This study extends the previous literature on the wage effects of over-education, focusing on young doctorate holders (DHs). It also contributes to the conventional over-education literature on a causal relationship between over-education and wages by implementing techniques of propensity score matching (PSM). By tackling potential bias as a consequence of omitted variable bias via the PSM strategy, this study provides evidence of the negative influence of over-education on wages (i.e., the over-education wage penalty) once potential sources of bias are adequately considered. While the current analysis is focused on one country, South Korea, its results might be relevant for many other countries that have experienced a rapid expansion in the supply of DHs over recent years.
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