Disaggregated wage curves in the United States: evidence from panel data of young workers

Abstract

The paper presents wage curve results disaggregated over time, by individual characteristics, occupations, industries and regions in the United States, using a panel data set of young workers. The results suggest that instead of a strong aggregate wage curve there are a number of different wage curves over time, and for different worker groups. The slope of the aggregate wage curve varies over time, with the strongest wage curves in the late 1980s. Wage curves exist for most labour market groups: the wages of the least educated, Hispanics, those in relatively low-skill occupations or service industries are most sensitive to changes in unemployment. Wages of government workers and those in the mining industry increase with unemployment. Finally, wage curves are steepest in the western states.