Examining Wage Disparities by Race and Ethnicity of Health Care Workers. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frogner, Bianca K.; Schwartz, Malaika
• Is Part Of: Medical care. Volume 59:Number 10 (2021)Supplement 5
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: health workforce -- health professionals -- wages -- discrimination -- race -- ethnicity; Economics, Medical -- Periodicals; Insurance, Health -- Periodicals; Santé, Services de -- Administration -- Périodiques; Soins médicaux -- Périodiques; Medical economics -- Periodicals; Health insurance -- Periodicals; Medical economics -- United States -- Periodicals; Health insurance -- United States -- Periodicals; Comprehensive Health Care -- Periodicals; Personal Health Services -- Periodicals; Gezondheidszorg; Économie de la santé -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; Health insurance; Medical economics; United States; Periodicals; 362.10973
• DOI: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000001613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7079

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Prior studies demonstrated that wage disparities exist across race and ethnicity within selected health care occupations. Wage disparities may negatively affect the industry's ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce throughout the career ladder. Objective: To determine whether wage disparities by race and ethnicity persist across health care occupations and whether disparities vary across the skill spectrum. Research Design: Retrospective analysis of 2011–2018 data from the Current Population Survey using Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition regression methods to identify sources of variation in wage disparities. Separate models were run for 9 health care occupations. Subjects: Employed individuals 18 and older working in health care occupations, categorized by race/ethnicity. Measures: Annual wages were predicted as a function of race/ethnicity, age, sex, marital status, having a child under 5 in the household, living in a metro area, highest education attained, and usual hours worked. Results: Non-Hispanics consistently made more than Hispanic licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), aides/assistants, technicians, and community-based workers. Asian/Pacific Islanders consistently made more than Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Multiracial individuals across occupations except physicians, advanced practitioners, or therapists. Asian/Pacific Islanders only made significantly less when compared with White physicians, but more than White advanced practitioners, registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, and aides/assistants. Based on observed attributes, Black registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, and aides/assistants were predicted to make more than their White peers, but unexplained variation negated these gains. Conclusions: Many wage gaps remained unexplained based on measured factors warranting further study. Addressing wage disparities is critical to advance in careers and reduce job turnover. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.