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Abstract

Labor and community activists have organized around raising wages for low-wage workers, notably through the “Fight for 15” campaign among fast food workers. This study uses skills data together with manager survey data to estimate occupational wages. Quantile regression was used to estimate a skills-based wage. The analysis provides empirical support for a US$15 an hour minimum wage. The results indicate that low-wage workers possess skills that are undervalued in the labor market.

Keywords

service work wages/minimum wage wage inequality skills fast food

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Revaluing Low-Wage Work

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