Workforce Skills across the Urban-Rural Hierarchy
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Staff Report No0. 552
Jaison R. Abel, Todd M. Gabe, Kevin Stolarick
February 2012
Abstract
This paper examines differences in the skill content of work throughout the United
States, ranging from densely populated city centers to isolated and sparsely populated rural areas. To do so, we classify detailed geographic areas into categories along the entire urban-rural hierarchy. An occupation-based cluster analysis is then used to measure the types of skills available in the regional workforce, which allows for a broader measure of human capital than is captured by conventional measures. We fi nd that the occupation clusters most prevalent in urban areas—scientists, engineers, and executives—are characterized by high levels of social and resource-management skills, as well as the ability to generate ideas and solve complex problems. By contrast, the occupation clusters that are most prevalent in rural areas—machinists, makers, and laborers—are among the lowest in terms of required skills. These differences in the skill content of work shed light on the
pattern of earnings observed across the urban-rural hierarchy.
Key words: human capital, skills, occupations, urban-rural, earnings
This paper presents preliminary findings and is being distributed to economists
and other interested readers solely to stimulate discussion and elicit comments.
The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and are not necessarily
reflective of views at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal
Reserve System. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the authors.
1 comment:
Just some random thoughts triggered by this study (Canadian perspective):
Raised in a small village, developed a sort of "nature-girl" persona, taught in small towns and big cities, but in the end, have gravitated "cityward" in spite of myself. That said, "my" city (Vancouver) has perhaps the best mix of city-country advantages.
Even in the smaller towns, teachers, scientists, engineers and doctors (perhaps not so many executives) are needed and hired.
Salaries, in general, are higher for those willing to work away from large cities.
Many who officially (academia) place lower on the skill-level scale often seem to show a kind of ingenuity and creativity in managing a wider variety of needs than I think may be the case with specialists and/or big business executives employed in larger cities.
For me, the opportunity to experience a greater range of cultural entertainment has probably been the deciding factor in my pull to city life.
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