After World War II, the United States as a whole grew wealthier and more technologically advanced, leading to shifts in the labor market. The country was in a very different place than it had been during the 1940 census. In 1950, unemployment was down, more Americans had money in their pockets, and the government invested in helping returning veterans. The 469 occupation categories listed in the 1950 census reflect these changes.

After World War II, the United States as a whole grew wealthier and more technologically advanced, leading to shifts in the labor market. The country was in a very different place than it had been during the 1940 census. In 1950, unemployment was down, more Americans had money in their pockets, and the government invested in helping returning veterans. The 469 occupation categories listed in the 1950 census reflect these changes.

World War II Created Jobs and Opened Opportunities for Women

World War II Created Jobs and Opened Opportunities for Women

The Great Depression finally ended when the United States mobilized for World War II. Factories ramped up production and millions of Americans found work. Wartime rationing meant that there wasn't much to buy with their paychecks, so Americans could save money. This helped fuel consumer spending after the war.

The Great Depression finally ended when the United States mobilized for World War II. Factories ramped up production and millions of Americans found work. Wartime rationing meant that there wasn't much to buy with their paychecks, so Americans could save money. This helped fuel consumer spending after the war.

World War II brought women into the workforce as never before. With men off fighting, women had to take their jobs in offices and production lines. Six million women worked in factories, and many worked for the government. Some even had top-secret jobs as codebreakers or working on the Manhattan Project. Although many of their jobs went back to men after the war, women proved that they were good workers and became common workers in offices in the years to come.

World War II brought women into the workforce as never before. With men off fighting, women had to take their jobs in offices and production lines. Six million women worked in factories, and many worked for the government. Some even had top-secret jobs as codebreakers or working on the Manhattan Project. Although many of their jobs went back to men after the war, women proved that they were good workers and became common workers in offices in the years to come.

According to data in the 1950 census, women accounted for almost 28% of employed people in the U.S., up from 24.3% in 1940. They made up a majority of clerical workers, which include typists and secretaries, as well as private household workers. But they also grew as a share of people working in professional and technical jobs, like accountants, chemists, engineers, and instructors.

According to data in the 1950 census, women accounted for almost 28% of employed people in the U.S., up from 24.3% in 1940. They made up a majority of clerical workers, which include typists and secretaries, as well as private household workers. But they also grew as a share of people working in professional and technical jobs, like accountants, chemists, engineers, and instructors.

The G.I. Bill Spurred a Construction Boom

The G.I. Bill Spurred a Construction Boom

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, better known as the G.I. Bill. Aimed at veterans returning from World War II, it helped many—but not all—get jobs, go to college, and buy homes.

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, better known as the G.I. Bill. Aimed at veterans returning from World War II, it helped many—but not all—get jobs, go to college, and buy homes.

Over the next 10 years, the government guaranteed millions of home loans to veterans, leading to a construction boom. Veterans bought 20% of homes built after the war. This led to significant growth in construction jobs. In 1950, the country had over a million carpenters, up more than 30% from 1940. The number of electricians, stonemasons, roofers, and decorators increased too.

Over the next 10 years, the government guaranteed millions of home loans to veterans, leading to a construction boom. Veterans bought 20% of homes built after the war. This led to significant growth in construction jobs. In 1950, the country had over a million carpenters, up more than 30% from 1940. The number of electricians, stonemasons, roofers, and decorators increased too.

Despite the benefits of the G.I. Bill, not everyone benefited equally. Some 1.2 million Black veterans were denied benefits, whether overtly or more covertly, due to segregation laws or racial intimidation. Many Mexican-American and Japanese-Americans veterans also faced discrimination and didn’t experience the same prosperity from the bill as their white counterparts.

Despite the benefits of the G.I. Bill, not everyone benefited equally. Some 1.2 million Black veterans were denied benefits, whether overtly or more covertly, due to segregation laws or racial intimidation. Many Mexican-American and Japanese-Americans veterans also faced discrimination and didn’t experience the same prosperity from the bill as their white counterparts.

