
- Weighers (1850-1896)
- Winders (1833-1900)
- Cotton textile manufacturing occupations - Wages
- Other textile occupational wages, non-specified
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Wagon makers (1853-1899)
- Waiters (1869-1898)
- Warehouse hands (1833-1899)
- Warpers (1810-1900)
- Watchmakers (1820-1898)
- Watchmen (1834-1900)
- Water carriers (1845-1899)
- Wheelwrights (1839-1898)
- Window glass gatherers (1841-1898)
- Wood box makers (1850-1900)
- Wood carvers (1839-1899)
- Wood choppers (1856-1898)
- Wood planers (1835-1900)
- Wood polishers (1839-1899)
- Wood turners (1840-1899)
- Woodworkers (1840-1900)
- Woodworkers foremen (1836-1896)
- Woolen goods sorters (1836-1897)
- Woolen goods weavers (1823-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of Wages in Commercial Countries from Official Sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
Wages, 1880s - Analysis, calculators, and exchange rates
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Nineteenth century wage trends30-page booklet reviews overall wage trends from 1800-1899. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Staff Paper #2.
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Calculator: Present-day purchasing power of a historic dollar amountThe MeasuringWorth.com website provides online calculators, guides and tutorials to help researchers understand the current-day value of historic money in the United States, Australia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
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Currency converter, 1270–2017This calculator can be used to determine the historical purchasing power of currency in the United Kingdom from 1270 to 2017. Purchasing power is represented in its equivalence in horses, wheat, the yearly wages of a skilled tradesperson, and others.
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"How much is that in real money? A historical price index..."Provides explanations and charts to help users calculate the current value of historic dollar amounts. Source: Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Association, Vol. 101 #2. Source
Food prices by state, 1880-1889
- Major U.S. cities - Food prices, 1887Shows prices in 15 major American cities and for the state of Colorado. Source: Colorado Bureau of Labor Statistics, pp. 286-287.
- Eastern U.S. and Canada - Food prices, 1881-1882Lists average retail prices in cents for essential goods in NJ, NY, PA, MD and eastern Canada in 1881-1882. Source: NJ Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries, pp. 74-75
- Alcoholic beverages - Consumer prices, 1886Imported wine cost around $3-4 per gallon, and domestic wine about $2 per gallon at retail. More alcohol prices by the glass and by the gallon are in a chart on p. 395. Saloon prices for whisky on p. 393. See statement on cost of alcoholic beverages to consumers in the U.S., Treasury Dept, Bureau of Statistics Quarterly Report for 1886-87, pp. 391-397.
- Food prices - San Francisco, ca. 1883Shows the retail prices of bread, milk, eggs, meats, oatmeal, coffee, sugar, tea and more. Source: California BLS biennial report for 1883-1884, p. 253.
- Sugar prices - San Francisco, 1870-1885Source: Quarterly reports of the chief of the Bureau of Statistics, 1885-86, no. 2.
- Iowa - Food prices by county, mid 1880sThis source provides a data table for each county. Counties are listed in alphabetical order beginning on page 2; scroll forward to see them all.
- Food prices - Chicago, ca. 1883Shows the retail prices of bread, milk, eggs, various meats, oatmeal, coffee, sugar, tea and more. Source: California BLS biennial report for 1883-1884.
- Food prices - Illinois, 1884Shows the average price of various food supplies across the state of Illinois. Each foodstuff includes a unit of measurement used for pricing. Coal, kerosene, and hard wood prices are also included. Source: 3rd Biennial Report of the BLS of Illinois, pg. 342
- Wholesale prices - Louisville Kentucky, 1880Multi-page table shows wholesale prices at Louisville for foods and many other items. Source: Kentucky Bureau of Agriculture, Horticulture and Statistics annual report for 1881.
- Average retail prices - Massachusetts, 1871-1902Pages 241-243 shows the average price of food, fuel, dry goods, and rent within a 75 page report on prices and cost of living in Massachusetts. The report also contains information on purchasing power, expenditures and budgets, and more. Source: Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor
- Massachusetts - Grocery and provision prices, 1860-1883Shows average prices for coffee, tea, sugar, flour, dry codfish, molasses, meats, dairy products, potatoes and eggs. Scroll forward to page 452 to see the price of canned foods (or "tinned foods"), including corned beef, deviled ham, Irish stew, mince meat, pig's feet, chicken pate, roast duck, potted anchovies, lobster, clams, oysters, sardines, cockle leekie, mulligatawney, turtle soup, canned vegetables, pickles, ketchup, canned fruits, fruit jams and jellies, honey, quinces, condensed milk, and more.
