Reconciling Occupational Mobility in the Current Population Survey

Arbeitspapier

Measuring occupational mobility from the Current Population Survey using recall (retrospective) or linked panel responses (longitudinal) generates substantially different outcomes, both in levels and trends. Using a generalized method of moments technique, we estimate the actual level of occupational mobility and the measurement error in both of these measures for 1981-2018. Measurement error in longitudinal measures is large and has been worsening over time. However, actual occupational mobility is approximately 70% higher than retrospectively measures. Our estimated corrections imply workers in tradable occupations are less likely to switch occupations than previously believed, implying potentially lower welfare gains from trade.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 13509

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Job, Occupational, and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion ; Survey Methods; Sampling Methods ; Trade and Labor Market Interactions
• Subject: occupational switching ; worker mobility ; current population survey ; measurement error ; trade adjustment

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): vom Lehn, Christian ; Ellsworth, Cache ; Kroff, Zachary
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2020

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/223951
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET