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Is the gender pay gap in the us just the result of gender segregation at work?

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Pastore

    (Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli)

  • Allan Webster

    (Bournemouth University, Executive Business Centre)

Abstract

This study examines the gender wage gap between male and female workers in the US using Current Population Survey (CPS) It shows that the extent of gender segregation is significantly greater than previously supposed. This creates problems of sample selection bias, of non-comparability between male and female employment. To address these problems the study uses a matching approach, which we also extend to a more recent methodological version with a yet stronger statistical foundation – Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA). To secure even better comparability we repeat the matching analysis for a small number of industries and occupations, each of which employed similar numbers of men and women. The findings for the full sample are replicated at the level of industry and occupation, where comparability is more reliable. Even when important “control†variables such as education, part-time working or region are taken into account, a significant gender wage gap remains.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Pastore & Allan Webster, 2017. "Is the gender pay gap in the us just the result of gender segregation at work?," BAFES Working Papers BAFES08, Department of Accounting, Finance & Economic, Bournemouth University.
    • Handle: RePEc:bam:wpaper:bafes08
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    File URL: https://repec.bmth.ac.uk/bam/wp/BAFES08.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stefania Cardinaleschi & Mirella Damiani & Fabrizio Pompei, 2020. "Knowledge-intensive sectors and the role of collective performance-related pay," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(5), pages 480-512, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender; wages; segregation; matching; US; non-comparability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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