Overeducation and Earnings

A Structural Approach to Differential Attainment in the U. S. Labor Force (1970-1982)

Bibliographic Data

ID7258019
AuthorsJames W Shockey (0000-0003-0138-5451, University of Arizona, corresponding author)
Year1989
Volume54
Issue5
Pages856-856
Publication date1989-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Sociological Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-1224 • E-ISSN: 1939-8271
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2307/2117759
OpenAlexW2046559883
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited6

This paper examines the hypothesis that overeducated workers receive lower earnings returns to a year of educational attainment than those who are not mismatched. Data from the Current Population Survey reveal that those who are mismatched actually receive higher overall earnings as well as higher absolute returns to a year of college. A structural model of earnings determination shows that the primary impact of advanced education among occupationally mismatched workers is through the attainment of jobs which offer higher pay. Among workers not mismatched the main influence of schooling is direct rather than through job characteristics. However the analysis also suggests the difference between mismatched and non-mismatched workers narrowed between 1972 and 1982. (authors

Differential (mechanical device · Earnings · Economics · Labour economics · Physics · Education Systems and Policy · Employment and Welfare Studies · Labor market dynamics and wage inequality

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