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Occupational Choice and Matching in the Labor Market

Author

Listed:
  • Mak, Eric

    (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics)

  • Siow, Aloysius

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract
Integrating Roy with Becker, this paper studies occupational choice and matching in the labor market. Our model generates occupation earnings distributions which are right skewed, have firm fixed effects, and large changes in aggregate earnings inequality without significant changes in within firm inequality. The estimated model fits the earnings distribution both across and within firms in Brazil in 1999. It shows that the recent decrease in aggregate Brazilian earnings inequality is largely due to the increase in her educational attainment over the same years. A simulation of skilled biased technical change in the model also qualitatively fits the recent changes in earnings inequality in the United States.

Suggested Citation

  • Mak, Eric & Siow, Aloysius, 2017. "Occupational Choice and Matching in the Labor Market," IZA Discussion Papers 10584, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    occupational choice; matching; earnings distribution; inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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