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U N ITED STATES D EPAR TM EN T OF LABO R
Frances Perkins, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Isador Lubin, Commissioner (on leave)
A . F. Hinrichs, A cting Commissioner
+
W age Rates in the California Airfram e
Industry, 1941
By LOUIS M . SOLOMON and N . A R N O LD TOLLES
o f the
Bureau o f Labor Statistics
Bulletin T^o. 704
{Reprinted without change from the Monthly Labor Review, March 1942]
-------------------------------------- N O TE -------------------------------------T o economise in the use o f paper and printing during the
w ar, the Bureau o f Labor Statistics w ill discontinue the
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except w h ere conditions require them.
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WASHINGTON : 1942
For sale by the Superintendent o f Documents, Washington, D. C.
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CONTENTS
Page
ii
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4
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8
CO CO
Summary_______________________________________________________________________
Nature of the industry________________________________________________________
Recent history of wage rates________________________ _______________________
Wage order of 1938_______________________________________________________
Wage-rate revisions of 19 40-41_________________________________ .________
Partial wage standardization in 1941____________________________________
Remaining problems of wage standardization___________________________
Scope of report on wage rates_________________________________________________
Average wage rates in relation to hourly earnings, by region and plant
basic hourly rates______________________
Shift differentials and straight-time rates
Overtime premiums and average hourly earnings_______________________
Effect of employment changes on earnings______________________________
Distribution of straight-time hourly rates____________________________________
Average basic rates by length of required training period, shift, occupation,
and grade_____________________________________________________________________
Basic wage rates for leading occupations and grades__________________________
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20
Bulletin 7\[o. 704 o f the
United States Bureau o f Labor Statistics
(Reprinted without change from the Monthly Labor Review, March 1942]
WAGE RATES IN THE CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME
INDUSTRY, 1941
Sum m ary
DU RIN G the latter half of 1941, minimum hourly rates were stand
ardized in California airframe plants for all workers with 3 months of
service or less. The basic minimum hiring rate is now 60 cents an
hour and this rate advances automatically every 4 weeks in 5-cent
steps until the rate of 75 cents an hour is reached. A large proportion
of the aircraft-assembly workers are beginners or workers with short
periods of service. Consequently, the standardized beginners, rates
of 60 to 75 cents apply to about half of the workers in California
aircraft-assembly plants.
The problem of standardizing the wage rates of experienced air
craft workers remains to be solved. Average basic rates for Cali
fornia airframe workers advance quite consistently according to the
length of training and experience required for any given grade.
However, there are marked differences in the wage rates paid to the
various workers in any individual occupation and grade. The industry
is now attempting to standardize its higher levels of wage rates.
The scales of premium payments for work on afternoon and night
shifts and for overtime work are fairly uniform in the various aircraftassembly plants of California. Workers on the second shift are paid
from 4 to 8 cents an hour more than similar workers on the first
shift. Workers on the third shift are paid the same daily wage as
those on the second shift, but they work for 6K or 7 hours instead of
8 hours. In all plants the rate for overtime work, in excess of
40 hours per week, is 1% times the straight-time rate.
The more experienced workers, who are paid individually the higher
scales of basic wage rates, are employed most frequently on the first
or day shift. Hence, the average differences in basic rates between
shifts are not so large as the standard shift differentials. Day-shift
workers, half of the total, are paid at an average basic rate of 83 cents
1
2
WAGE RATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
an hour. Workers on the second shift, over one-third of the total,
receive an average of 85 cents an hour for straight-time work. The
average for third-shift workers is 99 cents an hour. California airframe
workers as a whole earn an average of 90 cents per hour, including, as
noted above, extra pay for overtime work and for work on extra shifts.
N ature o f the Industry
In the fall of 1941, at the request of the Office of Production Man
agement, the Bureau of Labor Statistics began an intensive survey
o f the earnings of workers in the vitally important aircraft industry.
When completed, the Bureau’s survey will cover factory workers in
engine and propeller plants as well as in airframe plants. The present
report, the first of several related articles, is limited to an analysis of
the rates of pay of employees in nine California airframe plants—
establishments engaged primarily in the assembly of complete
aircraft.
These plants, because of their proximity and the general similarity
of their product, may be considered as falling within a single com
petitive labor market. The remaining west coast plants covered by
the survey are, because of differences in product or physical distance
from the area, much less closely related to the California market for
airframe workers.1
Employment has increased very rapidly because of the vastly accel
erated production schedule occasioned by the Nation’s defense pro
gram. The majority of the newly hired workers have been young
white males. Recently, however, women, who constituted less than 1
percent of the factory personnel at the time of the Bureau’s survey,
have been hired in greater numbers. Very few Negro workers are
available in the area. In August 1941, more than 99 percent of the
employees were white males and their average age was only 24 years
and 8 months.
Recent H istory o f W age Rates
Until recently, the wage policies and resulting wage structure in the
airframe industry of the Pacific coast were unstandardized. Data
collected by the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America
covering the early months of 19382 indicate that individual employees
in west coast airframe establishments received average earnings
ranging from less than 42.5 cents to more than $1 an hour. There was
no outstanding concentration of workers at any single wage level.
Almost equal numbers had earnings in the ranges from 52.5 to 57.5
cents, from 62.5 to 67.5 cents, and from 72.5 to 77.5 cents an hour. In
1938 there was also a wide variation in minimum wage rates paid by
1 For certain purposes it is, nevertheless, useful to consider the Pacific coast airframe industry as a whole.
Tabulations of wage rates for the Pacific coast as a whole are also available, on request, from the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
2 U. S. Department of Labor, Exhibit I, Proceedings before the Public Contracts Board.
WAGE RATES-, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
3
different aircraft plants throughout the United States. These plant
minima, which represent the lowest wage paid to any worker, varied
from less than 22.5 cents to 62.5 cents an hour.
WAGE ORDER OF 1938
A first step toward standardizing wages in the aircraft industry was
taken in December 1938, when the Secretary of Labor promulgated
a minimum-wage order for the aircraft industry under the authority of
the Public Contracts Act. The initial recommendation to the Secre
tary by the Public Contracts Board, following a hearing in March 1938,
provided for a 60-cent minimum. Employment of a limited number
of learners at a 40-cent minimum was permitted. The subsequent
objections of both labor and management representatives illustrate the
diversity of rates which had prevailed in the industry. Labor repre
sentatives pointed to the higher minimum rates already adopted by
some aircraft plants, while management representatives directed at
tention to the significant number of plants whose minimum rates
were substantially lower than the recommended level. After a
second hearing, in September 1938, the Public Contracts Board recom
mended a minimum of 50 cents an hour with no provision or learners,
and an order based on the revised recommendation became applicable
on December 29, 1938, to work to be performed on future contracts
with the Federal Government.
The effect of the Secretary’s order upon wage rates in the industry
was not immediately apparent, either because the various producing
units were working on Federal contracts awarded before the determi
nation, or because additional Government contracts were not awarded
until several months later. However, well within a year, all the
airframe plants in California were working on Federal contracts cover
ed by the act and hence operating on a 50-cent minimum.
WAGE-RATE REVISIONS OF 1940-41
The effective minimum wage in California aircraft plants remained
at 50 cents an hour until after the beginning of the Nation’s defense
program. The importance of aircraft to this program made apparent
the potential increases in the earning power of aircraft manufacturers
and this stimulated an organized movement for higher wages. The
first departure from the 50-cent minimum occurred in August 1940,
when new terms were negotiated for the agreement between the Lock
heed Aircraft Corporation and the International Association of Ma
chinists (A. F. of L.).3 The Lockheed agreement provided, among
other things, for a minimum rate of 51 cents an hour.
3 A 62H-cent minimum had been negotiated by the machinists in 1937 with an airframe company having
a plant on the west coast but outside of California.
4
WAGE RATE®, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
A second union agreement was reached in November 1940 after a
brief strike at the Downey plant of the Vultee Aircraft, Inc. This
second agreement, with the United Automobile Workers of America
(C. I. O.), initiated an important series of upward adjustments in
California by providing for a 55-cent minimum rate, rising to 62 cents
an hour for workers who had been employed for 4 months. Still
higher rates resulted from an agreement between the Automobile
Workers and the North American Co. on July 1, 1941. The North
American agreement, reached after a strike, provided for a hiring rate
of 60 cents and automatic increases of 5 cents an hour after each 4
weeks of service until the rate of 75 cents an hour had been reached.
PARTIAL WAGE STANDARDIZATION IN 1941
With the conclusion of the North American agreement, the wage
levels of the various California aircraft plants were more diverse than
ever. However, within the next 4 months, there followed a further
series of wage adjustments. Under the leadership of the Labor D i
vision of the Office of Production Management, beginners, scales of 60
to 75 cents an hour were established by November 1941 in all the
California airframe plants except the Ryan plant. The union agree
ment with the Ryan company did not expire until the end of 1941, but
in January 1942 the same scale for beginners was established at that
plant. At the end of the year 1941 a uniform minimum-wage scale
was in effect in the 8 leading airframe plants in the California area
for workers with 3 months’ service or less.
