The Impact of Selection into the Labor Force on the Gender Wage Gap

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2024
Volume: 42
Issue: 4
Pages: 1093 - 1133

Authors (4)

Francine D. Blau (not in RePEc) Lawrence M. Kahn (CESifo) Nikolai Boboshko (not in RePEc) Matthew Comey (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Using Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics data, we study selection bias and the gender wage gap. Employing several methods, we find large declines in the total and unexplained gender gaps in wage offers between 1981 and 2015. Under our preferred selection correction method, the median total and unexplained gaps fell by 0.378 and 0.204 log points, respectively. These are larger declines than if we had not corrected for selection and simply measured convergence in observed wage gaps. However, substantial selectivity-corrected median gender wage gaps remain in 2015: 0.242 log points (total gap) and 0.206 log points (unexplained gap).

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/725032
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25