Inequality at Work: The Effect of Peer Salaries on Job Satisfaction

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2012
Volume: 102
Issue: 6
Pages: 2981-3003

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We study the effect of disclosing information on peers' salaries on workers' job satisfaction and job search intentions. A randomly chosen subset of University of California employees was informed about a new website listing the pay of University employees. All employees were then surveyed about their job satisfaction and job search intentions. Workers with salaries below the median for their pay unit and occupation report lower pay and job satisfaction and a significant increase in the likelihood of looking for a new job. Above-median earners are unaffected. Differences in pay rank matter more than differences in pay levels. (JEL I23, J28, J31, J64)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:102:y:2012:i:6:p:2981-3003
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25