- Price of farm products - Maine, 1880-1884Shows the price per bushel of potatoes, hay, and 6 different grains throughout Maine. Source: Statistics of Industries etc. of Maine, pg. 25
- Minnesota - Fruit prices, 1871Shows the prices of apples, strawberries, and grapes in Minnesota. Source: Annual report of the Commissioner on the statistics to the Governor, 1872
- Missouri mining towns - Food prices, 1889Shows the retail prices of commodities by county in Missouri mining town. Commodities include foodstuff, clothes, fuel, and more. Source: 11th Annual Report of Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of Missouri, pp. 288-297
- New York City - Food and provision prices, 1825-1882Shows prices over a 56-year span. Based on size of unit (bushels, barrels, tons), these appear to be wholesale prices, although it does show some prices by the pound. Source: Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics of Michigan, pp. 248-250
- Food prices in New York City, ca. 1883Shows the retail prices of bread, milk, eggs, meats, oatmeal, coffee, sugar, tea and more. Source: California BLS biennial report for 1883-1884.
- New York alcohol prices, 1889New York distributor price list for champagne, wine, whiskey, brandy, mineral water and more.
- Sugar prices in New York, 1870-1885Source: Quarterly reports of the chief of the Bureau of Statistics, 1885-86, no. 2.
- Ohio - Food prices in major cities, 1880-1889Prices in Cincinnati start on p. 811; prices in Columbus start on p. 826; prices in Cleveland start on p. 838. All are part of a longer table that shows annual price data from 1825-1892. Source: Ohio Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17th Annual Report.
- Ohio - Retail food prices by town, 1887Tables list towns in alphabetical order, along with prices for various foods and dry goods sold in each. Foods include flour, milk, meats, tea, sugar, potatoes, etc.; and other items priced include fabrics, soap, coal and more. Tables extend from pages 145-161.
- Pennsylvania country store - Food prices, 1880-1890Prices of sugar, rice, tea, coffee, salt, kerosene, shovels, hoes, etc. for each year during the 1880s.
- Meals (boarding) in Massachusetts, 1883Shows "table board" rates for male and females, separate from the cost of lodging. Rates in tabular form on pp. 451-452.
- Restaurant prices (average) - Massachusetts, ca. 1883Typical menu items with prices in: Mass. 1884 Statistics of Labor report, pp. 456-458.
- Restaurant prices (average) - New York, 1888Explains what diners would pay at NYC's finest restaurants compared to the lunch counters, hash houses, etc. Source: Hand-book of the Pennsylvania lines travel guide, pp. 64-65.
Homes and land prices, 1880-1889
- Rent by city, 1851-1880Average monthly rents by # of rooms in selected cities across 15 states. Source: 1890 Census.
- Boarding house rates by city, 1851-1880Rates for meals and lodging in selected cities in CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MO, NY, OH, PA, WV.
- Farm land and buildings - Value per acre, 1880Average value per acre for farm land (along with any buildings on the land), broken out by U.S. region. Source: 1930 Census of Agriculture.
- Farm real estate - Value by state and county, 1880Shows average value for farm land and buildings from 1850-1982. Use the following hyperlinks to see values for AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Cost to build a new house, 1882Builder's guide and estimator's price book (1882) tells how much various types of skilled laborers could accomplish in a day, along with approximate labor rates and materials costs.
- Household utilities (oil and gas) prices - 1885 to 1907Shows prices for illumination and fuel gas in households, by city.
See - Rent and fuel prices - Illinois, 1884Shows the annual cost per family for rent and fuel by city as well as the average across the state. The table also presents some demographic information for each city surveyed. Source: 3rd Biennial Report of the BLS of Illinois, pg. 305
- Iowa rent and home values by county and occupation, 1886Survey responses report the monthly rent or home values for Iowa residents. Figures are not averaged. There is a separate table for each county; scroll forward to see them all.
- Rental costs by size and condition of unit - Massachusetts, 1883State government source describes rental units in detail, including the number of rooms, and tells the cost to rent each on pages 447-449. Also shows the cost for room and board in a boarding house, and table board only on page 451.
- Tenement rent and boarding rates - Massachusetts, 1889Shows rents charged for 2, 3, and 4-room tenements. Also shows weekly board rates for male and female tenants. Source: Condition of employees by H. G. Wadlin, taken from Mass. Bureau of Statistics of Labor 20th annual report.
- Rent for Missouri coal miners - 1889Shows the rent by number of rooms, and condition of the housing provided by their employers. Source: MO Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11th ann. rept., p. 283.
