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The Geography of Job Tasks

Author

Listed:
  • Enghin Atalay
  • Sebastian Sotelo
  • Daniel Tannenbaum

Abstract

We introduce new measurement tools to understand the sources of earnings differences across space. Based on the natural language employers use in job ads, we develop granular measures of job tasks and of worker specialization. We find that jobs in larger commuting zones involve greater interpersonal interactions and have higher computer software requirements. Between 10% and 50% of task and technology variation between large and small commuting zones exists within occupations. Furthermore, workers in larger markets are more specialized. Tasks, technologies, and worker specialization account for a substantial portion of the market size premium even within occupations.

Suggested Citation

  • Enghin Atalay & Sebastian Sotelo & Daniel Tannenbaum, 2024. "The Geography of Job Tasks," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 42(4), pages 979-1008.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/725360
    DOI: 10.1086/725360
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    Cited by:

    1. repec:ehl:lserod:128849 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Autor, David & Chin, Caroline & Salomons, Anna & Seegmiller, Bryan, 2026. "What Makes New Work Different from More Work?," IZA Discussion Papers 18504, IZA Network @ LISER.
    3. Rouwendal, Harm Jan & Koster, Sierdjan, 2025. "Does it take extra skills to work in a large city?," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    4. David H. Autor & Caroline Chin & Anna Salomons & Bryan Seegmiller, 2026. "What Makes New Work Different from More Work?," CESifo Working Paper Series 12577, CESifo.
    5. Nicole Nestoriak & David H. Oh, 2025. "What Makes Work from Home Work? Evidence on Telework and Worker Tasks," NBER Chapters, in: The Changing Nature of Work, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Buchholz, Maximilian & Kemeny, Tom & Randolph, Gregory & Storper, Michael, 2026. "Inequality, not regulation, drives America's housing affordability crisis," SocArXiv 95trz_v1, Center for Open Science.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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