Wage Variances and Disparities: Unraveling the Impact of Spanish-Required Language Skills and Locational Variables in the Construction Job Market

Abstract

The major objective of this research is to investigate wage variations and disparities within the construction job market by employing a comprehensive approach that intertwines the influence of Spanish-required language skills and the nuanced impact of locational variables. Given the large number of Hispanic workers in the construction workforce, understanding the dynamics of wages for job openings requiring Spanish is necessary. Initial findings revealed a lower mean wage for Spanish-required jobs compared to non-Spanish-required jobs across the United States. However, wage determination is multifaceted, influenced by many factors such as job types, experiences, and locations. To unravel this complexity, this study collected construction job information through web scraping, imported additional data from various sources, and utilized random forest and spatial visualization techniques to explain the dynamics shaping wage structures within Spanish-required and non-Spanish-required job openings. The results provide distinct contributions of language and location relative to wage dynamics, and there is no distinct disparity or benefit associated with Spanish language requirements. This study not only enhances our comprehension of wage patterns in the construction job market but also captures the multifaceted relationships inherent in labor markets.