Old-fashioned jobs making a comeback in modern America
lovemoney staff
21 February 2023
Careers coming back
After decades of technological advancements that have made our lives ‘go digital’ many younger people, often with college degrees, are turning their backs on tech to pursue more traditional careers. These new entrepreneurs are capitalizing on the wealth of their city peers with large disposable incomes and an interest in artisanal goods. Read on to see some of the most popular old-fashioned jobs making a comeback.
Farmer
The sustainable food movement has been gaining ground recently as more and more people become concerned about what they eat and where it comes from. In a direct response many smaller farms and producers are springing up, in urban centers in particular, to offer fresh produce to American city-dwellers who have struggled to access it easily in the past.
Farmer
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In 2020 sales of organic food in the USA rose to $56.6 billion. This has presented a valuable opportunity for smaller and independent farmers.
Leatherworker
For years people who enjoy working with their hands have seen their passions relegated to the ‘hobby’ category, and not considered viable, covetable careers. But increasingly the demand for carefully-sourced, individual goods have put these jobs back on the map. Such is the case for leatherworkers, who have seen the demand for their goods and appreciation for their craft soar.
Leatherworker
Online platforms like Etsy have made it easier for people to earn a living from the small-scale production of goods, and social media has helped these tiny operations get a look-in when it comes to marketing. It means that many small businesses can now compete with mass-produced goods and their owners can earn a decent sum from their handiwork.
Barber
According to Data USA, there are over 78,000 barbers in America today, and the industry is projected to grow by 7.52% over the next decade. The average barber earns an annual salary of $26k per year; however some of the top barbers can earn way more, especially those with entrepreneurial spirit who branch out into opening their own stores.
Barber
It’s easy to understand why this old-timey career is making such a robust comeback: it offers decent job security (everyone needs a haircut every once in a while); most barbers run their own businesses and set their own hours; and, as the trend for more elaborate hairstyles persists among hip young men, the client pool just keeps growing.
Brewer
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The beer market in the USA is big business. The industry is valued at $94.1 billion, with the artisanal craft beer market valued at $22.2 billion, according to Brewers Association figures.
Brewer
Letterer
Being a letterer has always been something of a niche career. Comic book producers used to employ letterers to neatly pen in the speech bubbles, but the advent of digital graphic design meant letterers were relegated to producing old-fashioned wedding invitations.
Letterer
But now, as brands struggle to stand out in a competitive market, many people are going old-school and designing typography by hand. Lettering and calligraphy are also enormously popular on social media, so many graphic designers now find they can make a living from their letters.
Shoemaker
The luxury goods industry has always held handmade items in high regard. Think handbags and bespoke suits. Today a small cadre of renowned shoemakers produce 100% handcrafted products, and each shoe can fetch as much as $800.
Shoemaker
People are also increasingly concerned with repairing and recycling rather than just replacing, and some countries like Sweden are even offering tax incentives to repair old shoes, rather than buy new ones. Shoes are excellent candidates for continual repairs rather than replacement. The general advice is: if the upper part of the shoe dries out or cracks, then it's not worth repairing. But if the leather is fine the soles can always be fixed. That should be plenty to keep cobblers in business.
Milk deliverer
In the 1960s up to 30% of all US homes received their milk from a milkman, but within a decade that had dropped to just 7%. That’s because grocery stores and supermarkets had appeared on the scene and established themselves as a convenient source for fresh food and consumables. However, the milkman, and woman, is back on the streets.
Milk deliverer
Today small farms across the US are now offering home delivery services once again. In big cities like New York, high-end companies deliver fresh milk straight from creameries, and though the service comes with a premium, they are incredibly popular for their convenience and high quality.
Butcher
Butchers have been around for a long time. However, during the middle of the last century people started shopping at big grocery stores, meaning these specialty shops practically vanished. Now, like many other artisan food trades, butchers are seeing something of a renaissance in their business.
Butcher
In 2020 there was 142, 220 butchers working in the USA, making an average salary of $16 per hour. However, artisan butchers can earn more. This new breed of butcher offers local, healthy free-range meat, personalized service and plenty of choice.
Carpenter
There are currently over a million carpenters working in America, according to Data USA. Like tailors and plumbers, there will always be a market for carpenters, but with above-average pay and plenty of opportunity for creativity and growth, it is fast becoming a trendy occupation.
Carpenter
The rise of social media has meant that many people now want their homes to be unique. IKEA no longer cuts it. So carpenters, furniture makers, and woodworkers have seen their services soar in demand. There is also growing concern for the provenance of wood and raw materials, and many people are opting to buy their furniture from smaller outlets that guarantee quality, well-sourced wood.
