Share of change in experienced men’s black-white wage gaps accounted for by observable and unobservable factors, by time period, 1979—2015

Total observables Total unobservables  Total
 1979–1985 1.88 0.67 0
 1985–1996 -0.11 2.17 0
 1996–2000 -0.80 -0.99 0
 2000–2007 -0.50 3.05 0
 2007–2015 0.76 -1.08 0

Note: The * signifies total net change labels where the change is statistically insignificant. Experienced workers have 11 to 20 years of experience. New entrants have 0 to 10 years of experience. Change in gaps are of adjusted average hourly wages. Labels on top of bars indicate net change in the black-white wage gap. Total unobservables include factors such as racial discrimination, unobservable skills, and wage inequality. Total observables include education, experience, region of residence, and metro status.

Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey (CPS) Outgoing Rotation Group microdata

View the underlying data on epi.org.