- Missouri land prices, mid 1880sLists approximate prices for land in selected southern and central Missouri counties. Source: emigrant guide published by the Missouri Pacific Railway Co., pp. 73-81.
- Texas land prices, early 1880sIn the description of each county, there are price ranges for land, differentiating between "wild land" and cultivated land. Counties listed in alphabetical order. Source published in 1882.
Transportation prices, 1880-1889
- Stage coach fare - Western states, 1881Shows fare for travel from Idaho to towns in Oregon, Washington Territory, Nevada and Utah. Source: Resources and Attractions of Idaho Territory..., p. 83.
- Stage coach fare - Montana, 1881This source describes the options for traveling by rail to Montana from Kansas, and then by stage coach. See pages 145-150 of this source.
See railroad fares below.
- Hacks, cabs, carriage, coach and omnibus rates, 1888See rates for hired rides within cities: Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Harrisburg PA, Indianapolis, Louisville, and New York City. Source: Hand-book of the Pennsylvania lines guidebook for railway travelers.
- Bicycle prices, 1887"Ordinary bikes" on pp. 363-367, safety bikes on pp. 369-373. Prices in British pounds; the exchange rate to dollars was 4.87. Bike prices in U.S. dollars on p. 362. Source: Sturmey's Indispensable bicyclist's handbook.
- Horse prices, 1867-1920Source: USDA Yearbook, 1919 edition, p. 653.
- Steamship fare to America from Liverpool or Glasgow, ca. 1883Emigrant's guide tells the various fares for tickets (saloon, intermediate and steerage) for each of the steamship lines, including Cunard, White Star, Dominion and others. Fares are listed in English currency. In 1883, a British pound sterling was worth $4.86 (source).
- Liverpool to Boston, 1883Price to travel in steerage was $25 on the Warren Line steamship. Source: advertisement in business directory.
Railroad fares by region, 1880-1889
- Passenger train fare in the U.S., 1871-1933Average railroad passenger fare expressed in cents per mile.
- Railroad passenger fares by RR company, 1850-1897Average passenger fares in cents per mile. There is no differentiation between classes of travel. Source: USDS Misc. Bulletin #15, pp. 65-77.
Tip: look for "T'kt fare" in Rand McNally guides - Sleeping car berth rates, 1889Source: Timetable, Grand Trunk Railway.
- Railway ticket prices between cities in the U.S., 1880Shows actual prices for travel between cities for three classes of railway travel. Also tells the mileage and how long each trip would take.
- New England - Massachusetts, Maine, New York, etc.
- Middle states - New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, etc.
- Vermont RR passenger fares, 1887-1903Lists average fares in cents per mile. Listed by RR company. Source: Vermont Railroad Commissioners 9th biennial report, table XII, pp. 28-29.
- Railway ticket prices between cities in the U.S., 1880Shows actual prices for travel between cities for three classes of railway travel. Also tells the mileage and how long each trip would take.
- [Midwest] states - Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, etc.
- Southern states - Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.
- Northern states - Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc.
- Railway ticket prices between cities in the western U.S., 1880Shows actual prices for travel between cities for three classes of railway travel. Also tells the mileage and how long each trip would take. Covers selected routes through Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, California, Oregon, etc.
- Railway fare to Idaho Territory, 1881Shows 1st, 2nd and 3rd class fares from Omaha (similar rates from Kansas City or Leavenworth). Source: Resources and Attractions of Idaho Territory..., p. 82.
- Railway fare to Montana from Kansas, 1881This source describes the options for traveling by rail and stage coach, pp. 145-150.
- Fares to north and west destinations, 1889From Chicago and Milwaukee. Lists summer tourist fares to destinations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming (including Yellowstone) and Alaska. Source: Wisconsin Central RR brochure.
More prices in the United States, 1880-1889
- Telegraph rates from New York City - 1873, 1883 and 1908Table shows the price to send a 10-word message from New York City to 70 major cities in the U.S. and Canada. Source, pp. 24-25.
- Price of a newspaper subscription, 1869-1920Look up by year, then state, then city, then title to find the cost of a newspaper subscription. Source: Rowell's & Ayer's American newspaper directories.
- Cost to mail a letter or postcard, 1863-presentSource: the Historian of the U.S. Postal Service.
Letters posted for 2¢ per oz. from
1883-1917 - Telephone rates ("inter-urban") 1880s-1890sSource: Dec 20, 1902 issue of American Telephone Journal
- Telephone call in Connecticut, 1878-1882From 1878-1882, a public telephone, or pay station, was available at Bridgeport - the rate was 15 cents a call. In 1880, another telephone company in New Haven offered a pay station where calls cost 10 cents. Source: Connecticut pioneers in telephony... , by Walsh (1950).
