If you worked in manufacturing (as many did during this period of mechanization), you could have expected to make approximately $1.34 a day in 1880, which adds up to $345 annually for an average 257 days of work in a given year.

How much did a horse cost in 1860?

In the west US it was possible to buy a horse for as little as $10, but a decent riding equine cost around $150, with a range of $120 (1861) to $185 (1865).

What does a mill girl do?

By 1840, the factories in Lowell employed at some estimates more than 8,000 textile workers, commonly known as mill girls or factory girls. These “operatives”—so-called because they operated the looms and other machinery—were primarily women and children from farming backgrounds.

What was wages in cotton mills in 1845?

Wages in cotton mills on pp. 299-300 wool, iron and other manufacturing jobs on p. 301. Source: “Wages and prices in 1845,” chapter in Does protection protect?, pub. 1871.

What was the average wage for women in 1850?

Source: 1893 report of the U.S. Congressional Committee on Finance titled “Wholesale prices, wages and transportation.” Federal report states that “the average wages of women in textile factories from 1833-1850 appear to have been $2 a week plus board, which varied from $1.25 to $1.50 a week.”

What was the wage in the textile industry?

Workers were often required to clean their machines during their mealtimes. Low wages – a typical wage for male workers was about 15 shillings (75p) a week, but women and children were paid much less, with women earning seven shillings (35p) and children three shillings (15p). For this reason, employers preferred to employ women and children.

How much money did women make in 1833?

Federal report states that “the average wages of women in textile factories from 1833-1850 appear to have been $2 a week plus board, which varied from $1.25 to $1.50 a week.” Household servants in New York were said to have been paid between $4.00-10.00 per month, according to this congressional report on the history of women in the labor force.