Abstract
This study examines the impact of occupational fields on the economic assimilation and human capital portability of foreign-born workers in the U.S. labor market. Using IPUMS USA data, I employ an econometric model to compare wage trajectories of foreign- and native-born workers across occupational categories, with a focus on STEM and non-STEM fields. Key explanatory variables include immigration status, years since migration, and occupational classification, while demographic and educational factors serve as controls. Results indicate that foreign-born workers experience significant initial wage penalties, particularly in STEM occupations (-26.66%), but exhibit the highest annual wage growth (+2.85%). Non-STEM laborers face smaller wage differentials (-5.11%) but recover at a slower rate (+1.65%). High-skilled professionals encounter networking barriers, leading to a -11.19% wage disadvantage with moderate growth (+1.86%). These findings underscore the critical role of occupational field in economic integration. Policy interventions enhancing credential recognition and professional networking could facilitate smoother economic assimilation for foreign-born workers.
How to Cite
Erlewein, T., (2025) “Assimilation Rates and Portability of Human Capital across Occupations”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 38(1).
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