The standardized minimum-wage scales for workers having 3
months’ service or less actually apply to a large proportion of the
workers. Because of the magnitude of recent hiring of new employees,
about one-fifth of the California aircraft workers had had less than 3
months’ service in the plants where they were employed in August
1941, and since that time the proportion of new employees has in
creased.
As a result of the adoption of uniform wage scales for beginners,
California airframe plants paid more nearly the same average amounts
per hour to their workers in December 1941 than a year before. The
various plants do not, however, pay equal wages for each type of work.
The general trend of average hourly earnings in individual plants,
during the year ending in December 1941, is shown in chart 1. Omit
ted from this chart are figures from the Long Beach plant of the
Douglas Co., because that plant was not in full operation during most
of the period covered. Also omitted are figures for the Ryan plant
which did not adopt the standardized beginners’ rates during the
year 1941. The other 8 airframe plants are shown by code symbol
WAGE KATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
5
6
WAGE RATES., AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
so as not to reveal individual plant identity. In the case of the
Vultee plant, the November figure for average hourly earnings has
been substituted for that of December because the December average
was abnornal. In all other cases the averages charted are fairly repre
sentative of the months preceding and following those selected for
illustration.
Chart 1 shows the trends of hourly earnings in separate plants from
December 1940 to May 1941, the month just preceding the North
American settlement which introduced the minimum-wage scale of
60 to 75 cents. Thereafter the chart shows the corresponding trends
of earnings to December 1941. Data for intervening months are not
shown because such data would make it possible to identify the figures
for individual plants.
The general trend of hourly earnings was upward from December
1940 to M ay 1941, but there was no marked tendency toward uni
formity among the leading airframe plants. Average hourly earnings
rose in 6 plants (Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8), remained essentially stable in
one plant (No. 1), and fell in the remaining plant (No. 7). Decisive
wage-rate adjustments occurred in 2 of the 6 plants that showed
increases in average hourly earnings during this period. In the
other 4 plants the rise in average hourly earnings resulted from a com
bination of a gradual readjustment of rates, reclassification of indi
vidual workers, increased amounts of premium-rate work, and a re
duction of the proportion of beginners as the average length of service
increased. The maximum range of plant averages narrowed from 17.1
cents per hour in December 1940 to 11.7 cents in M ay 1941. However,
this apparent tendency toward uniformity of average hourly earnings
was entirely due to the upward movement in the lowest wage plant
(No. 8). Among the 7 remaining plants, the range actually widened
from 10.1 cents an hour in December 1940 to 11.7 cents in M ay 1941.
Moreover, the 4 plants whose average hourly earnings had concen
trated within a 2-cent range in December 1940 exhibited a tendency
to diverge in the succeeding months, resulting in a 7-cent difference
between them by M ay 1941.
Between M ay and December of 1941, every one of the 8 leading air
frame plants in California granted general increases in wage rates and
adopted uniform rates for beginners. At the same time a great in
crease in employment occurred, with the result that a large proportion
of the employees of these plants were working at these standardized
beginners’ rates. Under these conditions, average hourly earnings
became more uniform among the various plants. The maximum
range among the 8 leading plants was 8.6 cents an hour in December
1941, compared with an average of 11.7 cents in May 1941 and 17.1
cents in December 1940.
WAGE (RATE'S, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
7
Standardization of average hourly earnings took place as a result of a
closer approach to the ascending average on the part of 3 plants (Nos.
1, 2, and 8). On the other hand, the hourly earnings in 2 plants
(Nos. 4 and 7) diverged from the average in the region.
REMAINING PROBLEMS OF WAGE STANDARDIZATION
Although an approach has been made to uniform earnings in Cali
fornia airframe plants, chart 1 does not indicate that these plants have
adopted standardized wage rates. The figures shown in chart 1
consist of average hourly earnings rather than wage rates. Moreover,
the tendency toward uniformity of hourly earnings has been heavily
influenced by the large proportion of the employees paid at beginners’
rates, based solely on length of service. Once these workers are
classified at rates appropriate to their respective crafts, the result will
depend largely upon whether the various plants are then paying
similar wage rates for each class of work. The occupational analysis
of wage rates which appears later in this article shows that the wage
rates now paid at levels above the beginners, scale of 75 cents an hour
are far from uniform.
Several difficulties remain to be overcome before wages can be
standardized throughout the California airframe division. Foremost
is the question as to what type of standardization is desirable. In the
past it has been assumed that uniformity of basic hourly wage rates
should be attained for workers on the first or day shift with a given
length of service in a given plant. This approach leaves variations in
actual earnings, even among beginners, depending on the amount of
extra-shift and overtime work and the extent of the differentials for
such work. If hourly earnings were standardized, differences would
still remain in weekly, monthly, or annual earnings.
Once a set of basic wage rates is established according to length of
experience, a minor question remains as to who is a beginner. The
California plants have treated nearly all their new workers as begin
ners, but certain workers have been paid higher rates in recognition
of their experience in other aircraft plants or in outside industry.
The problem of establishing an effective method of evaluating the
past training and experience of newly hired workers remains to be
solved.
The standardization of basic wage rates has been limited to workers
with 3 months’ experience or less. Once a worker serves for longer
than 3 months, his wage rate generally depends on his job classification
and upon the procedure of the individual company for reviewing wage
rates and for recognizing various degrees of attainment within the job
classification.
A major problem is that of standardizing the meaning of job titles.
The establishment of a uniform rate for “ assemblers/’ for example,
452269— 42------2
8
WAGE E A T E iS i, AIRFRAME INDTJOTRY, 1 9 4 1
means little unless that term carries with it the same significance
throughout the plant and among the various plants. The California
aircraft industry made a contribution toward the solution of this
problem in July 1941 by the appointment of an intercompany job
classification and rate committee to establish standard job descriptions
and titles. Some 1,100 job titles previously used by individual
plants in the area were resolved into 272 occupational groups and
grades. Each of these grades was described and a scheme of job
evaluation was developed to express the recommended relationship of
wage rates as between occupations and grades.
The results of the work of the job classification committee have not
yet been applied fully to the actual wage structure of the California
industry. Each company may do as it chooses in bringing its job
classification into line with the recommended uniform pattern. Mean
while, between August and October 1941, it became necessary for the
plants whose employees were represented by a recognized trade-union
to reach new wage agreements, and for the other plants to readjust
their wage rates in some relationship to the new wage scales that were
being established in the area. However, it did not prove practicable
for either of the parties to use any uniform set of job titles as a basis
for establishing the new rates. Hence the new agreements took the
form of blanket increases in hourly rates for workers with more than
12 weeks of service. Eight of the 10 plants followed the North
American pattern by granting a blanket increase of 10 cents an hour;
one plant granted a 13-cent increase, while the remaining plant made
no general wage .adjustment during the year. Although the blanket
wage increases were remarkably uniform, this type of adjustment,
by itself, could not equalize wage rates. The blanket increases were
merely added to whatever hourly wage rates had existed in each plant.
Some further approach to uniformity may have been attained, how
ever, by the gradual adjustment of individual rates by each of the
California plants.
Another very recent step was an agreement on 12 wage classes with
recommended minimum and maximum hourly rates for each class.
The minima range from 75 cents to $1.15 an hour and the maximum
rate is $1.40. Each occupation and grade defined by the classifica
tion committee has been assigned to one of the wage classes. The
California plants are attempting to adjust their own wage rates to
the recommended scale. The wage data presented in this article do
not reflect such wage adjustments.
Scope o f Report on W age Rates
As stated earlier, the present report is restricted to an analysis of
the basic hourly rates of workers in California airframe plants. The
material in this report was largely obtained in the course of a much
WAGE RATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
9
broader study of the entire aircraft industry which is in process of com
pletion. The completed study will provide information on hours,
earnings, and employee characteristics of workers in the three chief
divisions of the industry— airframes, aircraft engines, and propellers.
Subsequent reports will deal with these additional data obtained from
the California plants as well as from other areas of the country.
The wage data used in this report were obtained through personal
visits of the Bureau’s staff of field representatives who transcribed
the material directly from pay rolls or other records. The original
survey covered a pay-roll period in August 1941. Among the items
of information secured were the basic hourly rate, shift, hours worked,
extra overtime earnings, total earnings, and certain personnel infor
mation for each of a carefully selected sample of the factory workers
in each of the plants surveyed. The field representatives identified
the occupation of each worker, not only according to the occupational
term used in the plant but also on the basis of the standard job titles
as established by the job classification and rate committee mentioned.
The general rate revisions which have been made since the pay
period covered necessitated an adjustment of the data to reflect cur
rent conditions. The Bureau obtained exact information as to how
the wage revision was applied in each plant, and adjusted the results
of the August study to fit the altered picture. It is these adjusted
rates which are presented in the remainder of this report.
