Uniformity and Variation in Occupational Earngs Determination: Potential Sources of Incomparable Worth

Abstract

This article examined earnings across different occupational groups to determine whether compensable factors (characteristics on which organizations base compensation) are treated uniformly. The dependent variable for this study was the log, of mean occupational earnings for males employed year-round in 300 out of 463 detailed 1970 Census occupations. The independent variables were human capital, labor market, industry, and job task. Job task variables were based on the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ). Factor, correlation, and regression analyses were used to examine the data. Results indicate that compensable factors are rewarded differentially among occupational groups, but that there are no radically different emphases on specific compensable factors. The implications of these differencesfor the comparable worth issue callfor additional research.

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