Maria Jose’ Gonzalez Lopez (Pompeu Fabra University)

No Matter Gay, Straight’: Wage Disparities and Career Trajectories of Transgender Individuals in Spain

Abstract: This pioneering study examines the socio-economic trajectories of transgender people in Spain, addressing critical gaps in the literature by incorporating dynamic longitudinal data and a robust, representative sample. Unlike previous research that relies on cross-sectional snapshots, this article delves into the life histories of transgender people, offering an unprecedented analysis of their labour market outcomes and the economic implications of gender transition. Two key questions guide this investigation: How does the age at which an individual transitions affect occupational status and earnings? And how do the economic consequences of transition differ between trans men and trans women? Using a novel methodological approach that combines life course analysis and wage estimation across 18 waves of the Continuous Sample of Working Lives (MCVL), the study provides a comprehensive comparison between transgender and cisgender populations. The findings shed light on the nuanced ways in which gender transition affects economic life, revealing significant differences in career trajectories and wages. By providing new insights into the labour market experiences of transgender people, this study challenges static, outdated approaches to understanding trans lives and opens up new avenues for research on gender, work and inequality.