Disparities in the Wage-and-Salary Earnings, Determinants, and Distribution of Health Economics, Outcomes Research, and Market Access Professionals: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to estimate the wage-and-salary earnings of a sample of health economics, outcomes research, and market access (HE/OR/MA) professionals; compare male versus female and US versus non-US earnings; assess the magnitude of the effect of several human-capital and job-related covariates on the determination of earnings; and examine inequality in the distribution of earnings. Methods: The study used self-reported survey data collected in 2017 from a subset of HE/OR/MA professionals in the HealthEconomics.com global subscriber list. HE/OR/MA professionals in this subset completed a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 372 participants who reported their wage-and-salary earnings and other indicators. The sample was not necessarily representative of the global HE/OR/MA community. The study methods included a two-way classification model with multiple replications, an ordinary least-squares model, and three inequality indicators. Principal Findings: The results suggested substantial disparities between the wage-and-salary earnings of respondents living in the USA and those living in other countries; mild gender disparities in earnings; greater inequality outside the USA than within the USA; and, within each location, more unequal distribution of men’s earnings than that of women’s earnings. Conclusions: Although the findings may not be extrapolated to the worldwide population of HE/OR/MA professionals, they provide a point of comparison with earlier studies and offer insights into the mechanics of one of the most innovative and fastest growing health-sector workforce segments in developed as well as emerging countries.