Here are the occupations carried out by African-Americans enumerated in the 1880 census of the town of Wilson, and the number of people working these jobs. The youngest person listed with a job was a 12 year-old nurse, who most likely cared for small children. In the ten years between 1870 and 1880, employment opportunities for African-Americans continued to diversify. Though most continued to work low-wage, low-skilled farm laborer and domestic services jobs, there is evidence of a tiny educated class emerging, as well as folk engaged in commerce.

• Baker — 1.
• Barber — 1.
• Blacksmith/work in blacksmith shop — 3.
• Brickmason — 3.
• Brickyard worker — 1.
• Butcher — 1.
• Cook — 22.
• Cook and washer — 1.
• Domestic servant/servant — 52.
• Drayman — 3.
• Eating saloon keeper — 1.
• Farm laborer/works on farm — 27.
• Farmer — 1.
• “Fires up steam engine” — 1.
• Hireling/hired hand — 12.
• Hotel servant — 5.
• House carpenter — 2.
• House painter — 1.
• General merchant — 1.
• Grocery shop owner — 2.
• Ice house worker — 1.
• Iron foundry worker — 1.
• Laborer — 24.
• Lightning rod wagon worker — 1.
• Livery stable worker — 1.
• Mattressmaker — 1.
• Mechanic — 3.
• Midwife — 1.
• Nurse — 1.
• Nursery worker — 1.
• Painter — 1.
• Plasterer — 1.
• Preacher, Methodist — 1.
• Railroad station worker — 3.
• Schoolteacher — 3.
• Shoemaker — 2.
• Street worker — 1.
• Teamster — 3.
• Washer and ironer — 4.
• Washerwoman — 9.
• Wood sawyer — 4.