AVERAGE WAGE RATES IN RELATION TO HOURLY EARNINGS, BY REGION
AND PLANT BASIC HOURLY RATES
All workers in the California airframe plants were paid hourly rates
at the time of the Bureau’s survey; piece rates and production-bonus
systems did not exist. The basic wage structure of the California
airframe industry consisted then, as now, of certain hourly rates paid
to workers on the first or day shift. A detailed analysis of these firstshift rates will show how the various airframe plants pay their workers
according to length of service and class of work. For the California
area as a whole, the average rate for first-shift employees in airframe
plants amounted to about 83 cents an hour.4 However, it must be
recognized at the outset that basic hourly rates in the aircraft industry
are considerably lower than actual earnings per working hour. The
reasons for this difference will appear presently.
SHIFT DIFFERENTIALS AND STRAIGHT-TIME RATES
Premium rates for work on the second or third shift were provided
by every California aircraft plant. Nearly half of the factory workers
p <The wage rates presented in this report are those current at the end of the year 1941. In computing
average wage rates, however, the relative numbers of workers of different classes are taken as they were
found in August 1941, at the time of the Bureau’s field survey.
10
WAGE RATES., AIRFRAME INDTJOTRY, 1 9 4 1
in these plants were employed on the second or third shifts. The
scales of premium payments for work on these extra shifts were fairly
uniform throughout the area.
A second or afternoon shift was operated by each of the 9 California
airframe plants, both in August 1941 during the period surveyed and
at the close of the year. In 5 of the 9 establishments, second-shift
workers received 5 cents an hour more than the equivalent first-shift
scale. A premium of 6 cents an hour was received by second-shift
employees in 2 other plants. Premiums of 4 cents and 8 cents, re
spectively, were paid in the 2 remaining plants.
The average straight-time rate of second-shift workers, on the basis
of current wage scales, was 84.6 cents or only 1.7 cents more than the
average for first-shift workers (82.9 cents). The small size of the
general average differential in rates between the first and second shifts
results from the fact that a greater proportion of the workers with
relatively high base rates of pay were on the first shift. The higherpaid employees were generally those with longer service who were
given preference when shift assignments were made.
A third or night shift was operated by 6 of the 9 plants, both in
August and at the close of 1941. In 4 of these 6 plants, the third
shift worked 6}£ hours but received the same straight-time pay as
second-shift workers who. worked 8 hours. The shift differential,
therefore, amounted to a 23-percent addition to second-shift rates.
Taking account of the difference in rates between the first and second
shifts in these 4 plants, it appears that the third shift was paid 30
percent more per hour than the first shift in 2 plants and 40 percent
more in the other 2 plants. In 2 of the 9 plants, third-shift workers
were employed for 7 hours, on a system by which their time over
lapped half an hour on that of second-shift workers. Third-shift
workers in these 2 plants received the same daily wage for 7 hours of
work as the second-shift workers received for 8 hours of work. In
these 2 plants, workers on the third shift were paid 14 percent above
the hourly rates of second-shift workers. As compared with similar
workers on the first shift, the workers on the third shift in these 2
plants were paid 20 percent more per hour.
At current wage scales, the average straight-time rate for thirdshift workers was 99.4 cents per hour actually worked. The differ
ential in third-shift pay for all the plants averaged 14.8 cents or 17
percent above the average hourly rate of the second-shift workers and
16.5 cents or 20 percent above the average hourly rate of the firstshift workers.
In the California airframe industry as a whole, slightly more than
half of the workers were employed on the first shift, somewhat more
than one-third were employed on the second shift, and about onetenth were employed on the third shift. Work on the two extra
WAGE HATES-, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
11
shifts combined was sufficiently extensive to raise the average straighttime rate for all factory workers to 85.3 cents an hour, or 2.4 cents
above the average straight-time rate for first-shift workers alone
(82.9 cents).5
As compared with a regional average of 85.3 cents, the average
straight-time rates ranged from 83.4 to 90.7 cents among the 8 plants
surveyed which granted general wage increases during the year 1941.
OVERTIME PREMIUMS AND AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS
In addition to shift premiums, all the California airframe plants
paid 1} i times the regular hourly rate for work in excess of 40 hours per
week. Six of the 9 plants also paid double the regular rates for work
on Sundays or holidays. Sunday work has been important during
recent months in only 2 of these 9 plants. However, all the plants
have operated with relatively large amounts of overtime work. On
this account, average earnings per hour actually worked in November
1941 amounted to 89.9 cents, or 4.6 cents more than the average of
straight-time rates.
T a b le 1 .— Plant Averages o f Straight-Tim e W age Rates and H ourly Earnings in
California Airfram e Industry , August 1941 , Corrected to Novem ber 1941
Plant
Plant A ......................................................................
Plant B ______________ _____ ___ _______ ________
Plant C ____________________ _____ _______ _____
Plant D .............................. .......................................
Plant E _______________________________________
Plant F .......................................... ............................
Plant G ____ ________________ __________________
Plant H ....... ....................................... ......................
Plant I .......................................................................
Average................................... .............. ...........
Regional average, 9 plants—
Based on November 1941 employment.............
Based on August 1941 employment...................
Average
straighttime
wage
rates1
Average
hourly
earnings
Cents
Cents
(2)
83.4
84.9
85.3
85.6
85.7
86.3
86.4
90.7
(2)
89.1
$4.5
85.3
90.6
91.8
87.3
88.0
93.2
85.3
89.9
85.4
85.3
89.9
89.9
i November rates applied to employment in August.
3Average withheld to avoid disclosure of operations of an individual company.
Aircraft plants paying the highest wage rates do not necessarily
provide the highest average hourly earnings, as may be seen by
reference to table 1. The level of hourly earnings in any given plant
depends on the extent of overtime work in that plant as well as on the
level of straight-time rates. For example, plant I, as shown in table
1, had the highest average of straight-time rates (90.7 cents), but its
* The “ current” average wage rates cited in this section of the report take account of the numbers of
workers employed at each particular rate. If account were taken of the number of hours worked at each
rate, the average straight-time rate would be raised slightly, to 85.5 cents, because of the tendency of the
higher-paid workers to be employed for a somewhat longer period during the week.
12
WAGE RATES., AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
average of hourly earnings (93.2 cents) was exceeded by that of plant
C (94.5 cents). The straight-time rates in plant C were relatively
low (averaging 84.9 cents), but overtime work was so extensive as to
raise hourly earnings by 9.6 cents above the level of straight-time
rates. At the other extreme, plant D used no significant amount of
overtime work in November, with the result that it showed the
lowest average of hourly earnings (85.3 cents), although its level of
straight-time rates was identical with the general average for the
California area.
EFFECT OF EMPLOYMENT CHANGES ON EARNINGS
In any industry, average hourly earnings will be affected by changes
in the composition of the working force, irrespective of what happens
to wage scales. In the aircraft industry, where employment has been
increasing rapidly and irregularly, the effect of employment changes
upon the average level of hourly earnings has been especially marked.
The majority of the new recruits have been inexperienced workers who
are paid the lowest entrance rate. In any month when a large number
of these relatively lower-paid workers are hired, the general average
of earnings will tend to fall. On the other hand, the aircraft industry
follows the practice of advancing the pay of its new workers auto
matically for several months as their period of service lengthens.
This continual advancement of the rates of individual workers tends
to raise the general average of earnings, even though no general
revisions of wage scales are made. The net movement of hourly
earnings over any given period will depend not only upon such general
wage-rate changes as may occur, but also upon changes in the relative
amounts of work performed at the higher- and lower-wage scales.
The hiring of new recruits will tend to increase the proportion of work
at low-wage rates, while the continued employment of workers subject
to automatic wage increases will have the opposite effect.
Chart 2 provides an unusually clear illustration of the shifting
influence on average earnings of automatic wage advances, recruit
ment, and general revisions of wage rates. An employment index
and an index of hourly earnings are shown for a single airframe plant,
covering a period of 11 successive months. Three contrasting periods
are discernible. During the first period of 5 months (month 1 to
month 6), employment was essentially stable and for the first 3 of these
months average hourly earnings rose by 4.1 cents without any general
readjustment of wage rates. As the former workers gained experience
their individual rates were raised. Thereafter a general wage read
justment raised hourly earnings still further. During the second
period of 3 months (month 6 to month 9), this aircraft plant expanded
employment by 60 percent (108 to 172, on basis of index for month
1=100). As a result, the plant average of hourly earnings fell by
WAGE BATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
13
1941
CHART II.
EMPLOYMENT AND AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS
IN A CALIFORNIA AIRFRAME PLANT
EMPLOYMENT
INOEX
II M O N T H S, 1940-41
AVERAGE HOURLY
EARNINGS
CENTS
14
WAGE RATES., AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
4.2 cents. No wage rates were reduced. Indeed, the existing workers
continued to receive automatic increases, but the working force now
included a much higher proportion of new workers who were being
paid the lowest basic wage. In the third period the company again
granted a general increase in wage rates. Within 2 months (month
9 to month 11) the plant average was lifted by 14.1 cents an hour as a
combined result of the wage-rate increase and reclassification of
individual workers. The net increase of 14.1 cents occurred in spite
of the depressing effect on the average of a further expansion of the
volume of employment by 20 percent (172 to 208).
