The author analyzes 1890 Census data on gainful occupations among Black Americans, excluding non-wage earners such as housewives and children, and groups work into professions, agriculture, trade and transportation, manufactures, and personal service. Major findings show a large majority employed in agriculture and domestic service, with roughly three-fifths in farming and nearly one-third in personal service, while small proportions worked in professions, trade, or manufacturing. Comparisons with native whites and the foreign-born highlight a higher share of female wage-earners among Black people and different occupational distributions by sex and nativity.