Modal Wage Groups for Selected Occupations, 1906-1909[28]
| Table XII | |
| Occupation | Range of Modal Wage |
| Female | |
| Switchboard operator | $4.00-4.99 |
| Chambermaid | 4.00-4.99 |
| Chambermaid-cook | 5.00-5.99 |
| Chambermaid-laundress | 5.00-5.99 |
| Chambermaid-waitress | 4.00-4.99 |
| Kitchenmaid | 4.00-4.99 |
| Cook | 5.00-5.99 |
| Cook and general worker | 5.00-5.99 |
| Cook-waitress | 4.00-4.99 |
| Cook-laundress | 5.00-5.99 |
| Errand girl | Less than 4.00 |
| General houseworker | 4.00-4.99 |
| Laundress | 4.00-4.99 |
| Lady's maid | 4.00-4.99 |
| Parlor maid | 4.00-4.99 |
| Nurse | Less than 3.00 |
| Pantry girl | 4.00-4.99 |
| Waitress | 4.00-4.99 |
| Dishwasher | 4.00-4.99 |
| Male | |
| Bellman | Less than 4.00 |
| Butler-cook | 5.00-5.99 |
| Waiter | 5.00-5.99 |
| Butler | 5.00-5.99 |
| Coachman | 5.00-5.99 |
| Cook | 5.00-5.99 |
| Elevator operator | 5.00-5.99 |
| Furnaceman | 5.00-5.99 |
| Gardener | 4.00-4.99 |
| Hallman and doorman | 4.00-4.99 |
| Houseman | 5.00-5.99 |
| Janitor | 5.00-5.99 |
The last decade embraces the World War when wages in domestic and personal service were at their maximum. The following tables for selected cities present graphically the increase in wages for male and female domestic workers and the slight increase in wages of females over that of males. These tables also show how wages vary in different sections of the country. Although these figures are for 1920, and the first quarter of 1921, the decline in wages generally did not begin until the fourth quarter of 1920, and it was not so pronounced in domestic and personal service as in many other occupational groups, and was scarcely appreciable in domestic service until the middle of 1921.
Tables XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, and XVII indicate that although wages in domestic and personal service among Negroes have fallen somewhat, they are still far above those of pre-war times. They also show that since the War there has been considerable decline in rates paid men for day work in New York City and Washington, D. C., but very little decrease in the rates for women day workers in either of the two cities.
Any analysis of these tables must take into consideration that female day workers in the cities included in the tables receive their carfare and at least one meal; cooks, general houseworkers, waiters and waitresses, housemen, mothers' helpers, some kitchen help, part-time workers and nurses receive their meals and, in many instances, their quarters.
In this table wages for clerical workers, factory workers, laborers, truckers, butchers, etc., are given in comparison with the wages of domestic and personal service workers. For example: a stenographer receives $18 a week, while a cook receives from $18 to $25 a week and board; a factory girl receives from 25 cents to 30 cents an hour, while a day worker in domestic service receives $22 a week, and a cook receives $25 a week and board.
Weekly Wages of 118 Negro Men in Domestic Service by Specified Occupations, New York City, 1920-1921[29]
| Table XIII | |||
| Occupations | Number Employed | Weekly Wages | |
| Cleaners | 3 | $ .50 per hour | |
| 5 | 3.00 per day | ||
| Cooks | 2 | 15.00-17.99 | |
| 3 | 18.00-19.99 | ||
| 3 | 25.00 or more | ||
| Dishwashers | 2 | 10.00-12.99 | |
| 4 | 13.00-14.99 and meals | ||
| 1 | 15.00-17.99 | ||
| 11 | 18.00-21.99 | ||
| 1 | 26.00 | ||
| Doormen | 1 | 38.50 and meals | |
| 3 | (monthly) | 40.00-79.00 | |
| Elevator operators (apt. house) | 1 | under | 10.00 |
| 1 | 10.00-12.99 | ||
| 11 | 15.00-17.99 | ||
| 1 | 18.00-21.99 | ||
| Elevator and switchboard operators | 6 | 14.00 | |
| 6 | 17.00 | ||
| 1 | 18.00 | ||
| Firemen (apt. house) | 1 | 3.00 per day | |
| 1 | 20.00-24.99 | ||
| 1 | 20.00 and board | ||
| 1 | 30.00 | ||
| Janitors (apt. house) | 1 | (monthly) | 20.00 and apartment |
| 1 | (monthly) | 30.00 and keep | |
| 1 | (monthly) | 40.00 and keep | |
| 1 | (monthly) | 60.00 and keep | |
| Assistant janitors (apt. house) | 1 | 10.00-12.99 | |
| 1 | 15.00 and room | ||
| Porters-apartment houses | 1 | 16.00 | |
| 6 | 18.00-20.99 | ||
| Waiters | 3 | under | 10.00 |
| 18 | (exclusive | ||
| of tips) | 15.00-17.99 | ||
| 6 | 18.00-20.99 | ||
| 7 | 10.00-11.99 |