Average hourly earnings in the aircraft industry are influenced to an
important degree by a number of factors besides the rates paid for the
work in a given occupation—notably by the balance of work as
between shifts, the extent of overtime work, the length of service of
the employees, and the proportion of new recruits. The importance
of these various influences on aircraft wages makes it especially
necessary to use care in defining the nature of any wage comparison
that may be attempted. In the following discussion, straight-time
wage rates are used as a measure of aircraft wages. Occupational
comparisons are shown in terms of the basic wage rates for work on the
first or day shift, thus eliminating the effect of shift differentials and
overtime premiums.
D istribution o f Straight-Tim e H ou rly Rates
By itself, the average straight-time wage rate of 85.3 cents an hour,
as currently paid by the California airframe industry, has little
significance. Table 2 shows that the rates paid to individual workers
ranged from less than 60 cents to more than $1,425 an hour. To a
small extent, this wide scattering of individual rates is due to a mixing
of the basic rates of first-shift workers with the rates of workers on the
extra shifts for which premiums are paid. However, column 2 of
table 2 shows that the basic rates of first-shift workers exhibit almost
as great a diversity as do the rates of all the workers in California
airframe plants.
The standardized beginners’ rates of 60, 65, 70, and 75 cents per
hour, as accepted by most of the California industry account for most
of the concentrations of wage rates which do appear among first-shift
workers. By far the most important of these concentrations is that
at exactly 75 cents an hour. Indeed 28.8 percent of all the first-shift
workers were paid this single basic rate.
Not more than 10 percent of the first-shift workers surveyed in
August 1941 had served for 3 to 4 months. Hence, if automatic
wage adjustments had extended over a longer period than 3 months,
not more than 10 percent of the workers shown in table 2 would
WAGE RATES), AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
15
1941
appear at the 75-cent rate. In fact, table 2 shows that nearly three
times as many (28.8 percent) of the first-shift workers were brought
up to exactly 75 cents as a result of the recent general wage adjust
ments. It is thus evident that the blanket wage increases granted
to workers with the longer periods of service left many of them at
a basic rate of 75 cents— no more than is guaranteed on the basis of
length of service alone.
T a b le 2.— Percentage Distribution o f Em ployees in 9 California Airfram e Plants by
Average B asic Rates and Shift, August 1941 , Corrected to December 1941
Average basic rates
All
employees
Under 60.0 cents..............................................................
Exactly 60.0 cents__________________________________
60.1 and under 62.6 cents____________________________
62.6 and under 65.0 cents.... .............................................
Exactly 65.0 cents..............................................................
65.1 and under 67.5 cents..................................................
(9
First
shift
Second
shift
Third
shift
0.2
.1
0.3
4.4
0.5
8.1
.4
2.8
2.3
.8
4.2
.1
67.5 and under 70.0 cents..................................................
Exactly 70.0 cents..............................................................
70.1 and under 72.5 cents..................................................
72.5 and under 75.0 cents____________________________
Exactly 75.0 cents.............................................................
75.1 and under 77.5 cents.................................................
1.7
3.9
.8
1.1
16.5
2.1
1.1
5.8
.2
.4
28.8
1.4
3.0
2.1
2.0
2.6
2.6
3.7
77.5 and under 80.0 cents..................................................
80.0 and under 82.5 cents..................................................
82.5 and under 85.0 cents..................................................
85.0 and under 87.5 cents..................................................
87.5 and under 90.0 cents..................................................
90.0 and under 92.5 cents..................................................
2.4
16.0
4.8
4.4
4.4
4.9
3.5
7.0
3.0
5.9
3.1
3.9
1.3
30.2
8.5
3.5
5.9
7.3
.4
12.0
1.5
.4
5.6
1.4
92.5 and under 95.0 cents.......................................... .......
95.0 and under 97.5 cents..................................................
97.5 and under 102.5 cents.................................................
102.5 and under 107.5 cents...............................................
107.5 and under 112.5 cents...............................................
112.5 and under 117.5 cents. ............................................
5.1
2.9
4.3
3.6
3.4
1.7
2.2
2.7
2.8
3.6
3.1
1.8
2.4
3.1
3.0
2.7
2.4
1.4
28.0
3.6
16.8
6.9
8.3
2.3
117.5 and under 122.5 cents...............................................
122.5 and under 127.5 cents_______________ ___________
127.5 and under 132.5 cents.............. ................................
132.5 and under 137.5 cents......... ................... ..................
137.5 and under 142.5 cents...............................................
142.5 cents and over...........................................................
1.8
1.4
.7
.9
.6
.4
2.0
1.4
.8
1.1
.4
.3
1.6
1.3
.3
.5
.4
.1
1.3
2.3
1.5
1.6
1.7
2.7
(i)
(9
1.6
6.2
0.1
(9
.4
.1
(9
l.i
(9
Total........................................................................
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Number of workers..........................................................
Average basic rate............................... .............................
88,415
$0,853
47,478
$0,829
31,643
$0,846
9,294
$0,994
1Less than a tenth of 1 percent.
Half of the first-shift Workers in California were paid at straighttime rates of more than 75 cents an hour. Among these higher-paid
workers, no considerable concentration appears at any given range of
rates.
A partial explanation of the wide dispersion of wage rates, above the
level of beginners, rates, may be found in the wide variations in skill
required in aircraft-assembly plants. The various skills may be
classified roughly in terms of the duration of training and experience
normally required for a given occupation and grade within that
occupation. Table 3 sets forth the average basic rates of workers
on each shift according to the length of training and experience that
16
WAG® RATE&, AIRFRAME USTDtlSTRY, i 9 4 1
would normally be required for a given occupation and grade, accord
ing to the Report of the Southern California Job Classification and
Rate Committee. Among first-shift workers, average basic rates
ranged from 70.3 cents for those in jobs requiring less than 6 months’
training and experience to $1,124 for those in jobs requiring 4 years or
more of training and experience. Moreover, the average basic rates
of workers on any given shift advanced consistently according to the
length of required experience up to 2 years. Thereafter the differential
in pay for additional experience became less, on the average.
T a ble 3.— Average B asic Rates o f Em ployees in California Airfram e Industry, b y Length
o f Required Training and Shift, August 1941 , Corrected to December 1941
All shifts
Length of required training and ex
perience
Second shift
Third shift
Num
Num
Num
Num
ber of Aver
ber of Aver
ber of Aver
ber of Aver
age
age
age
age
em
em
em
em
ployees rate ployees rate ployees rate ployees rate
All employees-------------- ---------------------- 88,415 $0.853
Less than 6 months___________________
6 months and under 1 y e a r ....................
1 year and under 2 years..... ..........- .........
2 and under 3 years----------------------------3 and under 4 years..... ................ ............
4 years or more.............................. ...........
Other employees t.....................................
First shift
28,019
20,024
11,848
4,345
3,461
3,896
16,822
.750
.813
.861
.998
1.004
1.136
.929
47,478 $0.829
13,978
10,078
6,756
2,532
2,289
2,562
9,283
.703
.773
.841
.984
.991
1.124
.907
31,643 $0,846
9,294
$0,994
10,982
7,596
4,149
1,326
949
1,056
5,585
3,059
2,350
943
487
223
278
1,954
.926
.949
1.005
1.145
1.140
1.295
1.053
.762
.825
.861
.970
1.003
1.122
.922
1Not identifiable by length of required experience by matching with job descriptions of the Southern
California Job Classification and Rate Committee.
Average B asic Rates b y Length o f Required Training P eriod,
Shift, Occupation, and Grade
The length of the required training or experience for any given
occupation and grade does not furnish a complete explanation for the
diversity of wage rates among California workers in airframe plants.
Table 4 shows the average straight-time wage rates, by shifts, in each
occupation and grade for which the Bureau’s pay-roll survey showed
50 workers or more.6 Among the 17 occupations and grades for
which the job descriptions normally call for 4 years or more of training
or experience, first-shift workers were paid average basic rates ranging
from $1.35 for grade A wood-pattern makers to 92 cents an hour
for grade C tool and die makers.
Among the 13 first-shift occupations and grades that required 3 to
4 years of training or experience, the basic rates ranged from $1,085
to 85.4 cents an hour. At the same time, among the 15 occupations
and grades that required 2 to 3 years of training or experience, average
basic rates for first-shift workers ranged from $1.32 to 81 cents an
•In table 4, the occupations and grades are grouped according to length of service normally required.
A similar table showing the occupations in alphabetical order is available on request. For first-shift workers
a table of occupational averages is also available showing separately the averages for employees with less
than 3 months' service and for those with 3 months’ service or more.
WAGE RATES), AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
17
hour. Furthermore, among the 24 occupations and grades, substan
tially represented on the first shift, those requiring from 1 to 2 years
of experience had basic rates covering the whole range from $1.02
to 76.1 cents an hour. The 21 occupations and grades that normally
required 6 months but less than 1 year of training and experience had
basic rates ranging from 91.6 to 69.9 cents per hour. The classes
of employees doing work normally requiring less than 6 months’
experience largely consisted of beginners, and hence their averages
tended to fall in the range from 70 to 75 cents. Yet helpers of general
assembly inspectors had an average base rate of 81.6 cents.
