Abstract

This article explores wage differentials between men and women. First, the aggregate wage differential for Chilean professionals is reviewed. Then, we explore the wage gap heterogeneity between men and women when we study wage differentials by university major fields. When considering different majors the study groups become more homogeneous. Wage discrimination by gender among professionals varies from 10% (journalism) to 34% (accounting). In light of the results, a new question arises: What are these gender differences among university careers due to? Along with the analysis indicated above, potential explanations and interpretations of the results are provided, based on opinion polls carried out in order to contextualize the present findings. The wage differential is decomposed into two components, a gender discrimination and a social one. The magnitude of gender discrimination among professionals is similar to 10%. The magnitude of social discrimination among professions depends on the flexibility to control the labor supply and the role played by job promotions.