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Firm Heterogeneity in Skill Returns

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  • Boehm, Michael
  • Esmkhani, Khalil
  • Gallipoli, Giovanni

Abstract

We quantify firm heterogeneity in skill returns and present direct evidence of worker–firm complementarities. Using population data linked with cognitive and noncognitive skill measures, we estimate a model of firm-specific returns to these attributes. We find evidence of significant return heterogeneity, sorting, and earnings convexification: (1) Skills command different returns across employers; returns to the two skills correlate weakly within-firm. (2) Workers with large endowments of a skill populate firms with higher returns to it. Sorting intensity grows with cross-sectional dispersion of that skill return. (3) Complementarities and sorting have nonmonotonic effects, raising both level and skewness of earnings.

Suggested Citation

  • Boehm, Michael & Esmkhani, Khalil & Gallipoli, Giovanni, 2022. "Firm Heterogeneity in Skill Returns," CEPR Discussion Papers 15480, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:15480
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    1. Jan Eeckhout & Philipp Kircher, 2011. "Identifying Sorting--In Theory," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 78(3), pages 872-906.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nordström Skans, Oskar & Choné, Philippe & Kramarz, Francis, 2022. "When workers’ skills become unbundled: Some empirical consequences for sorting and wages," Working Paper Series 2022:6, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm heterogeneity; Skill returns; Sorting; Earnings distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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