- Telephone rates in New York City, 1887-1905Shows flat rates for business and residential customers in New York City. A message rate schedule was then put into place in 1894, with new rate schedules adopted in 1895 and 1897.
- Dry goods prices in Massachusetts, 1883Price of household linens, quilts, blankets, towels, ticking, etc. are shown on page 445. Soap and starch, coal and firewood prices on page 440. Source: Massachusetts' 15th Annual Report on the Statistics of Labor (1884).
- Miscellaneous merchandise - Retail prices, 1881-1882Click "more..." for direct links to items:
- Dormitory Furniture, 1880-1883Part of the University of Missouri's annual handbook to students and faculty advertises the prices of basic furniture like beds, lamps, and mattresses for student residences. Source: University of Missouri General Catalog 1880-1883, p. 139.
- Hand mirrors - Prices, 1880s
- 1880(?): Hand mirror, $1.23 wholesale, p. 71
- 1881: Hand mirror, $2.00, p. 451
- 1881: Hand mirrors for 4 cents each in Washington DC
- 1884: Hand mirror and brush set, $1.00, p. 423
- Personal effects and small household items - Prices ca. 1875-1885This illustrated wholesale price catalog shows prices for merchants and peddlers, but does include some suggested retail prices. Includes jewelry, clocks, silver tea sets, perfume bottles, candle sticks, picture frames, and more. Source: Franklin Jewelry Company catalog.
- Books and music prices, 1872-1922Each issue of Publishers' Weekly shows prices of newly published books, music, and periodicals in both the United States and abroad.
- Clothing prices in Boston, 1883Price of corsets, hose, men's collars and cuffs, night shirts, gloves, boots, shoes, etc. as well as fabrics and trimmings for sewing clothes in Massachusetts annual report on the Statistics of Labor (1884), pp. 445-446. The price of men's full suits were listed in the 1882 report, p. 456.
- Clothing prices in rural Missouri mining towns, 1889Prices listed by town. Overalls, pants, suspenders, shirts, hats, caps, gloves, mittens, scarves, overcoats etc. as well as ladies cloaks, underwear, etc. and children's suits. Source: MO Bureau of Labor Statistics 11th Annual report, pp. 288-297.
CLOTHING PRICES from mail order catalogs, 1880s
- Mens' and boy's clothing prices by mail order - 1883Rogers, Peet & Co. commercial catalog shows retail prices for clothing by mail order. Includes drawings for some of the clothes.
Children's blouse suits, $4-$10. Source: 1883 mail order catalog. - Clothing and home goods prices, 1880Retailer in Boston (Jordan, Marsh & Co.) distributed a mail order catalog showing prices for clothing including corsets and hats, fabric and sewing supplies, blankets and quilts, rugs, toothbrushes, hair brushes, face powder and soap, and colognes such as Bay Rum.
- Sporting goods catalog, 1883Catalog with price list for clothing and shoes used for participating in sports, bicycling, fishing, exercise, dance, etc. See index in back of the book for complete list of contents and page numbers.
- Men's suits (wholesale), 1888Catalog shows prices that merchants would pay for ready-made suits. Source: Work Bros., Chicago. See this 1882 report indicating the typical retail markup from wholesale price.
- Prices of farm implements, machinery and hand tools, 1860-1900Shows prices of farm tools, carriages and buggies, small engines, cotton gins and more for 1860, 1880, 1890, 1895 and 1900.
- Tool prices at a country store in central Pennsylvania, 1880-1890Prices of farm tools, shovels, hoes, etc. for each year during the 1880s on pages 44a-47a of a Pennsylvania state government report on industrial statistics.
- Tool, farm implement and equipment prices, 1881Product catalog with retail prices showing merchandise offered as rewards to who sold magazine subscriptions. The prices do appear to be accurate. Source: American agriculturalist, pp. 447-449. Also shows hunting and fishing equipment on pp. 457-458.
- Firearms, gun accessories and sporting good prices - 1880sCatalog published in the mid 1880s provides prices for shot guns, rifles, revolvers, ammunition, holsters and other gun accessories as well as supplies for hunting and camping. Source: J. Palmer O'Neil & Co. Illustrated Catalogue.
- Firearms, Winchester - Prices, 1880-1890Shows prices of the Model 1866, Model 1873, Model 1876, the Hotchkiss, Single Shot, Model 1886 and the 1887 shotgun. Source: Winchester: the Gun that Won the West.
- Rifle and shotgun prices, 1881Shows retail prices for Remington, Forehand & Wadsworth, W.C. Scott & Son and other major brands. Source: American agriculturalist, p. 456.
