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The “Mincer Equation” Thirty Years After Schooling, Experience, and Earnings

In: Jacob Mincer A Pioneer of Modern Labor Economics

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Lemieux

    (University of British Columbia)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the empirical performance of the standard Mincer earnings equation thirty years after the publication of Schooling, Experience and Earnings. Over this period, there has been a dramatic expansion in micro data and estimation techniques available to labor economists. How does the Mincer equation stand in light of these advances in empirical labor economics? Is it time to revise our benchmark model? On the basis of the existing literature and some new empirical estimates, I conclude that the Mincer equation remains an accurate benchmark for estimating wage determination equations provided that it is adjusted by (1) including a quartic function in potential experience instead of just a quadratic, (2) allowing for a quadratic term in years of schooling to capture the growing convexity in the relationship between schooling and wages, and (3) allowing for cohort effects to capture the dramatic growth in returns to schooling among cohorts born after 1950.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Lemieux, 2006. "The “Mincer Equation” Thirty Years After Schooling, Experience, and Earnings," Springer Books, in: Shoshana Grossbard (ed.), Jacob Mincer A Pioneer of Modern Labor Economics, chapter 11, pages 127-145, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-0-387-29175-8_11
    DOI: 10.1007/0-387-29175-X_11
    as

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