The Minimum Wage and Inequality: The Effects of Education and Technology

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 34
Issue: 1
Pages: 237 - 274

Authors (1)

Zsófia L. Bárány (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In the past 30 years, wage inequality has increased steeply while real minimum wages have fallen. This paper demonstrates that a general equilibrium model with endogenous skill choice is required to correctly evaluate the implications of minimum wage changes. The minimum wage not only truncates the wage distribution but also affects skill prices and therefore changes the incentives that people face when making educational decisions. The calibrated model suggests--in line with recent empirical literature--that even though minimum wages affect the bottom end of the wage distribution more, their impact on the top end is significant as well.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/682346
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-24