Do Racial Disparities Exist in the Labor Market for Educators?

Abstract

This study used Current Population Survey data to analyze the earnings of K12 teachers and postsecondary teachers in order to test competing hypotheses about racial disparities in educator labor markets. The analysis found African American educators, despite being purported to be in a condition of relative shortage, did not earn an appreciable wage premium in either of these two occupational groups. The wages of African American K12 teachers were not significantly different from their White counterparts, while African American postsecondary teachers earned a small and statistically significant wage discount. These findings align with historical and contemporary policy developments in educator labor markets as well as social network theory rather than the work of researchers such as Becker (1971), Arrow (1998), or Fisher and Houseworth (2011). These findings are important in light of research which suggests African American student achievement is positively impacted by the increased presence of African American professionals in schools. However, if disparate treatment exists in educational labor markets, African American professionals may be discouraged from pursuing careers in K12 or higher education. As such, a variety of policy solutions might be needed to bring the supply of African American educators up to the level of perceived societal need.