Gender Differences and Inequality in the U.S. Labor Market

Gender differences in the labor market can be better understood by looking at specific trends within and between each gender group. In this paper, we look specifically at income inequalities that exist between certain segments of the male and female labor force in addition to examining inequalities that exist within each gender group. Dividing male and female workers into cohorts first by age, and then by characteristics such as marital status, unionization rates, and occupational category, we find evidence to support a number of leading hypotheses that help explain the narrowing of the gender gap in the American workforce between 1979-2013.