The Distribution of Earnings Profiles in Longitudinal Data

41 Pages Posted: 6 Jul 2004 Last revised: 24 Nov 2022

See all articles by George J. Borjas

George J. Borjas

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Jacob Mincer

Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: August 1976

Abstract

We take advantage of our longitudinal data to explore individual variation in the parameters of individual earnings functions. (1) For this purpose we fit an earnings function to each of the individual histories in the sample.(2) We then try to ascertain the extent to which the estimated variation in individual parameters helps in explaining the cross-sectional variation in earnings.(3) we further inquire into the relation between the individual parameters and a vector of personal characteristics, as well as(4) into indirect (via variables and parameters) and direct effects of these characteristics on earnings.

Suggested Citation

Borjas, George J. and Mincer, Jacob, The Distribution of Earnings Profiles in Longitudinal Data (August 1976). NBER Working Paper No. w0143, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=260332

George J. Borjas (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) ( email )

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Jacob Mincer

Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Economics ( email )

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