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Why Are the Wages of Job Changers So Procyclical?

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  • Barlevy, Gadi

Abstract

Evidence on wage cyclicality shows job changers have more procyclical wages than job stayers. Previous work argued this arises because workers gain greater access to jobs in sectors such as manufacturing that offer high wages. This article argues that workers who switch jobs in booms enter temporary jobs with unemployment risk and are merely compensated for subsequent losses. I demonstrate that the two explanations can be distinguished using the relationship between unemployment insurance and wage cyclicality among job changers. The evidence supports the compensation hypothesis; that is, that job changers might not experience real gains from higher-paying jobs in booms. Copyright 2001 by University of Chicago Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Barlevy, Gadi, 2001. "Why Are the Wages of Job Changers So Procyclical?," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 19(4), pages 837-878, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:v:19:y:2001:i:4:p:837-78
    DOI: 10.1086/322822
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary Solon & Robert Barsky & Jonathan A. Parker, 1994. "Measuring the Cyclicality of Real Wages: How Important is Composition Bias?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 109(1), pages 1-25.
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    6. Acemoglu, Daron, 2001. "Good Jobs versus Bad Jobs," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 19(1), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Barry T. Hirsch & David A. Macpherson, 1993. "Union Membership and Coverage Files from the Current Population Surveys: Note," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 46(3), pages 574-578, April.
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