Factors dollar contribution ($2017) to productivity–median compensation divergence, 1979–2017

Year Unexplained** Noncompetes, misclassification, overtime, supply chain dominance* Corporate globalization Eroded collective bargaining Excessive unemployment Actual growth Baseline
1979 $20.48 $20.48 $20.48 $20.48 $20.48 $20.48 $20.48
2017 $33.10 $30.72 $28.59 $27.30 $25.46 $23.15 $20.48

Notes: Automation/skill deficits had no effect.

* Dominant buyer and fissuring

** Including but not limited to: wage theft, guestworker programs, racial discrimination, industry deregulation, forced arbitration, and anti-poaching agreements

Source: Authors’ analysis from Table 3.

View the underlying data on epi.org.