Economic Implications of Public-Sector Comparable Worth: The Case of San Jose, California

This study evaluates the wage and employment effects of comparable worth in San Jose, California, one of the first cities in the United States to implement comparable worth wage adjustments. The empirical evidence indicates that, contrary to the predictions of many economists, females posted large employment gains in jobs targeted by comparable worth adjustments. Male employment in these jobs was stagnant. The increasing percentage female in the targeted jobs is attributable to the combined effects of comparable worth and pro-female hiring policies. No overall decrease in employment appears to have occurred in the city of San Jose, nor is there any indication of substitution from targeted to nontargeted jobs.