Occupational Segregation and the Gender Earnings Gap

Abstract

This study develops a framework for decomposing the gender earnings gap into across-occupation effect, encompasses differences between male and female employment distributions across occupations, and the associated market returns to these occupations. The within-occupation effect encompasses gender pay inequality within occupation categories, and the degree to which women hold more equitably compensated positions. Applying the technique to Taipei, China data leads to the conclusion that within-occupation pay discrepancies, not occupational segregation, account for the bulk of gender earnings inequity.