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Gender Differences in Wage Expectations and Negotiation

Author

Listed:
  • Lukas Kiessling

    (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods)

  • Pia Pinger

    (University of Cologne; Institute on Behavior and Inequality (briq))

  • Philipp Seegers

    (Maastricht University)

  • Jan Bergerhoff

    (Maastricht University)

Abstract

This paper presents evidence from a large-scale study on gender differences in expected wages before labor market entry. Based on data for over 15,000 students, we document a significant and large gender gap in wage expectations that resembles actual wage differences, prevails across subgroups, and along the entire distribution. Over the life-cycle this gap amounts to roughly half a million Euros. Our findings further suggest that expected wages relate to expected asking and reservation wages and that a difference in plans about ``boldness'' during prospective wage negotiations pertains to gender difference in expected and actual wages. Given the importance of wage expectations for labor market decisions, household bargaining, and wage setting, our results provide an explanation for persistent gender inequalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Lukas Kiessling & Pia Pinger & Philipp Seegers & Jan Bergerhoff, 2023. "Gender Differences in Wage Expectations and Negotiation," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 268, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:268
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    2. René Böheim & Marian Fink & Christine Zulehner, 2024. "Lohnunterschiede zwischen Frauen und Männern in Österreich von 2011 bis 2022," WIFO Research Briefs 3, WIFO.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wage expectations; gender gap; negotiations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General

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