Question

Consider the labor market for computer programmers, which is in equilibrium. During the late 1990s, the value of the marginal product of all computer programmers increased dramatically.
Holding all else equal, what effect did this process have on the equilibrium wage in the labor market for computer programmers?

a) The equilibrium wage did not change.
b) It is not possible to determine the equilibrium wage.
c) The equilibrium wage decreased.
d) The equilibrium wage increased.

Answer 1

Answer:

C) The equilibrium wage decreased.

Explanation:

Marginal product is the change in total production as a result of a one-unit-addition of a factor of production. The equilibrium wage will decrease as the increase in marginal product of the computer programmers causes a subsequent increase in the demand for computer programmers, since employing one more worker brings about an even higher production. The resources available for wages are held constant and have to be shared among the now bigger number of programmers, lowering the wage equilibrium level.