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Reservation Wages and Starting Wages

Author

Listed:
  • van Ophem, Hans

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Hartog, Joop

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Berkhout, Peter

    (RIGO Research Institute)

Abstract

We analyse a unique data set that combines reservation wage and actually paid wage for a large sample of Dutch recent higher education graduates. On average, accepted wages are almost 8% higher than reservation wages, but there is no fixed proportionality. We find that the difference between reservation wage and accepted wage is virtually random, as search theory predicts. We also find that most information contained in the accepted wage is included in the reservation wage, as one would predict if individuals are well informed about the wage structure that characterizes their labour market.

Suggested Citation

  • van Ophem, Hans & Hartog, Joop & Berkhout, Peter, 2011. "Reservation Wages and Starting Wages," IZA Discussion Papers 5435, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5435
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Brown & Gurleen Popli & Alessandro Sasso, 2022. "Decomposing the gender reservation wage gap in Italy: A regional perspective," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 499-540, March.
    2. DI PIETRO Giorgio, 2020. "Evidence on study abroad programmes: Data and indicators," JRC Research Reports JRC119964, Joint Research Centre.
    3. Di Pietro Giorgio & European Commission & IZA, 2022. "Studying abroad and earnings: A meta‐analysis," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(4), pages 1096-1129, September.
    4. Tani, Massimiliano & Valentine, Andrew & Sharpe, Kieran, 2022. "The Gender Pay Gap in the CEOs' Labor Market," IZA Discussion Papers 15781, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Kala Seetharam Sridhar & A.V. Reddy, 2015. "India’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Wages, Reservation Wages and Programme Participation in Chitradurga District of Karnataka," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 40(3-4), pages 366-384, August.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    reservation wages; starting wages; job search;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J69 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Other

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