Aiming High: Explaining the Earnings Advantage for Female Veterans. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Padavic, Irene; Prokos, Anastasia
• Other Names: Moore Brenda L. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Armed forces and society. Volume 43:Number 2(2017:Apr.)
• Page Start: 368
• Page End: 386
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: bridging hypothesis -- female veterans -- race/ethnicity -- veterans' earnings -- labor market; Sociology, Military -- Periodicals; Sociology, Military -- United States -- Periodicals; Armed Forces -- Periodicals; United States -- Armed Forces -- Periodicals; 306.27
• DOI: 10.1177/0095327X16682044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-327X

Abstract

This study investigates how veteran status influences earnings for working-age American women. Recent increases in women's participation in the U.S. military mean that the proportion of female veterans is rising and is forecast to increase over the next 30 years. Yet we still know relatively little about the relationship between women's military experience and later labor-market outcomes. Drawing on American Community Survey data from 2008 to 2010 and employing a new set of occupational categories better suited to veterans, we investigate how occupation and race/ethnicity influence the effect of veteran status on women's earnings. Findings corroborate previous support for the "bridging hypothesis" in two ways. First, veterans are overrepresented in higher paying occupations and underrepresented in the lowest paying ones, partially accounting for their higher earnings. Second, military experience particularly enhances the earnings of disadvantaged race/ethnic minority women.