Department
Management Information Systems
Document Type
Poster
Abstract
Background: A U.S. state with one of the highest levels of economic opportunity and educational attainment, Minnesota continues to illustrate persistent wage disparities across gender and racial groups. Income differences influence not only financial stability, but also access to healthcare, housing, and overall well-being. It is, therefore, essential to understand which demographic factors most strongly predict earnings in order to reinforce equitable workforce development across the state. We ask: what factors—such as gender, race, and education—most strongly predict wage disparities among Minnesota workers? Objective: To examine how gender, race, and education contribute to wage disparities among Minnesota workers and determine whether education alone can equalize income outcomes. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2023 ACS IPUMS Minnesota microdata, containing ~350,000 working-age individuals. Income (INCTOT) was analyzed using: • Descriptive statistics and pivot charts (Excel) to compare average earnings by gender, race, and education levels. • Multiple linear regression (RStudio) to evaluate the independent effects of gender, race, and education on income, controlling for age. Statistical significance assessed at α = 0.05.
Publication Date
Fall 12-4-2025
Recommended Citation
Topp, Toni, "Structural Inequality in Minnesota’s Workforce: A Regression Analysis of Wage Determinants" (2025). Student Scholarship. 14.
https://metroworks.metrostate.edu/student-scholarship/14
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Comments
Fall 2025: Student Research Conference