Description

ERSCOR90 is a constructed variable that assigns a measure of the median earned income for each occupation using the modified version of the 1990 occupational classification scheme available in the OCC1990 variable.

In order to maximize comparability over time, the median earned income reported in ERSCOR90 is standardized as a "z-score" and then converted to a percentile rank. ERSCOR90 reports the percentage of persons in occupations having lower standardized median earnings than the respondent's occupation. The scores were based on the earnings levels of the employed civilian labor force aged 16 and above, excluding persons who did not work in the past one year.

ERSCOR90 values were created in two steps. The first step was to derive a standardized z-score for earnings in each occupational category. These scores indicated the number of standard deviations by which each occupational category differed from the mean earnings of all occupations. The second step in creating ERSCOR90 was to convert these standardized z-scores to a percentile rank. For example, the median earned income for occupation category 808 (Bus drivers) was $11,748 in 1990. This occupational category's ERSCOR90 value of 17 indicates that 17% of workers are in occupations having lower standardized median earned incomes than that of bus drivers.

From 1990 onward, these calculations rely in the INCEARN variable. From 1950-1980, these calculations rely on the sum of the variables specified below:

Alternative measures of occupational standing that are based on OCC1990 are available in EDSCOR90, HWSEI, NPBOSS90, and PRENT. For information on occupational standing measures, see see "Integrated Occupation and Industry Codes and Occupational Standing Variables in the IPUMS."

User caution: There is significant debate about the usefulness of composite measures of occupational standing (in the IPUMS, these variables include SEI, HWSEI, NPBOSS50, and NPBOSS90). We strongly urge researchers to read our user note on this issue and to familiarize themselves with the debates surrounding the use of these variables.

ERSCOR90 is a constructed 4-digit numeric variable which assigns a measure of the median earned income for each occupation using the 1990 occupational classification scheme available in the OCC1990 variable. To maximize comparability over time, the median earned income reported in ERSCOR90 is standardized as a "z-score" and then converted to a percentile rank. ERSCOR90 reports the percentage of persons in occupations having lower standardized median earnings than the respondent's occupation. The scores were based on the earnings levels of the employed civilian labor force aged 16 and above, excluding persons who did not work in the past one year. ERSCOR90 has one implied decimal. For example, an ERSCOR90 value of 0061 should be interpreted as 6.1. This division is performed automatically in the extract setup files. ERSCOR90 specific variable codes for missing, edited, or unidentified observations, observations not applicable (N/A), observations not in universe (NIU), top and bottom value coding, etc. are provided below if applicable by Census year (and data sample if specified).

User Note: There is significant debate about the usefulness of composite measures of occupational standing (in the IPUMS, these variables include SEI, HWSEI, NPBOSS50, and NPBOSS90). We strongly urge researchers to read our user note on this issue and to familiarize themselves with the debates surrounding the use of these variables.

ERSCOR90 Specific Variable Codes
9999 = N/A

Comparability

This variable is comparable across years.

ERSCOR50 offers a similar variable that is based on the occupational classification scheme available in OCC1950.

Persons under age 16 were not included in the calculation of ERSCOR90 values in any year. Prior to 1980, when occupational information was collected for some persons under age 16, we have assigned ERSCOR90 values to all workers, even though the incomes of those under age 16 were not included in the construction of the variable.

Universe

Availability

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: All samples
• 2010: ACS; ACS 3yr; ACS 5yr
• 2009: All samples
• 2008: All samples
• 2007: All samples
• 2006: All samples
• 2005: All samples
• 2004: All samples
• 2003: All samples
• 2002: All samples
• 2001: All samples
• 2000: All samples
• 1990: All samples
• 1980: All samples
• 1970: All samples
• 1960: All samples
• 1950: All samples
• 1940: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --
• 1900: --
• 1880: --
• 1870: --
• 1860: --
• 1850: --

• 2023: --
• 2022: --
• 2021: --
• 2020: --
• 2019: --
• 2018: --
• 2017: --
• 2016: --
• 2015: --
• 2014: --
• 2013: --
• 2012: --
• 2011: --
• 2010: --
• 2009: --
• 2008: --
• 2007: --
• 2006: --
• 2005: --
• 2000: --
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --

Flags

Editing Procedure

There is no editing procedure available for this variable.