T a b le 4. — Average H ou rly B asic Rates in Selected Occupations in California Airfram e
Plants, b y Length o f Training Period and Shifty December 1941 1
Length of training period and occupation
All shifts
First shift
Second shift Third shift
Num
ber of Aver
em age
ploy rate
ees
Num
ber of Aver
em age
ploy rate
ees
Num
Num
ber of Aver ber of Aver
em age em age
ploy rate ploy rate
ees
ees
88,415 $0.853 47,478 $0,829 31,643 $0,846 9,294 $0,994
All employees.
4
years or more
Pattern makers,wood, grade A .............
Tool and die makers, grade A ........—
Machinists, general, grade A ..........—
Inspectors, tool and die, grade A _____
Form builders, wood, grade A ..............
Milling-machine operators, grade A __
Grinder operators, grade A ---------------Electricians, maintenance, grade A ___
Pattern makers, plaster, grade A -------Inspectors, service and flight, grade B .
Engine-lathe operators, grade A . -------Inspectors, service and flight, grade A .
Inspectors, machined parts, grade A__.
Jig builders, assembly metal, grade A..
Turret-lathe operators, grade A ............
Bench machinists, grade A ---------------Mechanics, maintenance, grade A .......
Inspectors, assembly, final, grade A___
Carpenters, maintenance, grade A .......
Sheet-metal workers, bench, grade A ..
Tool and die makers, grade B._............
Tool and die makers, grade C ..............
99
536
108
119
67
271
60
239
68
52
206
70
54
219
230
59
112
195
118
284
102
108
1.340
1.265
1.258
1.249
1.213
1.191
1.190
1.189
1.177
1.172
1.168
1.167
1.110
1.109
1.108
1.106
1.095
1.092
1.059
1.059
.999
.897
56
75
96
266
52
97
681
95
62
53
72
556
222
147
266
125
60
103
1.181
1.109
1.098
1.050
1.035
1.031
1.007
1.004
1.003
.979
.971
.962
.959
.955
.952
.938
.904
.880
1.352
1.281
1.247
1.244
170 1.206
130 1.153
107 1.176
79
351
87
104
179 1.169
57 1.226
93 1.143
50 1.168
88 1.166
205 1.103
128 1.066
82 1.161
1.067
1.042
1.059
1.047
1.042
.918
69 1.025
75
110
117
181
55
68
75 1.117
S and under 4 years
Shaper operators, metal, grade A .........
Assemblers, precision, bench, grade A_
Metal fitters, grade A .........................
Inspectors, assembly, general, grade A.
Template makers, grade A ...................
Inspectors, receiving, grade A ..............
Assemblers, general, grade A ......... —
Field and service mechanics, grade A ..
Drop-hammer operators, grade A .........
Grinder operators, grade B ...................
Pattern makers, grade B .......................
Jig builders, assembly, metal, grade B.
Milling-machine operators, grade B .__
Engine-lathe operators, grade B ...........
Inspectors, assembly, final, grade B___
Turret-lathe operators, grade B.__.......
Inspectors, detail, grade A ....................
Small tool repairmen, grade A — .........
» Corrected from August 1941 data.
55 1.069
83 1.085
152 1.039
104 1.048
87 1.041
460 .992
77 1.015
181 1.017
54
448
114
53
138
73
.988
.950
.901
.854
.895
.946
103 1.000
79 .972
70 .966
114 .998
52 .927
60
.860
18
WAGE RATES., AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
T a b l e 4.— Average H ourly Basic Rates in Selected Occupations in California Airfram e
Plants, b y Length o f Training Period and Shift, December 1941 — Continued
All shifts
Length of training period and occupation
First shift
Second shift Third shift
Num
Num
Num
Num
ber of Aver ber of Aver ber of Aver-1ber of Aver
em age em age em age em age
ploy rate ploy rate ploy rate ploy rate
ees
ees
ees
ees
2 and under 8 years
Welders, arc, grade A ............................................
Welders, gas, grade A ...........................................
Welders, maintenance and jig, grade A ...............
Electricians, maintenance, grade B ......................
Carpenters, maintenance, grade B........ ...... ........
Painters, aircraft, grade A ------- ---------------------Installers, power-plant, grade A ----------------------Mechanics, maintenance, grade B ............ ...........
Installers, general, grade A .....................— .........
Bench machinists, grade B ------------------------- Punch-press operators, grade A ----------------------Inspectors—assembly, general, grade B -----------Field and service mechanics, grade B --------------Sheet-metal workers, bench, grade B ......... .........
Inspectors, assembly, final, grade C ....................
Inspectors, detail, grade B ...............................
Assemblers, electrical and radio, bench, grade A.
Hydro-press operators, grade A ----------------------Inspectors, assembly precision, grade B .............
Template makers, grade B ................... — .........
Painters, maintenance, grade B ----------------------
107 $1,399
261 1.262
105 1.215
93 1.064
77 1.019
273 1.007
123 .998
202 .986
306 .980
65 .973
92 .960
324 .958
263 .955
518 .929
153 .928
175 .911
138 .899
73 .894
60 .889
173 .853
56 .845
69 $1.324
175 1.245
60 1.205
59 1.051
155 .972
74 1.007
110 .951
216 .966
171
127
264
58
89
94
.939
.907
.904
.810
.882
.880
124
.850
82 $1,290
90 1.003
68
.954
139
.955
200
55
53
.928
.918
.917
50
.878
72
50
.931
.968
70
83
.858
.869
90 $1,058
54 1.049
1 year and under 2 years
Welders, gas, grade B ------------ - ------ --------------Shaper operators, metal, grade B .............. ..........
Tube benders, bench, grade A ............................
Welders, maintenance and jig, grade B ......... —
Installers, hydraulic, grade B_._.....................—
Power-brake operators, grade B ..........................
Form-block makers, wood, grade B .......... ..........
Metal fitters, grade B ...................... ................ .
Assemblers, precision, bench, grade B ................
Form-block makers, metal, grade B -------- -------Tool-crib attendants, grade A ..................... ........
Installers, electric, grade B ------ --------- ------------Power-shear operators, grade B ----------------------Installers, power-plant, grade B --------------------Installers, controls, grade B --------------------------Spot welders, grade B ...................................... .
Inspectors, assembly, general, grade C ...............
Radial drill-press operators, grade B ..................
Riveters............. .........- .......................................
Drill-press operators, grade A ------------------------Drop-hammer operators, grade B .......................
Tank cleaners and testers, grade A .....................
Truck drivers, grade A ........................ ..............
Assemblers, general, grade B ............................. .
Installers, general, grade B ....... ..........................
Painters, aircraft, grade B _______________ ____
Punch-press operators, grade B ....... ...................
Sewing-machine operators, grade A ....... ........... .
Inspectors, detail, grade C..................... .........
Grinder operators, grade C ___________________
Turret-lathe operators, grade C..........................
Profile-machine operators, grade B ___ ________
Jig builders, assembly, metal, grade C...............
Sheet-metal workers, bench, grade C ..................
Mechanics, maintenance, grade C ._ ...................
Milling-machine operators, grade O___________
Engine-lathe operators, grade C ........... ..............
Field and service mechanics, grade C_________
Die finishers, soft metals, grade B ......................
Coverers, fabric, grade A . . . ....... ...................... .
Template makers, grade C .................................
113
73
129
68
84
54
51
228
179
50
151
90
127
178
60
146
157
70
1,289
100
72
70
76
2,480
993
389
261
75
224
80
126
50
1,109
1,091
133
184
80
95
80
125
211
1.069
85
.989
.978
89
.972
.955
.930
.925
.923
97
.921
114
.913
.906
89
.876
65
.876
.876
55
.871
.871
97
.870
66
.869
.867
811
.867
68
.862
.861
.859
60
.858 1,501
.855
527
.846
158
.842
153
.841
.839
106
.835
.835
. 835
.833
671
.828
568
.823
87
.818
57
.818
.807
70i
.804
.801
103;
.784
162!
1.017
.985
.863
.890
.862
.898
.861
.833
.835
71
.836
.841
.761
468
.904
.863
.845
.834
.783
.817
830
328
182
88
.861
.845
.845
.861
.767
73
.835
72
.834
.849
.806
.790
.792
438
443
.808
.837
117
52
.819
.804
.791
.783
.774
6 months and under 1 year
Anodizer, grade A ................................................
Millman, wood, grade B __________ __________
Carpenter, maintenance, grade C.......................
Installers, controls, grade C.................................
Saw operators, grade A .......................................
54:
73i
52!
130i
121
.988
.924
.913
.893
.889
52!
