1. Unskilled Labor:
- Many immigrants worked in low-skilled, physically demanding jobs in industries such as mining, construction, textile mills, and factories. For example, Irish immigrants often labored in canal and railroad construction projects, while Chinese immigrants were commonly employed in mining and railroad work in the western United States.
2. Agriculture:
- A significant number of immigrants settled in rural areas and engaged in agricultural work. Germans, for instance, established farming communities in the Midwest, while Italians found employment in fruit and vegetable farming in California.
3. Garment Industry:
- Many immigrant women found employment in the rapidly expanding garment industry, particularly in cities like New York and Boston. This industry provided job opportunities for large numbers of Eastern European Jewish immigrants.
4. Domestic Service:
- A high proportion of immigrant women, especially Irish and Scandinavian women, worked as domestic servants in middle-class and wealthy households. They performed tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and childcare.
5. Trade and Small Business:
- Some immigrants ventured into business for themselves, opening grocery stores, bakeries, tailoring shops, and other small establishments that catered to their respective communities. German immigrants, for instance, were known for their success in running businesses.
6. Skilled Labor:
- Skilled workers among immigrants found employment in various trades such as carpentry, plumbing, blacksmithing, and masonry. German, Italian, and Scandinavian immigrants had reputations for their craftsmanship and skills.
7. Professional Occupations:
- A small number of highly educated immigrants became professionals, serving as doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and scientists. German immigrants, in particular, contributed significantly to academia and scientific research.