The determinants of wages among disabled Americans in non-STEM and STEM occupations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: More than 1 in 4 adult Americans have a disability limiting their daily functioning to earn living wages. Meanwhile, the shortage of U.S. professionals in STEM fields persists because of underrepresentation of specific groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates the determinants of wages among Americans with disabilities in non-STEM and STEM occupations to explore the feasibility of broadening their participation in STEM careers where they may earn higher wages and thereby, close the wage-gap with their non-disabled peers. METHODS: The study used a research design based on Mincer’s earnings regression model to analyze select variables as wage determinants based on data from the 2018 American Community Survey (ACS). RESULTS: While the findings suggest that within the Americans with disabilities group, working in a STEM occupation with a college degree in a STEM field was the best route to attain maximum wages, significant wage disparities exist compared to Americans without disabilities. CONCLUSION: The implications of the findings for Vocational Rehabilitation providers are discussed.