Considering the Effects of Life-Cycle Occupational Sorting and Motherhood on The Gender Wage Gap in the U.S

Abstract

This paper uses the CPS covering the period from 2000 to 2009 to study the wage gap between males and females with and without children in the U.S. It also analyzes the life-cycle occupational sorting of men and women with and without children. A wage gap is existent between males and females in all ages and in all occupations, followed by females with no children then mothers. Females seem to be dominating certain types of occupations that are perceived to be “motherfriendly”. The results show that the motherhood penalty is in fact a main contributor to the gender wage gap. It also highlights the potential role of gender differences in life-cycle occupational sorting.