This study provides a quantitative review of the empirical literature on gender wage discrimination. Although there is considerable agreement that gender wage discrimination exists, estimates of its magnitude vary widely. Our meta-regression analysis (MRA) reveals that the estimated gender gap has been steadily declining and the wage rate calculation to be crucial Large biases are likely when researchers omit experience or fail to correct for selection bias. Finally, there appears to be significant gender bias in gender research. However, it is a virtuous variety where researchers tend to compensate for potential bias implicit in their gender membership. (JEL J7, C8)

T.D. Stanley is a professor of economics and business at Hendrix College. Stephen B. Jarrell is a professor of economics at Western Carolina University. An earlier version of this research was presented at the 65th annual conference of the Southern Economic Association held in New Orleans, November 1995. Without the gracious and capable assistance of Associate Librarian Dolores H. Thompson, Director of Bailey Library, Robert Frizzell, and the Hunter Library Reference Section at Western Carolina University, this research would not have been possible. We also would like to thank the College of Business and the College of Research and Graduate Studies of Western Carolina University for their financial assistance, and Joyce Jacobsen for her comments and encouragement. Needless to say, any remaining errors or omissions are our responsibility alone. The data used in this article can be obtained beginning March 1999 to February 2002 from Stephen B. Jarrell, Department of Economics, Finance and International Business, College of Business, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723.