What was a typical American job during the 1940s?

Question

I'm doing an essay and any details would be great. Like the specific job, name of company and place, duties, starting salary and ending salary, hours, and difficulties would be very helpful.

Answer 1

My grand dad worked for the Swift and Armor Meat Packing Company. They canned meat and other meat-related products. It was located in Fort Worth, Texas by the stock yards (convinient having the cows nearby). They later turned the building into the Spaghetti Warehouse. We would go there to eat and my grand dad would point to the various areas of the building and tell us what they used to be. "They slaughtered the cows there...." and etc.

He was a mechanic and he worked on the various machinery. This was before OSHA requirements and safe work practices. He nearly went deaf because of the loud equipment. Now workers would normally have protective ear equipment to muffle the noise. He made quite a bit of money because of the skills necessary and the hazardous work environment. He had a co-worker lose a hand while repairing some equipment.

My grand dad and his family originally lived in Fort Worth but later moved to Carlton, which is about two hours from Fort Worth. So my grand dad would work during the week (M-F) and he would stay in an apartment in Fort Worth. He would only go home on the weekends to see his family.

The link below shows pictures of what the warehouse looks like today.

Answer 2

Depends on what part of the country, educaiton level, etc. There was a lot more farm work than there is now - farms were smaller and family-owned rather than being owned by huige conglomerates. Hours were long, pay was whatever you made selling your produce, eggs, livestock, etc. Difficulties were that the price of those commodities varied wildly with weather conditions, ability to get your inventory to the end consumer, pest invasions, and so on.

The early 40's were also marked by WWII - America's entry into the war coincided with the entry of women into the workforce since many working age men were fighting overseas. "Rosie The Riveter" was more than a recruiting poster - she was the embodiment of women everywhere who went to work in armament factories and shipyards. Companies such as Lockheed, Honeywell, and Northrup Grumman made missiles and aircraft in support of the war effort. The work was physically challenging, the hours were regular, and the wage was better than trying to make ends meet on a husband's military pay. Of course, once the war was over, those women were summarily dismissed from their jobs so that the "breadwinners" could assume them again.

Answer 3

Most jobs in manufacturing were done by women.
Remember WWII? Most able bodied men were in the military.

Most of those were in defense manufacturing.
Shipbuilding, (Remember Rosie the Riveter?), aircraft, tanks, tires, bullets, and any products used in war.
Boots, military clothing, etc. None of this was outsourced back then.

There were no automobiles manufactured from 1941-1945. The last was1941, the first 1946. No new parts were manufactured after 1941. Everyone scrounged the junk yards. Used tires were hard to come by. No new appliances, refridgerators, washers, dryers, etc.

Domestically, leather shoes were rationed, two pair per person per year. Fabric (gaberdine) shoes were plentiful.
Rationing of meat, butter, (1/4 lb.per week), coffee, (about a pound per week), cheese, sugar,
gasoline, (5 gal per week), and other products. Many items in short supply, difficult to buy, bananas, candy, chewing gum, nylon hose, (Most nylon went for parachutes). Jewlery and luxury items carried a 20% luxury tax, to support the war.
I came from WVA, steel, coal, and manufacturing.
I only remember one plant's name, in Bridgeport, OH. Blawknox. They manufactured some bomb components and bullets, sister worked there. Of course, Wheeling Steel, Weirton Steel, U.S Steel, all made defense products.
Many ship builders in NY, CA, and some seaports.

There was lots of overtime with time and a half. Many wages were in the range of $100.00 plus, per week. That compares to $30-35 in 1939-40.

Bear in mind that there wasn't much on which to spend money.