Why the Gender Gap in Wages Narrowed in the 1980s
Journal of Labor Economics
1993
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 (1, Part 1)
- Pages
- 205-228
- Language
- en
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- Sources
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