The Country Urbanizes and White-Collar Jobs Increase

The Country Urbanizes and White-Collar Jobs Increase

As many families moved to suburbs, the country became increasingly urban. In 1940, 56% of the population lived in urban areas; in 1950, 64% did. Employment trends reflect this rural-to-urban shift.

As many families moved to suburbs, the country became increasingly urban. In 1940, 56% of the population lived in urban areas; in 1950, 64% did. Employment trends reflect this rural-to-urban shift.

Between 1940 and 1950, the number of farm workers decreased by 23% and laborers by 20%. But other forms of manual work were still in demand. After the war, people were ready to spend some of their savings on cars or appliances, fueling the consumer economy. Jobs for mechanics and repairmen boomed, especially for those who could fix airplanes, cars, radios, and televisions. More Americans worked in retail jobs selling furniture, clothing, cars, and auto accessories.

Between 1940 and 1950, the number of farm workers decreased by 23% and laborers by 20%. But other forms of manual work were still in demand. After the war, people were ready to spend some of their savings on cars or appliances, fueling the consumer economy. Jobs for mechanics and repairmen boomed, especially for those who could fix airplanes, cars, radios, and televisions. More Americans worked in retail jobs selling furniture, clothing, cars, and auto accessories.

White-collar jobs were up 34% in 1950, accounting for over a third of occupations in the country. These included office managers, accountants, engineers, salesclerks, secretaries, and telephone operators. This growth reflects advances in mechanization and technology, as well as an increased emphasis on research and record-keeping. Computers were still in their infancy, so the census didn't collect data on people working in the field. However, people listed as technical engineers or office-machine operators may have been involved with early technology.

White-collar jobs were up 34% in 1950, accounting for over a third of occupations in the country. These included office managers, accountants, engineers, salesclerks, secretaries, and telephone operators. This growth reflects advances in mechanization and technology, as well as an increased emphasis on research and record-keeping. Computers were still in their infancy, so the census didn't collect data on people working in the field. However, people listed as technical engineers or office-machine operators may have been involved with early technology.

What You Can Find in the 1950 U.S. Census

What You Can Find in the 1950 U.S. Census

The 1950 census includes a wealth of employment information. It asked every person age 14 and older detailed questions about their occupation: type of job and industry, if they had worked in the past week, how many hours they worked in the past week.

The 1950 census includes a wealth of employment information. It asked every person age 14 and older detailed questions about their occupation: type of job and industry, if they had worked in the past week, how many hours they worked in the past week.

About 20% of households answered a supplemental questionnaire that covered more granular information. These included how long an unemployed person had been looking for work; how many weeks did someone work in the past year; how much money they earned from a job, investments, or other sources; and any paychecks that other relatives in the household brought in.

About 20% of households answered a supplemental questionnaire that covered more granular information. These included how long an unemployed person had been looking for work; how many weeks did someone work in the past year; how much money they earned from a job, investments, or other sources; and any paychecks that other relatives in the household brought in.

If your ancestors didn't answer extra questions, you can still use the supplement to discover clues about their lives. Look up what other people in the neighborhood or town earned at similar jobs. For instance, if your grandmother was a nurse, check the income of other nurses nearby.

If your ancestors didn't answer extra questions, you can still use the supplement to discover clues about their lives. Look up what other people in the neighborhood or town earned at similar jobs. For instance, if your grandmother was a nurse, check the income of other nurses nearby.

How Much Did Your Relatives Make?

How Much Did Your Relatives Make?

The census found that the median annual income in 1950 was $3,000 (about $35,400 today). The median income was $3,136 ($37,000 today) for white families and $1,569 ($18,500 today) for nonwhite families, who may have experienced discrimination or racial biases in employment opportunties prevelant at the time. While these salaries might seem low, remember that many things were less expensive in 1950: the median home value, for instance, was $7,354 ($87,000 today).

The census found that the median annual income in 1950 was $3,000 (about $35,400 today). The median income was $3,136 ($37,000 today) for white families and $1,569 ($18,500 today) for nonwhite families, who may have experienced discrimination or racial biases in employment opportunties prevelant at the time. While these salaries might seem low, remember that many things were less expensive in 1950: the median home value, for instance, was $7,354 ($87,000 today).

