The gender wage gap in highly prestigious occupations: a case study of Swedish medical doctors

Abstract

The gender wage gap within a highly prestigious occupation, the medical profession, is investigated both longitudinally and cross-sectionally using Swedish administrative data. This is done by investigating: to what extent the gender wage gap among physicians varies between fields of medicine (within-occupation segregation) and across family status; whether there is an association between parenthood and wages among physicians and, if so, whether there is a gender difference in this association; and changes in the gender wage gap among physicians over time.The results indicate a large overall gender wage difference for medical doctors. Even when gender differences in specialization are taken into account, men have higher wages than women do. For both men and women physicians, there is a positive association between parenthood and wages. The longitudinal analyses show that the gender wage gap among physicians was greater in 2007 than in 1975.

Gender Segregation and the Gender Wage Gap: Rising Inequality in Alberta and Saskatchewan

“…This idea of self-segregation is supported by Magnusson's (2015) study on the gender wage gap among Swedish doctors. The gendered wage gap is observable in Sweden as in other Western and European societies, particularly among University graduates in highly specialized occupations.…”

“…One seemingly significant contention in Magnusson's research is the correlation between family status, gender, and wages. Numerous previous studies support the idea that marriage and children are considered a plus for male employees while the same family status among women results in a negative effect on occupational progress and/or wage equity (Magnusson, 2015).…”

“…As in this study, which examines specific occupation groups in specific industries and within specified regions of Canada, Magnusson (2015) recognizes the advantage of focusing on a specific occupational group. The study contends that a primary cause of gendered wage gaps is occupational segregation, which begins with choice of subjects studied at University.…”

“…However, women continue to earn considerably less than men on average. Despite the narrowing of gender wage gaps across education levels and age, there remain distinct and persistent wage gaps based on social attitudes (Magnusson, 2015;Pan, 2015).…”

The gender differences in highly paid wage: a case study of Peruvian physicians

“…For the Peruvian context, there is an extensive evidence that female generally earn less than their male counterparts 10,11,12 . Although some efforts have been developed to describe the health provider wages 13 , the empirical evidence of gender wage gap in health occupations is sparse, since data for highly qualified occupations is usually collected in high-income countries 14 and most of specific health surveys are not national representative. In consequence, it is not allowed to propose public policies about this issue.…”