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How Demand for New Skills Affects Wage Inequality: The Case of Software Programmers

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Abstract

We study how the demand for programming skills has impacted inequality. We create a new dataset with information on wages, employment, and software of Brazilian programmers, covering the period from the birth of information technology (IT) to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). High-ability, high-wage, and highly educated individuals in key technology hubs are more likely to become programmers. Creating software boosts both wages and career prospects of programmers, especially for those with specialized skills in AI and cybersecurity. These wage gains are concentrated among top programmers, increasing inequality within the profession. Therefore, increased demand for specialized skills in programming has contributed to wage inequality both within the programming field and between programmers and other occupations.

Suggested Citation

  • Gustavo de Souza & Jacob S. Herbstman & Jack Mannion, 2024. "How Demand for New Skills Affects Wage Inequality: The Case of Software Programmers," Working Paper Series WP 2024-19, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedhwp:99304
    DOI: 10.21033/wp-2024-19
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    Cited by:

    1. Gustavo de Souza, 2025. "Artificial Intelligence in the Office and the Factory: Evidence from Administrative Software Registry Data," Working Paper Series WP 2025-11, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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