The gender wage gap within economic sectors, occupations, and firms

Abstract

"Among other factors, gender wage differences are explained by occupational segregation and and gender-specific endowments of human capital. In this article, we use linked employer-employee data of the Institute of Labor Market Research (LIAB-dataset) and ask whether the gender wage gap evolves with the distribution of female and male workers into different economic sectors, occupations, and firms. Research findings from the U.S. and Scandinavia show that only a minimal wage difference remains within jobs. Our results for a representative sample of firms from West Germany, however, indicate a remarkable within-job wage gap. Between 1993 and 2001, the relative wages of women increased from about 83 to 85 percent of male wages. Looking at workers with the same education and experience, the relative wages of female workers lie at 88 percent. In addition, we analyze the wage gap for hierarchical occupational groups (ISCO). The within-job wage gap is relatively low for management positions and for professionals. Problems of measurement and characteristics of the data used cause a part of the difference, but allocative and evaluative discrimination may exist as well." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Hinz, T. & Gartner, H. (2005): Geschlechtsspezifische Lohnunterschiede in Branchen, Berufen und Betrieben. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie, Vol. 34, No. 1, p. 22-39. DOI:10.1515/zfsoz-2005-0102