Matching Language Proficiency to Occupation: The Effect on Immigrants’ Earnings

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Matching Language Proficiency to Occupation: The Effect on Immigrants’ Earnings

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Barry R. Chiswick () (University of Illinois at Chicago and IZA)
Paul W. Miller () (University of Western Australia and IZA)

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Abstract

This paper analyzes the effect on earnings of the matching of English language skills to occupational requirements. It uses data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database and a "Realized Matches" procedure to quantify expected levels of English skills in each of over 500 occupations in the US Census. Earnings data from the 2000 US Census for foreign-born adult male workers are then examined in relation to these occupational English requirements. The analyses show that earnings are related to correct matching of an individual’s language skills and that of his occupation. Moreover, the findings are robust with respect to a range of measurement and specification issues. Immigrant settlement policy may have a role to play in matching immigrants to jobs that use their language skills most effectively.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in its series IZA Discussion Papers with number 2587.

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Length: 34 pages
Date of creation: Jan 2007
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp2587

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Paper
- Barry R Chiswick & Paul W Miller, 2007. "Matching Language Proficiency to Occupation: The Effect on Immigrants' Earnings," Economics Discussion / Working Papers 07-07, The University of Western Australia, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]

Find related papers by JEL classification:
J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

NEP-ALL-2007-02-17 (All new papers)

Cited by:
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Barry R. Chiswick & Sarinda Taengnoi, 2007. "Occupational Choice of High Skilled Immigrants in the United States," IZA Discussion Papers 2969, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]

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