- Gun catalog, ca. 1887Source: Merwin, Hulbert & Co. sporting goods catalog, pp. 3-35.
- Hunting and fishing supply catalog, 1883Catalog with price list also includes sporting goods. See index in back of the book for complete list of contents and page numbers. See also a catalog for ordering hunting and fishing boats dated 1886.
- Horses, mules and farm animals - Average prices, 1867-1920Shows average values expressed as price per head. Source: USDA Yearbook, 1919 edition.
- Horses and mules (p. 653)
- Milk cows and other cattle (p. 658)
- Sheep (p. 668)
- Swine (p. 675)
- Fees and Boarding at the University of Missouri, 1880-1883The annual handbook for the university advertised the set prices for fees like receiving diplomas, use of the library, and departmental fees. It encouraged students that no one should be spending more than $200 in a year including tuition and travel to the university. Source: University of Missouri General Catalog 1880-1883, p. 137.
- College and university tuition, 1884The college student's manual from 1884 lists all the colleges and universities in the United States with tuitions, arranged by state.
- Tuition costs at schools and colleges, 1877-1881Schools advertised their tuition fees in issues of The Educational Weekly. Use the 'Search in this text' tool to search a volume of interest for the word "tuition". For example, in Sparta, Illinois, in 1880, high school tuition was $7 per term and grammar school was $5 per term.
- Board and tuition at a school for young ladies, 1886-87These terms for Miss E. E. Owen's School for Young Ladies in Amherst, Mass. list the cost of board and tuition, tuition only, music lessons, piano use, laundry, and seats in church.
- Tuition at Bethel College, McKenzie, TN - 1882-83 & 1888-89The Annual Catalogues of Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee, include tuition terms for primary, preparatory, and collegiate courses:
- 1882-1883 -- Tuition by course of study, extra fees, and board
- 1888-1889 -- Tuition by course of study, extra fees, and board
- Harvard University - Student expenses, 1883-1887This speech on college expenses at Harvard was given at at the 1887 commencement, at which time tuition and board were both $150 per year. The appendix contains excerpts from letters the speaker received from students detailing their expenses.
- Hotel rates by U.S. city
- Hotel rates, 1885Arranged alphabetically by city, Thompson's hotel directory and travel guide shows daily rates for some cities such as Baltimore, Nashville and Waterbury, CT.
- Costs to travel in Europe, 1885The book A Tramp Trip; How to See Europe on Fifty Cents a Day (published 1886) contains anecdotal evidence of prices especially pertaining to travel and tourists. The best way to find prices is to try a keyword search on the word “cents.”
- Hotel rates and RR fares, U.S. and Canada - 1889This travelers' guide shows railroad fares between towns on maps of each state. Hotel rates are listed alphabetically by state, then city. Source: Gibb's route and reference book, c1889.
- Chicago hotel rates, 1883Source: Glossup's street guide...and hotel manual.
- Hotel rates in IL, MN and WI, 1889Shows rates for hotels in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and at Yellowstone in Wyoming. Source: Wisconsin Central travel brochure, summer 1889.
Barbershop services
Getting a shavein the 1880s
The following examples were found in newspapers.
- 1880 -- Dakota Territory - Haircut alone 20¢; haircut with shave 25¢, shampoo 15¢ (source)
- 1882 -- Texas - Haircut 25¢, shave 10¢ (source)
- 1886 -- Nebraska - Barbers at one shop in Omaha earned $10-$14 weekly plus an additional $4-$8 in tips (source)
- 1889 -- Oregon - Six shaves for $1 (source)
Legal services
- 1883 charge to file for a patent, including attorney and government fees.
Shipping/freight rates
- One could ship a piano or organ by railroad from the east to west coast for $4.20 per 100 pounds. Source: Musical courier, May 8, 1889, p. 388.
Health care costs, 1880-1889
- Physicians fees - Iowa, 1882-1887Shows service rates adopted by medical associations throughout Iowa. Source: Medical and surgical directory... Iowa, 1886-1887.
- Physician fees - Milwaukee, 1883This fee bill was adopted by the Milwaukee Co. Medical Society in 1883. Source: Medical history of Milwaukee, 1834-1914 (1915).
- Physician fees - Kansas City, 1889Service rates set by the Jackson County Medical Society. Source: Kansas City medical index, Sep 1889.
- Obstetrical and gynecological fees, Chicago - 1889Shows a list of service fees set by the Chicago Gynecological Society in 1889. Source: McDonald's medical directory, 1895.
