The Prevalence and Effects of Occupational Licensing

18 Pages Posted: 1 Sep 2008

See all articles by Morris M. Kleiner

Morris M. Kleiner

Humphrey School of Public Affairs; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Alan B. Krueger

Princeton University - Industrial Relations Section; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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Abstract

This study provides the first nation-wide analysis of the labor market implications of occupational licensing for the U.S. labor market, using data from a specially designed Gallup survey. We find that in 2006, 29 percent of the workforce was required to hold an occupational license from a government agency, which is a higher percentage than that found in studies that rely on state-level occupational licensing data. Workers who have higher levels of education are more likely to work in jobs that require a license. Union workers and government employees are more likely to have a license requirement than are nonunion or private sector employees. Our multivariate estimates suggest that licensing has about the same quantitative impact on wages as do unions - that is about 15 percent, but unlike unions which reduce variance in wages, licensing does not significantly reduce wage dispersion for individuals in licensed jobs.

Keywords: occupational licensing, regulation, wages

JEL Classification: J8

Suggested Citation

Kleiner, Morris M. and Krueger, Alan B., The Prevalence and Effects of Occupational Licensing. IZA Discussion Paper No. 3675, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1261460 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1261460

Morris M. Kleiner (Contact Author)

Humphrey School of Public Affairs ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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Alan B. Krueger

Princeton University - Industrial Relations Section ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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