Gender Integration of Occupations in the Federal Civil Service: Extent and Effects on Male-Female Earnings

tion of occupations proceeded more rapidly and steadily in the federal civil service than in the general economy. During that period, increas-ing numbers of women moved into traditionally male occupations, especially in professional and administrative work. Little of that progress, the author finds, was attributable to changes in women's education or seniority. Although average grades (indicating levels of responsibility) in male-dominated occupations declined as women entered them, gen-der integration of occupations helped to narrow male-female pay dis-parities in the federal service more than in the general economy. H ave recent declines in the gender seg-regation of occupations led to greater male-female earnings equality? Although many studies have suggested the need to desegregate occupations to narrow the gen-der earnings gap, few have tested the im-pact of desegregation either on pay in indi