Jewish Immigrant Wages in America in 1909: An Analysis of the Dillingham Commission Data

Abstract This paper analyzes data from the Dillingham Commission on the weekly wages of Jewish and other white male employees in manufacturing and mining in 1909. Other variables the same (age, location, duration in the United States, marital status, and literacy), Jewish immigrant production workers earned 14 to 20% more than other immigrants, including those of Northwest European/Canadian origin. The Jews reached parity in weekly wages with native-born white men, ceteris paribus, at 4.5 years duration in the United States, after which the Jews had higher wages. Jewish production workers in manufacturing achieved a high level of economic success.