Income varied widely by occupation. Families headed by doctors, lawyers, and other professionals had a median income of $7,400 ($87,400). Managers and other officials brought in $5,200 ($61,400). About a third of families were headed by people the census classified as sales workers, nonfarm proprietors, craftsmen, foremen, and clerical workers; these groups earned between $3,800 and $4,100 a year ($44,900 to $48,400). Farming families had a median income of $2,000 ($23,600).

Income varied widely by occupation. Families headed by doctors, lawyers, and other professionals had a median income of $7,400 ($87,400). Managers and other officials brought in $5,200 ($61,400). About a third of families were headed by people the census classified as sales workers, nonfarm proprietors, craftsmen, foremen, and clerical workers; these groups earned between $3,800 and $4,100 a year ($44,900 to $48,400). Farming families had a median income of $2,000 ($23,600).

Discover Stories About Your Family in the Postwar Years

Discover Stories About Your Family in the Postwar Years

Ever wonder what your ancestors did for a living? Or how much they earned in a year? It’s easy to find out details like these, and more, when you search the 1950 U.S. Census for free on Ancestry®.

Ever wonder what your ancestors did for a living? Or how much they earned in a year? It’s easy to find out details like these, and more, when you search the 1950 U.S. Census for free on Ancestry®.

Sources:

"1950 Census of Population: Advance Reports." United States Census Bureau. July 1953. Accessed June 16, 2022.
  https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/pc-14/pc-14-18.pdf.

"75 Years of the GI Bill: How Transformative It’s Been." U.S. Department of Defense. January 9, 2019. Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1727086/75-years-of-the-gi-bill-how-transformative-its-been/.

"Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945, Overview." Library of Congress. Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/great-depression-and-world-war-ii-1929-1945/overview/.

"Research Starters: Women in World War II." The National WWII Museum. Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/research-starters-women-world-war-ii.

“Income of Families and Persons in the United States: 1950.” Current Population Reports, Consumer Income. United States Census Bureau. March 25, 1952. Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/1952/demographics/p60-09.pdf.

“Index of Questions: 1950 (Population).” United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/index-of-questions/1950-population.html.

“U.S. Cities Factsheet.” Center for Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan. 2021. Accessed June 16, 2022.
https://css.umich.edu/factsheets/us-cities-factsheet.

Blakemore, Erin. "How the GI Bill's Promise Was Denied to a Million Black WWII Veterans." History.com. June 21, 2019. Accessed June 16, 2022.  
https://www.history.com/news/gi-bill-black-wwii-veterans-benefits.

CPI Inflation Calculator. Data Tools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl.

Kaplan, David L. and M. Claire Casey. “Occupational Trends in the United States, 1900-1950.” United States Census Bureau. 1958. Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/1958/demographics/occupational-trends-1958.pdf.

Lantero, Allison. "How Women Helped Build the Atomic Bomb." U.S. Department of Energy. March 7, 2018. Accessed June 16, 2022. 
https://www.energy.gov/articles/how-women-helped-build-atomic-bomb

Makamson, Collin. "'It’s Your America:' The 1940 Census Today." The National WWII Museum. May 21, 2020. Accessed June 16, 2022.
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/1940-united-states-census.

Pruitt, Sarah. "The Post World War II Boom: How America Got Into Gear. History.com. May 14, 2020. Accessed June 16, 2022.
https://www.history.com/news/post-world-war-ii-boom-economy

Rutzick, Max and Sol Swerdloff. "The Occupational Structure of U.S. Employment, 1940-60." Monthly Labor Review, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, JSTOR. November 1962. Accessed June 16, 2022
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41834883.

Unemployment Rate for United States, FRED Economic Data, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. December 1966. Accessed June 16, 2022.
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/M0892CUSM156NNBR.

Wei-Haas, Maya. "How the American Women Codebreakers of WWII Helped Win the War." Smithsonian Magazine. October 5, 2017. Accessed June 16, 2022.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-women-codebreakers-wwii-helped-win-war-180965058/.

Wyatt, Ian D. and Daniel E. Hecker. "Occupational changes during the 20th century." Monthly Labor Review, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. March 2006. Accessed June 16, 2022.
https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2006/03/art3full.pdf.