Publications
The Hamilton Project produces and commissions policy proposals and analyses to promote broad-based economic growth by embracing a significant role for well-designed government policies and public investment.
Papers
A primer on SNAP work requirements
An explainer on work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) summarizes the research on work requirements and their efficacy.
Economic Security & Inequality
Employment & Wages
Social Insurance
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Posts
Work permit applications suggest prior immigration is still pushing up labor supply—for now
Employment & Wages
Immigration
Posts
Higher new Census population estimates will affect the employment report
Employment & Wages
Immigration
Posts
Low-income workers experience—by far—the most earnings and work hours instability
Economic Security & Inequality
Employment & Wages
Explore All Publications
How women are still left behind in the labor market
Despite progress in recent years, women still face pay disparities in the labor market. In this blog, Hamilton Project Director Jay Shambaugh and Policy Direct…
How occupational licensing matters for wages and careers
Workers with a license tend to receive a wage premium relative to unlicensed workers. Using new data from the Current Population Survey, Ryan Nunn examines the…
A proposal for protecting low-income workers from monopsony and collusion
Labor market collusion or monopsonization—the exercise of employer market power in labor markets—may contribute to wage stagnation, rising inequality, and decl…
Coming and going: Encouraging geographic mobility at college entry and exit to lift wages
Geography is an important part of economic opportunity—but due to monetary and nonmonetary costs of migration, college attendance is less likely for those who …
Information is power: Fostering labor market competition through transparent wages
One of the challenges of wage stagnation is asymmetric information, whereby employers have a greater knowledge of the distribution of wages relative to workers…
Stagnation in lifetime incomes: An overview of trends and potential causes
Lifetime incomes have stagnated significantly since the 1960s. This paper presents policy proposals that aim to boost wage growth for younger workers.
Reforming non-competes to support workers
Firms use non-competes widely in order to minimize recruiting costs, safeguard investments, and protect intellectual property more easily than is achieved via …
Revitalizing wage growth: Policies to get American workers a raise
One simple question—are wages rising?—is as central to the health of our democracy as it is to the health of our economy. This book presents evidence and analy…
