A Comparison of Salary Structures between Economics and Agricultural Economics Departments

This study is the first to empirically assess the difference between the prevailing salary structures in economics and agricultural economics departments at public institutions in the United States. We find that average salaries in economics departments tend to be higher than salaries in agricultural economics departments. Regression analysis suggest that years since Ph.D. explains a greater proportion of salaries in agricultural economics departments while the tier of school explains a great proportion of salaries structure in economics departments. Regression results also suggest that the returns to publications in top 36 and other economics journals is higher in economics departments while publications in core and regional agricultural economics journals is more highly rewarded in agricultural economics departments.

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