Match Bias in Wage Gap Estimates Due to Earnings Imputation

Hirsch, Barry T.; Schumacher, Edward J.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.282918

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Match Bias in Wage Gap Estimates Due to Earnings Imputation

39 Pages Posted: 10 Jun 2003

See all articles by Barry T. Hirsch

Barry T. Hirsch

IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Georgia State University

Edward J. Schumacher

Trinity University - Department of Health Care Administration

Date Written: May 2003

Abstract

About 30% of workers in the CPS have earnings imputed. Wage gap estimates are biased toward zero when the attribute being studied (e.g., union status) is not a criterion used to match donors to nonrespondents. An expression for "match bias" is derived in which attenuation equals the sum of match error rates. In practice, attenuation can be approximated by the proportion with imputed earnings. Union wage gap estimates with match bias removed are presented for 1973-2001. Estimates in recent years are biased downward 5 percentage points. Bias in gap estimates accompanying other non-match criteria (public sector, industry, etc.) is examined.

Keywords: Wage Differentials, Hot Deck Imputation, Match Bias, CPS, Union Wage Premiums

JEL Classification: J3, J5, C81

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Hirsch, Barry T. and Hirsch, Barry T. and Schumacher, Edward J., Match Bias in Wage Gap Estimates Due to Earnings Imputation (May 2003). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=282918 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.282918