Description
Using 2011, 2012, and 2013 American Community Survey data to replicate a 2016 study by Padavic and Prokos, “Aiming High: Explaining the Earnings Advantage for Female Veterans.” The purpose of the original study and this replication study was to answer three questions: Do female veterans experience an earnings advantage over nonveteran women? Do the differences in occupations held by veterans and nonveterans explain the effect of veteran status on earnings? And, will there be a larger veteran advantage for race/ethnic minority females who face the lowest opportunity costs? Results found that (a) net of controls, veteran status accounts for 3% of the wage increase that female veterans experience, (b) occupation choice of veterans, partly explains the effect of veteran status has on earnings, and (c) a significant relationship between veteran status and race could not support a larger advantage for race/ethnic minority females. Finally, the author discusses why there may be a wage advantage for female veterans and what implications this may have on the gender wage gap.
