Where Have the Middle-Wage Workers Gone? A Study of Polarization Using Panel Data

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 34
Issue: 1
Pages: 63 - 105

Score contribution per author:

4.036 = (α=2.02 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the effects of routine-biased technical change on occupational transition patterns and wage changes of individual workers using a general equilibrium model with endogenous sorting of workers into occupations. Consistent with the predictions of the model, data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics show strong evidence of selection on ability in the occupational mobility patterns of routine workers, a significant fall in the wage premium in routine occupations, and faster wage growth over long-run horizons for workers switching out of routine jobs relative to those who stay.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/682289
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25