Public sector and business sector earnings: a comparison

Abstract

We compare public sector wages with private firm ones in 2000, without taking into account for work intensity, job security, advantages&The comparison is made in controlling for age, sex, qualification and residence. We find evidence that public sector provides higher wages to women, to unskilled or persons with low degrees, and in the provinces. Women get higher wages in public sector, except those with high degrees in Paris. Men with high degrees get higher wages in firms, the difference is larger in Paris in comparison with the provinces. Wages dispersion is larger in private firms. For the last ten years, relative situation of public sector employees has been improved from 7 to 11 points.wages, public sector