Daily AncestorE
E in the class of worker column of the 1930 and 1940 census means employer: a person who hired helpers in his own business.
The 1930 census wrote E for employer in its class of worker column, beside W for a wage or salary worker, O for own account and NP for unpaid family work. The 1940 census used E again. Earlier censuses wrote Emp (1910) and Em (1920) for the same thing.
The rule was strict: only someone who hired helpers, other than domestic servants, in his own business counted. A superintendent, manager or foreman who hired people for someone else was a wage or salary worker, not an E.
As seen in a recordClass of worker column of the 1930 census
Druett, Amos, Head ... Proprietor, Bakery ... E
Sources
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Daily Ancestor. "E." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/abbreviations/census-e. Last checked 2026-10-12.