The role of occupational attainment, labor market structure, and earnings inequality on the relative earnings of Mexican Americans: 1986-1992

This article analyzes how the 1990-1991 recession and recent changes in U.S. immigration laws may have affected the employment and earnings of Mexican Americans. Using data from the 1986 and 1992 waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (n = 2,091), the authors attempt to explain the decline in real earnings experienced by Mexican Americans during this period. The relative earnings of Mexican American males (females) fell from 92.41% (77.67%) in 1986 to 82.54% (74.71%) in 1992. Although Mexican Americans seem to be relatively concentrated in low-paying occupations, recent changes in the U.S. wage structure may have worked to offset the observed decrease in relative earnings.