| By: |
Cieply, Isea (University of Goettingen);
Barros, Laura (University of Goettingen);
Silbersdorff, Alexander (University of Goettingen);
Kneib, Thomas (University of Goettingen);
Kis-Katos, Krisztina (University of Goettingen) |
| Abstract: |
How large is the gender pay gap among university professors, and how do
institutional pay-setting mechanisms shape this disparity? This paper provides
novel empirical evidence on the gender pay gap among professors at a renowned
German university. Using detailed human resources data for the time span 2013
to 2021, we document a statistically significant conditional gender pay gap in
professorial salaries of 5.2%, after controlling for employment
characteristics, socio-demographics, performance measures, and faculty and
year fixed effects. Our findings show that these differentials can be
attributed mainly to lower returns from retention negotiations, which have a
particularly strong impact during the earlier stages of academic careers.
These results highlight the importance of pay system designs in promoting
gender equity in academia. |
| Keywords: |
gender pay gap, gender economics, wage differentials, wage negotiations, professorial salaries |
| JEL: |
E24 J01 J16 J31 |
| Date: |
2026–02 |
| URL: |
https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18376 |