.916
65i .833
531 .867
■
59 1.011
149
138
.974
.961
80
.936
WAGE RATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
19
1941
T a b l e 4.— Average H ou rly B asic Rates in Selected Occupations in California Airfram e
Plants, b y Length o f Training Period and Shift, December 1941 — Continued
All shifts
Length of training period and occupation
First shift
Second shift Third shift
Num
Num
Num
ber of Aver ber of Aver ber of Aver
em age em age em age
ploy rate ploy rate ploy rate
ees
ees
ees
Num
ber of Aver
em age
ploy rate
ees
6 months and under 1 year—Continued
91 $0,886
Molders, aircraft, grade B ____ ___________________
103 .874
Drop-hammer operators, grade C . _______________
52 .873
Forming-roll operators, power, grade B ____________
75 $0,849
123 $0.836
238 .869
Metal fitters, grade C__"_____I__ ________________
100 .836
135 .866
Electricians, maintenance, grade C ________________
160 .876
360 .866
170 .808
Assemblers, precision, bench, grade C ______
98 .858
Router operators, grade A ____!_________ ___ _ _ __
52 $0.966
97 .853
97 .789
246 .852
Spot welders, grade C ..................................................
70 .864
190 .850
110 .816
Installer, hydraulic, grade 0 ................................. ......
50 .840
63 .785
143 .847
Tube benders, bench, grade B ____________________
117 .819
258 .836
111 .818
Drill-press operators, grade B _____________________
109 .834
55 1.024
347 .831
183 .771
Painters, aircraft, grade C ............................................
50 .783
50 .754
120 .821
Welders, gas, grade C __________ _________________
193 1.045
Riveters, grade B .......................................................... 2,632 .817 1,147 .772 1,022 .836
60 .820
145 .810
85 .803
Installers, power-plant, grade C ___________________
725 .809
925 .759
340 .937
Installers, general', grade C .......................................... 1,990 .808
Assemblers, general, grade C............................. ........ 9,840 .808 4,764 .770 3,857 .820 1,219 .917
168 .814
60 .888
248 .773
476 .802
Assemblers, electrical and radio, bench, grade B .......
53 .831
107 .775
178 .802
Bench mechinists, grade C ............. ........................ __
.823
.790
.758
135
225
370
Installers, electrical, grade C ________ ______ _______
103 .784
165 .742
303 .780
Truckers, grade A ________________________________
Oilers, maintenance, grade A _ _ _ _ __
__
55 .774
271 .767
79 .952
433 .699
783 .748
Tool-crib attendants, grade B ......................................
Less than 6 months
Helpers, welder, aluminum_____________ _ _ _ _ _
Helpers, drop-hammer operator.
_ _ _
Saw operators, grade B ________________________ _
Electroplaters, grade B _______ __________ ___
Anodizers, grade B ______________________ _ _ _
Helpers, welder, gas_________________________ _ __
Helpers, spot-welder____________ _______ _ _ _ _ __
Helpers, inspector, assembly, final __ _
_ _ _
Hydro-press loaders (parts handler), grade A _
Helpers, upholsterer
Helpers, inspector, assembly, general
Helpers, metal fitter.....................................................
Helpers, tank cleaner and tester _ _ __ _
Helpers, saw operator_____ ___
___ _____ _ _ _
Janitors, grade A ...........................................................
Helpers, punch-press operator
__ _ _
__
Helpers, drill-press operator _
_____
Helpers, installer, controls _____ ______ ___ _ _ ___
Helpers, power-shear operator________________ ____
Helpers, inspector, receiving _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Sand-blast operator, grade B
______
Helpers, assemblers, electrical and radio, bench. ____
Helpers, draw-bench operator
Helpers, milling-machine operator
Helpers, electrician, maintenance _ _ _
Helpers, tube bender, b e n c h ...________ ____ _ __
Helpers, installer, hydraulic______________ ________
Helpers, template maker_________________________
Drill-press operator, grade C........................................
Helpers, painter, aircraft........... ..................................
Helpers, installer, power-plant- ._ ___ . _________
Helpers, assembler, general..........................................
Helpers, tool-crib attendant
Craters, grade C
_ _ _ _ _ _
Helpers, general............................................................
Helpers, inspector, detail
__ _ _ _ _____
Helpers, power-brake operator
Helpers, riveter.............................................................
Laborers............. ..........................................................
Helpers, sheet-metal worker, bench.............................
Helpers, bench machinist
Coverers, fabric, grade B
Helpers, installers, electrical
__ ___________
_ _ _ ___
Helpers, jig builders, assembly, metal
Helpers, installer, general........ ...................................
Helpers, router operator...............................................
Helpers, assembler, precision, bench...........................
60 .855
145 .839
72
141 .832
55 .824
118 .821
165 .821
80
120 .818
.818
50
195 .808
90
58 .807
70 .804
50
195
445 .797
70 .796
60
111 .790
1,187 .790
477
52
114 .789
175 .783
70
70
160 .777
65
175 .777
55 .775
54 .771
215
460 .770
90 .769
50
56 .761
75 .761
55
185
320 .761
95
205 .760
144
199 .757
243
525 .756
741 .755
418
110 .753
60
7,383 .752 3,926
50 .750
78 .749
521
854 .741
65 .739
75 .739
6,804 .735 2,955
658
920 .734
554
1,131 .733
70 .733
60
66 .728
65
105 .725
460
695 .725
842
1,867 .722
182
363 .722
190
340 .715
70
.799
.768
75
60
.841
.793
.754
65
.787
.816
.726
160
.767
.810
.698
.734
.732
.669
.741
.730
301
.765
65
80
85
.758
.777
.765
175
90 1.002
409
.874
.772
70
.980
. 70l
.709
105
.697
90
.734
55
.698
227
.712
258
.707
.711 3,017
.791
.764
.817
.784
.767
55
65
.899
.978
.776
440
.945
260
.784
73
.893
.677 2,916
.713
208
.692
507
.742
.770
.749
933
54
70
.900
.862
.950
.722
.710
.707
.670
.666
.679
.753
.738
.715
.741
120
80
.959
.859
.699
.720
.698
230
905
101
140
20
WAGE RATES., AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
T ab le 4.— Average H ou rly B asic Rates in Selected Occupations in California Airfram e
Plants, b y Length o f Training Period and Shift, December 1941 — Continued
All shifts
Length of training period and occupation
First shift
Num
Num
ber of Aver ber of Aver
em age em age
ploy rate ploy rate
ees
ees
Second shift Third shift
Num
Num
ber of Aver ber of Aver
em age em age
ploy rate ploy rate
ees
ees
Length of training period not determinable
Leadmen........................... ............................... ..........
Miscellaneous employees:
Final-assembly department..................... ............
Foundry, machine-shop, and drop-hammer de
partment__________________________________
Die, tool, and jig departments..............................
Other production departments................ ............
Engineering department............ .........................
Subassembly department.................................... .
Sheet-metal department....... ................................
Fuselage-assembly department.............................
Wing-assembly department...... ............................
Maintenance department-....................................
Stock and storeroom departments........................
Inspection department.______________________
4,437 $1.112 2,373 $1.106 1,519 $1,082
684 1.035
308 1.016
545 $1.222
__
336 1.020
103 .980
113 1.004
256 1.027
163 1.017
113 1.009
296 1.024
994 .932
686 .917
218 .944
135 .917
50 .952
185 .926
240 .861
286 .890
656 .894
542 .833
1,220 .876
429 .879
534 .831
503 .859
1,147 .864
325 .801
117 .868
537 .854
789 .875
1,317 .845
325 .776
4,638 .807 2,692 .780 1,524 .805
421 .796
80 .876
331 .753
90 1.013
130 .962
249 .964
110 1.053
95 1.020
203 .836
422 .980
,
B asic W age Rates fo r Leading Occupations and Grades
Even for workers who are all employed within a single occupational
group, there is generally a wide variety of basic wage rates in the
California airframe division. Table 5 shows the percentages of firstshift employees in each of 24 leading occupational groups whose
basic hourly rate fell within each 5-cent range. In addition table 5
shows, specifically, the most common basic wage rates used to pay the
workers in each of these 24 occupational groups. The occupational
groups selected for this analysis include those which accounted for
more than 250 first-shift workers each within the California area
during the pay-roll period (in August 1941) surveyed by the Bureau.
The basic rates shown, however, are those in force at the end of 1941.
The occupational groups are arranged in the order of their respective
average basic rates.7
Among the better-paid occupational groups, the diversity of basic
wage was especially marked. Leadmen, for example, with an average
basic rate of $1,106, were found in considerable numbers at basic
rates ranging from 87.5 cents to $1,275 an hour; the most common
rates were 90 cents, $1.00, $1.06, $1.15, and $1.21, but even these
5 rates, taken together, accounted for only one-quarter of the leadmen
employed on the day shift. On the other hand, more than half of
the field and service mechanics, with an average basic rate of 90.8
cents, were found at 4 rates: 75 cents, 85 cents,,88 cents, and $1.11.
The average basic rate for these better-paid occupational groups
seldom corresponded with any specific rate paid to any significant
number of workers.
7 Wage-rate data similar to the data shown in tables 5 and 6 are also available on request, in the form of a
table containing an alphabetical listing of occupations.
WAGE RATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
21
1941
T able 5 .— Percent o f F irsu S h ift Em ployees in Selected Occupations in California
Airfram e Plants Receiving Specified B asic W age Rates, Decem ber 1 9 4 1 1
Basic rate
Electri
Lead- Weld cians,
men ers, gas mainte
nance
Average basic rates.............. $1.106 $1.103
Number of employees........... 2,373
310
$1,050
338
Final
assembly
depart
ments,
miscel
laneous
$1.016
308
Milling- Turretmachine lathe
opera
opera
tors
tors
Inspec
tors,
assem
bly,
general
Inspec
tors,
assem
bly,
final
$0,984
250
$0,961
389
$0,932
306
$0,989
301
Percentage distribution of employees by groups of basic rates
Under 62.5 cents..................
