Ancient history

Who much was the wages of Victorian factory workers?

Victorian factory workers' wages varied widely depending on several factors, including the industry, region, skill level, and age. Here are some general wage ranges for different groups of factory workers in Victorian Britain:

1. Skilled Workers: Skilled workers, such as artisans, craftsmen, and foremen, could earn anywhere from 20 to 50 shillings per week.

2. Semi-Skilled Workers: Semi-skilled workers, including machine operators and mechanics, typically earned between 15 to 30 shillings per week.

3. Unskilled Workers: Unskilled workers, such as laborers and errand boys, usually received around 10 to 20 shillings per week.

4. Women and Children: Women and children were often paid significantly lower wages than men. Women typically earned between 6 to 12 shillings per week, while children could earn as little as 2 to 5 shillings per week.

5. Regional Variations: Wages also varied across different regions of Britain. Industrial centers like Manchester and Birmingham generally offered higher wages than rural areas.

It's important to note that these figures represent average wage ranges and there could be significant variations within each category. Additionally, the purchasing power of these wages varied over time due to inflation.