Is the Proportion of College Workers in Noncollege Jobs Increasing?

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2003
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Pages: 409-448

Authors (2)

Peter Gottschalk Michael Hansen (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This article explores the claim that college-educated workers are increasingly likely to be in "noncollege" occupations. We provide a conceptual framework that gives analytical content to the previously vague distinction between "college" and noncollege jobs. We show that, when there is heterogeneity in preferences, equally productive college workers can be in college and noncollege jobs. This framework is also used to show that skill-biased technological change will lead to a decline in the proportion of college workers in noncollege jobs. This prediction is supported by the data.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:v:21:y:2003:i:2:p:409-448
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25