Working Paper: NBER ID: w30421
Authors: Enghin Atalay; Sebastian Sotelo; Daniel I. Tannenbaum
Abstract: We introduce new measurement tools to understand the sources of earnings differences across space. Based on the natural language employers use in job vacancy text, we develop granular measures of job tasks and of worker specialization. We find that jobs in larger commuting zones involve greater interpersonal interactions and have higher computer software requirements. Between 10 and 50 percent of task and technology variation between large and small commuting zones exists within occupations. Further, workers in larger markets are more specialized within occupations. Tasks, technologies, and worker specialization account for a substantial portion of the market size premium even within occupations.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: J20; J24; R12; R23
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Market Size (L25) | Job Tasks (M53) |
| Market Size (L25) | Interpersonal Interactions (Z13) |
| Market Size (L25) | Technology Requirements (C88) |
| Market Size (L25) | Worker Specialization (J29) |
| Job Tasks (M53) | Wages (J31) |
| Interpersonal Interactions (Z13) | Wages (J31) |
| Technology Requirements (C88) | Wages (J31) |
| Worker Specialization (J29) | Wages (J31) |