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Article
Labor Earnings, Discrimination, and the Racial Composition of Jobs
Journal of Human Resources
  • Barry T Hirsch
  • Edward J Schumacher, Trinity University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-1992
Abstract

This paper examines the effect of the racial composition of labor markets on wage rates and the racial wage gap. The wage rates of white as well as black workers are significantly lower in industry- occupation-regional groups with high densities of black workers, while the racial wage gap does not vary systematically with respect to racial density. Interpretation of racial gap estimates can be sensitive to inclusion of a racial density variable, particularly in sparse specifications. An explanation for the wagedensity relationship cannot be established, but results are most consistent with a quality sorting explanation and, to a lesser extent, the crowding hypothesis.

Identifier
10.2307/146077
Publisher
University of Wisconsin Press
Citation Information
Hirsch, B.T. & Schumacher, E.J. (1992). Labor earnings, discrimination, and the racial composition of jobs. Journal of Human Resources, 27(4), 602-628. doi: 10.2307/146077