- Physician fees - Brooklyn, 1882-1883Shows price ranges for medical and surgical services. Source: Proceedings of the Medical Society of the County of Kings (New York) Feb. 1883.
Uncomplicated childbirth cost $30 in 1885 in Philadelphia - Physician fees - Philadelphia and New Jersey, 1885Compares the fees for a doctor's office visit, house call, obstetrical cases, surgeries, treatment of illnesses and more. Source: Elements of modern medicine... By R. French Stone, pp. 210-212.
Uncomplicated childbirth cost - Physician fees - Los Angeles, 1889Shows price ranges for consultations, obstetrical services, and surgical cases. Source: Southern California practitioner, Jan 1889.
- Physician fees - San Francisco, 1884Shows price ranges for medical and surgical services. Source: Cleveland medical gazette July 1887, pp. 315-316.
- Medicine prices, 1880Chicago mail order company published wholesale prices in The Druggists' Ready Reference. Retail prices are sometimes mentioned; enter the word "retail" in the search box to find them.
- Opium and morphine prices - Louisville Kentucky, 1880Shows what appears to be the wholesale price for gum opium: $6.90 to $8.25 per pound. Source: Kentucky Bureau of Agriculture, Horticulture and Statistics, 1881 annual report.
- Medical supplies catalog, 1889Catalog shows prices for doctor's and surgeon's instruments as well as "artificial limbs, artificial eyes, elastic stockings, trusses, crutches, supporters, galvanic batteries," etc. Source: Catalogue of Sharp & Smith.
- Doctor supply catalog, 1888This catalog lists prices for surgical, dental, and veterinary instruments, as well as "galvanic batteries, artificial limbs, artificial eyes, deformity apparatus, elastic stockings, trusses," etc. Source: Illustrated catalogue of surgical, dental and veterinary instruments.
Cost of living and consumer expenditures in the U.S. - 1880s
- Cost of living in Kansas towns, 1887-1888Extensive section shows retail prices and household expenditures, reported monthly for 14 towns and cities. Covers how much residents of these towns spent on food, clothing, heating fuel, rent, treating sickness, and more. Table extends from pages 170-234. Detailed wages and expenditures by occupation begin on page 235.
- Massachusetts cost of living compared to Great Britain, 1860-1883Provides analysis based on family budgets for a 19 families in MA and 16 in Great Britain. From this, they derived consumer expenditures by category. Cost of living discussion begins on page 246. The "Workingmen's Budgets" tables that follow provide data for each family that was studied.
- Consumer expenditures for food, clothing and more, 1880-1882Lists typical daily food consumption by adult factory workers, and calculates its value at 25 cents per day. Page forward to find daily consumer expenditures for clothing, boots and shoes, fuel, bedroom furniture, cotton sheeting, agricultural implements, axes and more. Time period covered: 1860-mid 1880s. Source: Industrial Progress of the Nation by Edward Atkinson (1890)
- Food, fuel and clothing - Amount needed annually, 1880sShows the amount of food, clothing and fuel needed by an average adult male. Also details an average daily ration of food. Source: Forum, Sep 1888, pp. 23-24.
- Average family budgets - Illinois and Massachusetts, 1884Shows average expenditures in ten expense categories. Source: 3rd Biennial Report of the BLS of Illinois, pg. 333
- Family expenditures by occupation - Illinois, 1884Shows average amounts spent in various categories. Includes breakouts by town. Source: 3rd Biennial Report of the BLS of Illinois, pp. 303-327.
- Rent and fuel, pp. 304-310
- Meat and groceries, pp. 310-316
- Clothing, pp. 316-321
- Health care and other miscellaneous goods, pp. 322-326
Foreign prices by country, 1880-1889
Prices in AUSTRALIA, 1880s
- Australia (Sydney) - Retail prices, 1880Retail prices for clothing for women and men of the laboring classes as well as prices for a variety of foods, candles, soap, oil and kerosene, tobacco and more. Find house rents listed on page 46. Shows wages by occupation as well. See prices and wages for other areas of Australia by paging forward. Jump to section for western Australia on pages 66-67, Queensland on pages 64-65, south Australia on pages 54-61, and Victoria. Includes a currency comparison table for Canandian, English and American money. Source: Emigrant's guide published in London.
- Australia (Melbourne) - Prices, 1883 and 1888Source: 1888-1889 Victorian year-book, an Australian government publication.
- Wages in Prices, 1886Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, p. 100.
Prices in CANADA, 1880s
- Canada (Manitoba) - Cost to start a farm, 1880Emigrants' guide estimates the amount of money a newcomer to Manitoba would need to survive for the first year. Estimates the cost of one year's provisions, for one cow, a wagon, a yoke of oxen, plow, a cooking stove and tinware, furniture, etc. Includes a currency comparison table for Canadian, U.S. and English money. This source is not a government document.