62.5 and under 67.5 cents___
67.5 and under 72.5 cents___
72.5 and under 77.5 cents___
77.5 and under 82.5 cents___
82.5 and under 87.5 cents___
87.5 and under 92.5 cents___
92.5 and under 97.5 cents___
97.5 and under 102.5 cents. _ _
102.5 and under 107.5 cents...
107.5 and under 112.5cents...
112.5 and under 117.5 cents...
117.5 and under 122.5 cents...
122.5 and under 127.5 cents...
127.5 and under 132.5cents...
132.5 and under 137.5 cents.. _
137.5 and under 142.5 cents...
142.5 cents and over________
2.9
0.5
.6
2.5
1.8
8.0
6.8
7.4
16.7
11.4
12.2
11.9
6.6
4.4
3.3
3.6
2.3
0.6
2.2
10.0
1.0
4.5
1.9
.6
13.2
.6
18.2
3.9
5.8
9.7
8.4
16.2
3.2
0.6
11.5
1.8
7.4
3.0
9.2
4.4
15.7
13.6
1.5
11.8
4.7
3.0
11.8
9.8
9.7
3.2
9.7
6.4
3.2
8.4
10.5
6.9
19.6
3.2
6.5
3.3
.6
8.6
4.7
14.3
9.0
7.7
4.0
5.0
10.3
14.6
7.6
10.3
11.6
.4
18.4
16.4
8.0
.4
4.0
20.0
12.0
4.8
2.6
2.6
12.9
9.0
2.8
23.1
7.7
21.0
14.1
3.9
0.3
3.9
.7
19.9
17.7
5.9
15.4
9.8
6.5
10.1
3.3
6.5
.3
4.0
Percent of employees receiving specified principal basic rates
$0.750............... ......................
$0.777....................................
$0.790......................................
$0,825...................................
$0,830 ...................................
$0,900
..............................
$0.970......................................
$0.978.....................................
$1,000
..............................
$1,050
.....................
$1.060......................................
$1,080
. .
$1,090
..............................
$1,100
...........................
$1,150
...........................
$1,180
...........................
$1,210
..............................
$1,300
$1,330
Percent of employees at in
dicated rates...... ......... ......
9.4
9.7
8.3
11.6
8.3
8.0
8.4
10.3
6.5
3.8
4.1
4.8
6.8
7.5
4.4
24.6
42.6
6.5
10.3
6.5
8.0
6.5
7.7
7.4
8.4
9.8
6.5
10.6
7.4
i Corrected from August 1941 data.
11.5
11.8
44.9
10.0
8.0
26.6
44.0
14.6
6.5
43.8
20.6
22.8
22
WAGE BATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
T a b le 5.— Percent o f F irst-S h ift Em ployees in Selected Occupations in California
Airfram e Plants Receiving Specified B asic W age Rates, December 1941 — Continued
Basic rate
Average basic rates...............
Number of employees...........
Mechan
Mechan Assem Paint Tem
Metal ics, field bler, pre ers.
ics,
plate
air mak
main fitters
and
cision,
craft
tenance
bench
service
ers
$0,932 $0,913
272
303
$0,908
274
$0,878 $0,838 $0,836
339.
196
328
Other pro
ductive
Instal
depart
lers,
ments not
elec
elsewhere
trical
classified
$0,835
6,271
$0,813
316
Percentage distribution of employees by groups of basic rates
Under 62.5 cents............... .
62.5 and under 67.5 cents___
67.5 and under 72.5 cents___
72.5 and under 77.5 cents___
77.5 and under 82.5 cents___
82.5 and under 87.5 cents___
87.5 and under 92.5 cents___
92.5 and under 97.5 cents___
97.5 and under 102.5 cents__
102.5 and under 107.5cents...
107.5 and under 112.5 cents...
112.5 and under 117.5cents...
117.5 and under 122.5 cents...
122.5 and under 127.5 cents...
127.5 and under 132.5cents...
132.5 and under 137.5cents...
137.5 and under 142.5 cents...
142.5 cents and over. ............
0.7
0.4
3.7
11.4
7.0
10.6
12.9
17.0
11.8
5.5
13.1
2.2
3.7
1.0
.3
13.2
12.9
22.5
11.9
5.6
6.9
11.2
5.9
8.3
.3
3.6
17.5
10.6
16.5
14.6
3.3
5.1
10.9
13.9
.4
1.5
1.5
20.6
13.4
21.9
10.3
11.8
4.4
2.9
5.9
2.9
2.9
1.0
6.2
4.2
24.3
18.6
7.0
15.0
10.9
2.6
4.2
6.0
4.3
3.0
.9
20.2
27.5
10.6
13.7
11.6
.3
4.6
.3
1.5
3.6
1.5
5.3
3.9
7.1
33.5
12.2
8.1
9.3
5.1
2.1
3.0
3.3
1.4
1.7
1.3
.4
.8
.5
1.0
9.5
3.2
3.2
35.1
9.4
6.3
15.8
6.3
3.5
1.3
3.2
3.2
Percent of employees receiving specified principal basic rates
$0.600......................................
$0,700 .................... ...............
$0.750____ _____ __________
$0.800......................................
$0.810......................................
$0.820.....................................
$0.850......................................
$0.860......................................
$0.880.................... .................
$0.900......................................
$0.940......................................
$0.950......................................
$1.110............................ .........
Percent of employees at in
dicated rates.......................
11.4
13.2
17.5
14.7
9.9
11.2
9.9
16.1
5.9
7.4
14.7
19.5
14.6
4.8
5.2
29.7
32.0
4.4
5.1
9.5
6.3
10.9
8.1
7.4
6.6
36.8
24.2
34.3
51.1
9.5
9.5
5.9
48.6
24.2
34.1
49.2
66.8
WAGE RATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
23
1941
T a ble 5. — Percent o f F irst-S h ift Em ployees in Selected Occupations in California
Airfram e Plants Receiving Specified B asic W age Rates, December 1941 — Continued
Basic rate
Average basic rates________
Number of employees______
Assem
blers,
electrical
and
radio
Inspec
tion
depart
ments,
miscel
laneous
$0,802
342
$0,753
331
Jig
Drillbuilders’ Help Helpers
press Labor Painters’
helpers,
ers,
not else
helpers,
assem
gen
opera
where
ers
aircraft
eral classified
tors
bly,
metal
$0,740 $0.713
422 | 658
$0,712
418
$0,707 $0,698
521
460
$0,698
10,812
Percentage distribution of employees by groups of basic rates
Under 62.5 cents___________
62.5 and under 67.5 cents___
67.5 and under 72.5 cents___
72.5 and under 77.5 cents___
77.5 and under 82.5 cents___
82.5 and under 87.5 cents___
87.5 and under 92.5 cents___
92.5 and under 97.5 cents___
97.5 and under 102.5 cents__
102.5 and under 107.5 cents. _
107.5 and under 112.5 cents. _
112.5 and under 117.5 cents. _
117.5 and under 122.5 cents..
122.5 and under 127.5 cents. _
127.5 and under 132.5 cents. _
132.5 and under 137.5 cents..
137.5 and under 142.5 cents..
142.5 cents and over________
5.8
4.4
35.2
20.5
14.0
8.5
5.8
2.9
2.9
18.2
42.4
12.1
3.0
3.0
2.4
15.2
3.5
13.3
42.8
7.1
12.1
4.8
1.2
6.3
.6
.3
3.3
.6
6.0
1.5
.3
31.5
4.6
8.2
37.1
8.2
4.7
4.0
1.5
.2
11.5
17.9
13.2
52.6
4.8
30.5
5.4
5.4
38.1
20.6
27.1
18.2
9.8
28.2
8.1
6.7
1.9
24.8
9.7
14.7
45.7
3.4
1.1
.5
(*>
.1
Percent of employees receiving specified principal basic rates
$0,575
.................
$0 600......................................
$0,633
. .
$0,650
_____
$0,690
.........
$0,700
................
$0.750..................... ................
$0,760
................. .
$0,775
.........
$0,790
........................
$0,810
..............
$0,825
.....................
$0,830
.......
$0,850
.................
$0,900
...........................
$1.060
Percent of employees at in*
rat-ps
18.1
42.3
14.7
12.1
12.6
41.7
35.1
17.9
18.2
9.0
8.1
37.2
13.2
49.0
3.6
9.8
28.2
12.1
41.8
4.4
62.2
29.3
6.5
24.6
23.7
9.6
4.6
5.8
7.6
6.5
6.1
5.8
11.1
30.4
31.2
4.7
7.1
4.8
6.0
78.5
80.8
87.2
93.3
80.3
85.6
86.6
* Less than a tenth of 1 percent.
