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The stagnation of male wages in the US

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  • Jeff Madrick
  • Nikolaos Papanikolaou

Abstract

In an analysis of US wages and salaries by sex, age and educational attainment between 1969 and 2008, we find that median wages and salaries of males with no more than a high school diploma have fallen over more than four decades for all but the oldest age group, which made only marginal gains. The median wages and salaries of males with a college degree have stagnated for at least 20, and up to 25, consecutive years within the 39-year period analyzed. Wages and salaries for typical female workers have risen, especially for those with college degrees, but they have not risen at strong rates by historical standards. The gap in incomes between males and females of comparable ages and education has narrowed but remains large.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff Madrick & Nikolaos Papanikolaou, 2010. "The stagnation of male wages in the US," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 309-318.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:irapec:v:24:y:2010:i:3:p:309-318
    DOI: 10.1080/02692171003701495
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frank Levy & Peter Temin, 2007. "Inequality and Institutions in 20th Century America," NBER Working Papers 13106, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Thomas Piketty & Emmanuel Saez, 2003. "Income Inequality in the United States, 1913–1998," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 118(1), pages 1-41.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fenaba Addo, 2014. "Debt, Cohabitation, and Marriage in Young Adulthood," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 51(5), pages 1677-1701, October.
    2. Nikolaos Papanikolaou, 2021. "Tax Progressivity of Personal Wages and Income Inequality," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Nikolaos Papanikolaou, 2020. "The Econophysics of Labor Income," Bulletin of Applied Economics, Risk Market Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 107-122.
    4. Emin Efecan Aktaş, 2023. "How Tax Wedge of Low and Upper-income Households Affects Income Distribution: Findings from OECD Countries," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(3), pages 246-272.

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    wage level and structure;

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