- Prices in Canada, 1883-1886Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, pp. 38-41.
- Real estate prices in Canada, 1883Lists prices for farms, land, lots and homes by province and county. Source: Canadian land advertiser real estate catalog.
- Canada - Wine and alcohol prices, 1888This source is a retail mail order catalog. Shows a variety of wines and alcohol such as whiskey, rum, brandy. Also shows prices for non-alcoholic apple cider.
- Railroad sleeping car rates, 1889Source: Timetable, Grand Trunk Railway of Canada.
PRICES in FRANCE, 1880s
- Rental costs for lodging in Paris, mid 1880sShows rent by the number of rooms, in British currency. Source: Mulhill's Dictionary of Statistics, published 1886 in London.
- Prices in France, 1887Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, p. 59-60.
Prices in INDIA, 1880s
- Salt - Retail price in India, annual averages for 1861-1890Tells how much salt one rupee could buy in the various districts and provinces in India in each year from 1861-1890. The quantity of salt is given in seers. 80 tolahs = 1 seer.
- Grains - Retail price in India by district, annual data 1861-1890Tells how much grain one rupee could purchase in each year. Source: Prices and Wages in India published by the India government, Statistical Branch of Finance & Commerce Department.
Prices in ITALY, 1880s
- Italy - Food prices in Milan, 1801-1908Lists prices of wheat, bread, wine, beef, pork, butter and rice. Source: Bulletin of the U.S. Bureau of Labor, Vol. 20 #87, pp. 599-607.
- Italy - Prices of foods and clothing, 1885Shows retail prices for milk, eggs, butter, cheese, potatoes, macaroni, bread, figs, strawberries, and for various items of clothing, both workmen's clothes and fine clothes.
- Prices in the Netherlands, 1886Source: U.S. Dept of State, Money and prices in foreign countries, vol. 8, part 1, pp. 54-55.
Prices in SWEDEN, 1880s
- Grain prices - Sweden, 1836-1900This table shows average prices for wheat, rye, barley, and oats in Sweden for 1836 to 1900. Yearly consumption per inhabitant for wheat and rye can be found in another table on page 156 of this book.
See UK prices in box below.
Prices in MULTIPLE COUNTRIES, 1880s
- Prices and cost of living in European countries, 1880sEach chapter in this U.S. consular report titled "Labor in Europe" contains much detail. Jump directly to the section for Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Denmark, Portugal, Turkey and Russia. The back of the book includes a table that compares wages for a variety of occupations by European country for 1878 and 1884, with additional column showing wages for similar occupations in Chicago. For considerably more detail on each of the European countries, see the companion volumes to this consular report. Germany and England are in Vol. I and all the other countries are in Volume 2.
- Daily cost of living in European countries and America, ca. 1880Expresses cost of living in pence per day. Also shows how many days of work might be required in each country to pay for one year's food, rent, taxes, etc. Source: History of prices since the year 1850, by Michael George Mulhall, published 1885 in London.
- Land prices in multiple countries, ca. 1880Tells typical prices for acreage in several countries including Canada, the Argentine Republic, Russia, England, France, Belgium, Denmark, and New Zealand (all expressed in pounds). Source: History of prices since the year 1850 published 1885 in London.
- Emigrants' guide, 1880Significant detail on retail prices, cost to rent, and much more for Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Cape of Good Hope, Natal, and the United States. This guide was published in London.
- Railway passenger fare in 15 European countries, mid 1880sShows the amount a passenger would pay per 100 miles, expressed in British pence. Source: Mulhill's Dictionary of Statistics, p. 385.
- Railway passenger fare in 12 European countries, 1883Shows average fare per kilometer, expressed in French centimes. Source: Railway problems: an inquiry into the economic conditions..., p. 247.
United Kingdom prices 1880-1889
- Food, beer, candles and coal prices, 1740-1865Shows prices paid by Greenwich Hospital in London, p. 148.
- London - Cost of living, 1884Shows living expenses for a man (occupation: printer) with a wife and 3-4 children. Expenditures include food, rent, transportation, school fees, and insurance. Source, p. 917.
- Wheat, meat, potato and coal prices in England, 1740-1882Source: Wages and earnings of the working classes by Leone Levi, p. 149.
