The effect of uncertain educational requirements on education and wages

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of uncertain educational requirements. The level of education required to enter an occupation varies with a number of factors. Workers may be uncertain as to their specific job when selecting an occupation, thus they are also uncertain as to how much education they will need. We find that occupations with more uncertainty pay males compensating wages; however females do not receive compensating wages. We also find a negative relationship between uncertain educational requirements and completed schooling for both men and women.