American Economic Journal:
Macroeconomics
ISSN 1945-7707 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7715 (Online)
Occupational Matching and Cities
American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics
(pp. 82–132)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
In this paper, I document that workers in larger cities have significantly more occupational options than workers in smaller ones. They are able to form better occupational matches and earn higher wages. I also note differences in occupation reallocation patterns across cities. I develop a dynamic model of occupation choice that microfounds agglomeration economies and captures the empirical patterns. The calibration of the model suggests that better occupational match quality accounts for approximately 35 percent of the observed wage premium and one-third of the greater inequality in larger cities.Citation
Papageorgiou, Theodore. 2022. "Occupational Matching and Cities." American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics 14 (3): 82–132. DOI: 10.1257/mac.20180122Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
- J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
- J41 Labor Contracts
- J63 Labor Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
- R23 Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics: Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population; Neighborhood Characteristics