Beekeeper
Growing concerns for the wellfare of the planet’s bee population has led to a sharp rise in people keeping bees. Professional beekeepers have also seen a boost to their business owing to people’s interest in local and sustainable food production.
Beekeeper
Beekeeping hasn’t changed much over time, apart from now it’s a decidedly cool occupation. Hollywood stars like Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Garner have even taken up beekeeping. Though many beekeepers are amateurs, an increasing number are turning it into a career as the popularity of bee items like wax, honey, and pollen increases. It is also possible to rent out hives to other beekeepers, and that typically earns a tidy sum.
Diaper deliverer
It is the latest trend in millennial parenting, despite being around for millennia. The humble cloth diaper has made a comeback, and eco-conscious parents are turning to them to reduce their baby’s environmental footprint, as many are concerned about the plastics in disposable diapers.
Diaper deliverer
Enter the diaper delivery service. First launched during World War II, when mothers were needed at work and couldn’t launder the seemingly endless supply of dirty diapers themselves, these services are re-emerging, particularly in big cities where laundry space is limited. OK, it might be essentially a laundry service for tiny tots, but it is one that is making waves on social media, and proving very lucrative for the entrepreneurs involved.
Baker
Forget good old white toast, increasing numbers of people are starting to challenge that assumption and eating different varieties such as sourdough or rye.
Baker
That means no one needs to travel far to find a real bread bakery these days. There are 219,00 bakers working in the USA today, earning an average salary of $25,000.
Tailor
After decades in the doldrums, as fast fashion and the rise of casual dressing meant no-one was interested in a bespoke three-piece suit, now the consensus is that everyone needs at least one top piece of tailoring, and tailors are back in the game.
Tailor
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There's also the changing shopping habits of millennials, who are increasingly opting for higher-end, better-quality and longer-lasting products, rather than disposable fast-fashion items. Tailoring is one of those jobs that will always be around, after all we all need items of clothing fixed or adjusted (or made!), so it has been a go-to career choice for some who value job security above all else.
Cheesemaker
Most people might agree that cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and many of us certainly love it. According to the US Census and Simmons National Consumer Survey (NHCS), over 230 million Americans consumed cheese in 2020. Cheese consumption has been going up steadily over the past two decades and specialty cheeses are also exploding in popularity.
Cheesemaker
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In the USA retail sector, cheese sales amounted to $13.3 billion in 2020. That means that cheesemaker is now a viable career choice for anyone who loves their curds.
Fishmonger
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Traditionally fishmongers would buy their stock from fishermen coming into the harbor each morning, and clean, prepare and fillet the fish ready for customers in their stores. But, much like butchers, grocery stores and supermarkets almost put an end to this industry.
Fishmonger
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Today, concerns about sustainability and responsible fishing is leading many more affluent people to return to the traditional fish stores, where the fishmonger can usually tell them exactly where that salmon fillet came from, and whether or not it was factory farmed.
Blacksmith
Maybe it's thanks to the popularity of fantasy shows such as Game of Thrones, but blacksmithing is now a trendy hobby and career choice. It’s estimated there are 5,000 to 10,000 blacksmiths working in America.
Blacksmith
Many blacksmiths working today still use the same tools as their ancestors. And turning your love of forging metal and steel into a career could prove profitable. The average salary for a blacksmith is $44,000, according to the Economic Research Institute.
Taxidermist
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A career in taxidermy won’t be for everyone, but for those with a love for the macabre it can be a lucrative business. The average taxidermist earns a salary of $74,000, according to Data USA.
Taxidermist
Most business comes from preserving hunting trophies or animals on display in museums, though taxidermists have reported an increase in people requesting to have their beloved pets permanently preserved. Today, there are over half a million taxidermists that are working in America.
Soapmaker
Thanks to the power of the internet, social media, and selling sites such as Etsy, it is easier now more than ever to start a DIY or craft business. Long gone are the days that you needed a brick-and-mortar storefronts. As a result, the handcrafted soap business is booming. According to the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild (HSCG), there are over 300,000 soap-making businesses in the USA.
Soapmaker
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Handcrafted soaps typically contain organic or natural ingredients such as herbs and essential oils, attracting an ever-expanding customer base of people concerned with sustainability and ethically sourced ingredients. With low start-up costs, soap-making is also a business that anyone with a little bit of entrepreneurial spirit can delve into.
Chimney sweep
When you think chimney sweep, your mind might conjure up an image of Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. Today, however, the industry is very different...
Chimney sweep
Long gone are the dark days when the industry used exploitive child labor. Modern-day sweeps have adapted to the market and are developing new tools and technology to get the job done. According to the National Chimney Sweep Guild, the industry is on the rise again with 5,000 companies across America.
Now take a look at America's oldest stores still open for business
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