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Labor-Market Concentration and Labor Compensation

Author

Listed:
  • Qiu, Yue

    (Temple University)

  • Sojourner, Aaron

    (Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)

Abstract

This paper estimates the effect of labor-market concentration on labor compensation across the U.S. private sector since 2000. We distinguish between concentration in local labor markets versus local product markets, guarding against bias from confounded product-market concentration. Analysis extends beyond wages to rates of employment-based health insurance coverage. Estimates suggest negative effects of labor-market concentration on labor compensation. This comes through both reducing the human-capital level of those in the market and reducing pay conditional on human-capital level. Higher product-market concentration exacerbates and higher unionization rates mitigates these effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiu, Yue & Sojourner, Aaron, 2019. "Labor-Market Concentration and Labor Compensation," IZA Discussion Papers 12089, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12089
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    labor-market concentration; monopsony; wages; health insurance; unions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • J42 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Monopsony; Segmented Labor Markets
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects

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