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The Value of Working Conditions in the United States and Implications for the Structure of Wages

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  • von Wachter, Till
  • Maestas, Nicole
  • Mullen, Kathleen J.
  • Powell, David
  • Wenger, Jeffrey B.

Abstract

This paper documents variation in working conditions among workers in the United States, presents new estimates of how workers value these conditions, and assesses the impact of working conditions on estimates of the wage structure and inequality. We use evidence from a series of stated- preference experiments to estimate workers’ willingness-to-pay for a broad set of job characteristics, which we validate with actual job choices. We find that working conditions vary substantially across workers, play a significant role in job choice decisions, and are central components of the compensation received by workers. Preferences vary by demographic groups and throughout the wage distribution. We find that accounting for differences in preferences for working conditions often exacerbates wage differentials by race, age, and education, and intensifies measures of wage inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • von Wachter, Till & Maestas, Nicole & Mullen, Kathleen J. & Powell, David & Wenger, Jeffrey B., 2018. "The Value of Working Conditions in the United States and Implications for the Structure of Wages," CEPR Discussion Papers 13284, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13284
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Working conditions; Wage differentials; Stated preference experiments; Compensating differentials;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions

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