Journal of Labor Economics Vol. 11 No. 1, Part 1 1993
Why the Gender Gap in Wages Narrowed in the 1980s
Abstract
Since 1976 the gender gap in wages on average declined by about 1% per year. This article focuses on identifying the factors underlying this trend. Three data sets are analyzed-the Current Population Survey, the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and the National Longitudinal Survey. We find that convergence in measurable work-related characteristics (schooling and work experience) explains one-third to one-half the narrowing. The remainder is attributable to a relative increase in women's returns to experience as well as to declining wages in blue-collar work and other factors.
- DOI
- 10.1086/298323
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 1, Part 1
- Pages
- 205-228
- Language
- en
- Sources
- openalex crossref