An Analysis of Black–White Wage Differences in Nursing: Wage Gap or Wage Premium?

摘要

This paper analyzes whether a black–white racial wage differential exists in the nursing labor market in the US. Despite claims of a nursing shortage, little examination of whether racial inequalities in the labor market might contribute to this purported shortage has occurred. Possible explanations for black–white differences in RN compensation include racial differences in: occupation; returns to skills; metropolitan residency; union membership. Regression analysis on wages for registered nurses (RNs) was conducted. Findings suggest a wage penalty for non-union black nurses compared to non-union white nurses as well as the absence of a racial wage differential for union nurses.