- Property values needed for voting rights, early 1880sThe last paragraph on this page discusses the property and rental requirements for voting in England and Wales. Renters paying less than £50 could vote once a year and individuals paying more than £250 could vote six times a year. Part of a larger discussion of government in England and Wales. Source, p. 887
- Ireland - Food, wool and livestock prices, 1880-1885As part of a study to determine the financial burden of rents on Irish tenants, a study was taken up to record prices charged for various meats, wool, dairy products such as milk and cheese, and farm animals. Source: Quarterly Journal of Economics, reprinting tables from the Statist.
- Irish income and rent compared to England, etc. - Mid 1880sMulhall's Dictionary of Statistics (published 1886) shows:
- Average income in Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland
- Rent for working class dwellings in Dublin, London, Glasgow, Paris and other cities
- Cost of living in Glasgow, 1883Prices of the necessities of life in Glasgow are listed including bread, oats, sugar, beef, rice, clothes, and rent. Source, p. 962.
- Cost of living in Leith, 1883Shows the income and expenditures of a workingman in Leith and his work and meals depending on the season. Yearly income is estimated at $407 and expenses include rent, education, food, tobacco, and fuel. Source, p. 993.
- Retail prices of household necessities, 1884The prices of household necessities such as bread, cheese, coffee, sugar, meats, and vegetables are shown in U.S Dollars. The table states the estimated conversion is £1 is the equivalent to $4.86. Source, p. 999.
- Rent for working class in Glasgow, 1886Weekly rent for working class residents in dwellings constructed by philanthropist George Peabody across Europe, including Scotland. Source, p. 157.
- Prices for necessities of life - Wales, 1884Shows price of meat, rice, milk, coffee, soap, boots, and rent. Source, p. 927
- Price of household essentials in Wales, 1884Shows price of tea, sugar, cheese, school fees and more in U.S. dollars. Source, p. 922
- Great Britain - Rent by number of rooms and quality of unit, ca. 1883See detailed description of rental units including number of rooms, along with the cost to rent on pages 450-451. Board and lodging costs are on page 452.
- Cost of living in Great Britain, mid 1880sMulhall's Dictionary of Statistics (published 1886) includes entries for:
- Average income in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
- Average rent per house and per house inhabitant in Great Britain, 1821-1881
- Average rent of farms in England, 1701-1885
- Rent for working class dwellings in London, Dublin, Glasgow, Paris and other cities
- Funeral expenditures in England for paupers, working class, gentry, nobility, etc.
- Cotton goods - Prices in the UK, 1867-1884Table shows the average annual prices (in cents) of cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton cloth in the United Kingdom from 1867-1884. Source: Quarterly reports of the chief of the Bureau of statistics 1884-85, no. 3.
- Workman's budget, 1884-1887Table shows the average budget of a working class man compared fifty weeks of wages. Budgeted items include church donations, food, rent, tobacco, coal, and alcohol. p. 34
- Price of mowing an acre of grass or crops, 1880Small table at the bottom of the page shows the cost to mow an acre of grass, hoe an acre of turnips, and reap one acre of corn. Also compares to the cost of the same service in 1862 based in Northumberland, p. 52.
- Retail prices in Great BritainRetail prices for bread, biscuits, oatmeal, flour, rice, macaroni, beans, peas, lentils, potatoes, beef, mutton, pork, dairy products, eggs, fish, sugar, raisins, currants, prunes, jam, marmalade, tea, coffee, cocoa, beer, vinegar, pepper, tobacco and more. Source: UK House of Commons report published 1903.
- Wholesale prices - Great Britain, 1801-1902Dates of prices vary by product. See sections listing coal and metals, textiles, grains, beans and vegetables, meat, fish and dairy, sugar, coffee, tea, alcohol and tobacco, soap, bricks, cement, and more. Source: UK House of Commons report published 1903.
- Average family budget - 1884This table compares the average yearly total spent by families on 10 different expense categories in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Great Britain, as well as the percentage of that category in the total budget. Source: 3rd Biennial Report of the BLS of Illinois, pg. 333
Quotable facts for the 1880-1889 decade
- The typical work week in the 1880s was 60 hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 hours per day. Source: NBER working paper.
- An 1884 Illinois survey of over 2,000 working class families employed in manufacturing and mining revealed the following:
- Food represented 42% of family expenses on average. 23% of the budget went for rent, heat and light (p. 336 of source)
- Families spent an average $96.83 annually on rent for dwellings which averaged 4 rooms each (p. 336 of source)
- 100% of the Black families surveyed included a mother or child working for extra income (p. 270 of source)
- 20% of workers belonged to a labor organization, paying an average of $6.59 annually in dues (p. 337)
Timeline -- Major economic events of the 1880s
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
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University of Missouri, Columbia
Email: concannonm@missouri.edu
Phone (573) 882-0748
