The first answer answers only half of it.
True, the Industrial Revolution eliminated many jobs, but in exchange, it brought about new jobs. What does this mean? It means that the types of jobs migrated from one sector to another, resulting in new people into the economy or people who lost their jobs in certain areas to migrate to the new industries, which in this case is the manufacturing industry.
The Industrial Revolution brought about many changes for the common worker. First, it offered set wages, which was much more steady than turning a profit with crops, and was received regularly, sometimes daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly. Second, it brought about a common work schedule. People were expected to go to work at 7 and come off at around 5, depending on the area as well as industry that they were working at. The third was that it created a sense of close-knit community, which allowed them to get to know each other better and be able to band together for change if needed. This is extremely important, as previously people typically lived in large expanse of land (as more land and helping hands typically meant more money earned because of the large production of crops. This also meant they rarely see others frequently). Third, it created the groundwork to making rights for individuals on not only the industry level, but also on a national level. The Industrial Revolution saw the creation of workers guilds and labor unions, which were a collection of workers in similar industries that had enough power to demand change with their employers, which led to a series of fights in between owners and workers, either physically, legally, or anything in between. Finally, the Industrial Revolution laid the groundwork for the middle class to start and expand, defined by owning a house or apartment, having a job, and raising a family (in most cases). This definition changes with time, and especially during the period surrounding World War II.
The Industrial Revolution affected workers by changing the focus of the ordinary American citizen from farming either food crops or cash crops for profit and meal, to working in manufacturing and a wage. Especially in the North, the creation of the IR and factories led to mass production of necessities and discretionary items that ease the way of life for the working middle class. In the end, the Industrial Revolution truly revolutionized America, and set her up on the road to becoming a global economic power, which, combined with being able to change their economic model into a militaristic model, and winning two world wars, set her up to become a world superpower.