Among the lower-paid occupational groups, beginning with elec
trical installers whose average rate was 81.3 cents, there was a con
siderably greater standardization of rates. This greater uniformity
was largely the result of the large proportion of workers in these
lower-paid occupations who are considered to be beginners. The
importance of the beginners’ rates of 60, 65, 70, and 75 cents will be
noted in each of the last 9 occupations shown in table 5. More than
four-fifths of the various groups of laborers and helpers were at the
four beginners’ rates.
24
WAGE RATES', AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
Differences in grade within an occupation account, in part, for the
variety of basic rates among workers who have the same job title.
The job classification of the California rate committee, which was
used in grouping the airframe workers into occupational classes,
distinguishes two or three grades of workers within almost every
occupation. For example, the grade A tool and die maker is dis
tinguished from other tool and die makers by being required .to have
the ability to lay out complicated tools from prints or sketches, to
complete such information as is lacking in the sketch, and to work to
tolerances of 0.0005 inch when required. The average basic rate for
grade A tool and die makers was $1.28 as compared with averages of
$1.04 and 91.8 cents for grades B and C.
More than 250 first-shift workers were found in the California area
in each of 14 specific grades of 8 leading occupations, as follows:
Grade
B,C.
Assemblers, general________________ A,
Installers, general__________________ B, C.
Janitors_____________________________ A.
Jig builders, assembly, m etal_____B, C.
Riveters____________________________ A, B.
Sheet-metal workers, bench_____ B, C.
Tool and die makers_______________ A.
Tool crib attendants-.......... ........... B.
For each of these 14 grades of workers, table 6 shows a percentage
distribution of employees by groups of rates and the percentage of
employees who receive each of the more common rates. Similar
information given in table 5 was confined to occupational groups
with an insufficient number of workers to permit splitting into separate
grades. Hence the list of occupations included in table 6 does not
duplicate the occupations covered in the preceding table.
Much greater uniformity of basic wage rates is naturally to be
found among workers of a specific grade than among the combination
of grades that make up an occupation. Thus, the most common
basic rates paid to grade A assemblers were 95 cents, 97 cents, $1.00,
$1.03, and $1.06. By contrast the highest basic rate paid to any
considerable group of grade B or grade C assemblers was 85 cents.
Uniformity of basic wage rates does not yet exist in the California
airframe industry, even for workers of the same grade and occupation.
Such standardization as may appear at rates of 75 cents an hour or
less is largely determined by the length of service of the employee
rather than his occupation. Rates of more than 75 cents spread over
a wide range. An exceptional case shown in table 6 is that of grade A
riveters, over half of whom were paid basic rates of 81 to 84 cents.
The more usual situation is typified by the grade B sheet-metal
workers, whose rates ranged from 72.5 cents to more than $1,075.
Only one rate, that of 94 cents, had any outstanding importance and
only 15.2 percent of the workers were paid at that rate. Within
WAGE RATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
25
1941
individual plants the basic rates for grade B sheet-metal workers
varied by as much as 20 cents an hour. Among the 9 airframe plants
the minimum basic rates for this grade of work ranged from 75 to
91 cents while the highest rates in the various individual plants ex
tended from 86 cents to $1.10. Some of the variety of rates within
the separate plants may be attributed to payment for differences in
attainment by workers of the same occupation and grade. However,
the broad differences that appear among the different plants is evi
dence that the wage rates in the California aircraft industry are still
far from uniform.
T able 6.— Percentages o f F irst-Shift Em ployees in Selected Occupations and Grades in
California Airfram e Plants* Receiving Specified Basic Wage Rates, December 1 9 4 1 1
Basic rate
Average basic rates___ _______
Number of employees............ __
Tool
and die
makers,
grade A
$1.281
351
SheetJig
Jig
Assem builders,
metal
builders, Assem
blers, assembly, workers,
blers,
assembly,
general,
general,
bench,
metal,
metal,
grade A grade
grade
B
B grade B grade C
$0.992
460
$0.950
448
$0,904
264
$0,849
671
Riveters,
grade A
$0,845
1,501
$0,841
811
Percentage distribution of employees by groups of basic rates
Under 62.5 cents. ......................
62.5 and under 67.5 cents______
67.5 and under 72.5 cents...........
72.5 and under 77.5 cents...........
77.5 and under 82.5 ce n ts _____
82.5 and under 87.5 cents...........
87.5 and under 92.5 cents...........
92.5 and under 97.5 cents..........
97.5 and under 102.5 cents.........
102.5 and under 107.5 cents.......
107.5 and under 112.5 cents.......
112.5 and under 117.5 cents____
117.5 and under 122.5 cents____
122.5 and under 127.5 cents____
127.5 and under 132.5 cents.......
132.5 and under 137.5 cents.......
137.5 and under 142.5 ce n ts ___
142.5 cents and over....... ...........
0.3
.3
5.7
4.6
13.7
17.9
17.7
27.0
11.4
1.4
0.4
.4
1.3
7.4
38.9
26.1
17.4
5.7
.2
2.2
1.1
.9
3.8
7.1
11.9
9.8
17.9
25.0
12.3
3.1
4.9
2.2
8.7
9.8
17.8
17.8
25.0
9.5
7.6
3.8
0.6
1.0
5.2
16.2
16.9
20.1
21.6
7.8
4.6
3.0
3.0
0.3
.4
18.7
16.3
27.0
22.6
12.0
1.4
1.0
.3
9.7
40.9
28.5
9.1
9.2
1.4
1.2
Percent of employees receiving specified principal basic rates
$0.750................... ................... .
$0.775..........................................
$0.800............................. .............
$0.810..........................................
$0.820..........................................
$0.825___ ____________________
$0.830............................. .......... .
$0,840.........................................
$0.850.................................. ........
$0.880....... ............ ...... ..............
$0.940....... ..................... ............
$0.950.............. ........................ .
$0.970................... ......................
$1.000.........................................
$1.030..................................... .
$1.050..........................................
$1.060..........................................
$1.200..........................................
$1.230............................. ............
$1.300..........................................
$1.360......... ............ ......... ..........
$1.400................................ .
6.6
5.7
15.7
18.5
8.5
Percent of employees at indi
cated rates.................... ........
55.0
1Corrected from August 1941 data.
14.8
18.5
7.1
8.1
10.4
9.7
7.5
15.2
12.0
19.6
18.5
4.3
4.3
58.7
7.6
13.4
12.0
53.7
55.4
9.6
13.6
24.8
12.3
8.6.
20.1
7.4
27.5
15.2
68.9
26
WAGE RATES, AIRFRAME INDUSTRY,
1941
T a b le 6.— Percentages o f F irst-S h ift Em ployees in Selected Occupations and Grades in
California Airfram e Plants, Receiving Specified B asic W age Rates, December 1941 — Con.
Basic rate
Average hasie rates.. _ __.
Number of employees________
Instal
lers,
general,
grade B
$0,834
527
SheetRiveters,
metal
workers, grade B
grade C
Assem
blers,
general,
grade C
Instal
lers,
general,
grade O
Janitors,
grade A
$0,772
1,417
$0,770
4,764
$0.759
925
$0,734
477
$.0806
568
Toolcrib
attend
ants,
grade B
$0,699
433
Percentage distribution of employees by groups of basic rates
Under 62.5 cents____________ _
62.5 find under 67.5 cents...........
67.5 and under 72.5 cents______
72.5 and under 77.5 cents...........
77.5 and under 82.5 cents...........
82.5 and under 87.5 cents...........
87.5 and under 92.5 cents______
92.5 and under 97.5 cent.*?
97.5 and under 102.5 counts___
102.5 and under 107.5 cents__
107.5 and under 112.5 cents__
112.5 and under 117.5 cents__ _
117.5 and under 122.5 cents __
122.5 and under 127.5 cents .
127.5 and under 132.5 cents__
132.5 and under 137.5 cents _
137.5 and under 142.5 cents __
142.5 cents and over__________
1.9
32.2
6.5
22.1
21.2
15.2
.9
0.2
3.2
3.9
28.8
26.9
21.6
13.4
.2
1.3
1.8
2.5
55.8
23.7
i2.4
1.8
.7
1.8
1.8
7.2
8.9
43.8
18.1
13.9
5.3
.6
.2
2.2
6.4
8.6
50.9
18.9
11.9
1.1
11.5
3.6
18.0
48.9
10.9
2.9
4.2
31.7
6.4
8.5
45.6
5.5
2.3
.2
Percent of employees receiving specified principal basic rates
$0.600..........................................
$0,650 .......
..............
$0.700..........................................
$0.750..........................................
$0,790 .........................................
$0.810............ .............................
$0.820..........................................
$0.830..........................................
$0.850..........................................
$0.900..........................................
$0.925..........................................
$0.940..........................................
Percent of employees at indi
cated rates_________________
32.3
15.6
8.3
5.7
5.7
67.6
28.3
10.6
14.1
8.8
8.8
70.6
55.5
9.5
3.5
7.8
6.1
8.2
43.6
10.5
8.6
50.8
7.6
10.3
10.3
7.8
5.6
9.7
84.1
73.8
67.0
15.9
45.7
31.4
6.0
6.0
43.2
72.1
86.6