Gender Differences in Wage Expectations: Sorting, Children, and Negotiation Styles

Lukas Kiessling, Pia Pinger, Philipp K. Seegers () and Jan Bergerhoff ()
Additional contact information
Philipp K. Seegers: Maastricht University
Jan Bergerhoff: University of Bonn

No 12522, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

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 closely resembles actual wage differences, prevails across subgroups, and along the entire distribution. To understand the underlying causes and determinants, we relate expected wages to sorting into majors, industries, and occupations, child-rearing plans, perceived and actual ability, personality, perceived discrimination, and negotiation styles. Our findings indicate that sorting and negotiation styles affect the gender gap in wage expectations much more than prospective child-related labor force interruptions. Given the importance of wage expectations for labor market decisions, household bargaining, and wage setting, our results provide an explanation for persistent gender inequalities.

Keywords: gender gap; subjective wage expectations; negotiation styles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 53 pages
Date: 2019-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur, nep-gen and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

Published - published in: Labour Economics, 2024, 87, 12522

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Working Paper: Gender Differences in Wage Expectations: Sorting, Children, and Negotiation Styles (2019)
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