
Top income inequality in the United States has increased considerably within occupations. This phenomenon has led to a search for a common explanation. We instead develop a theory where increases in income inequality originating within a few occupations can “spill over” through consumption into others. We show theoretically that such spillovers occur when an occupation provides non-divisible services to consumers, with physicians our prime example. Examining local income inequality across U.S. regions, the data suggest that such spillovers exist for physicians, dentists, and real estate agents. Estimated spillovers for other occupations are consistent with the predictions of our theory.
EODPS URPP Equality of Opportunity Discussion Paper Series, superstars, occupational inequality, J24, U8 Equality of Opportunity, assignment model, O15, 330 Economics, 10007 Department of Economics, Income inequality, J31, D31
EODPS URPP Equality of Opportunity Discussion Paper Series, superstars, occupational inequality, J24, U8 Equality of Opportunity, assignment model, O15, 330 Economics, 10007 Department of Economics, Income inequality, J31, D31
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