@TechReport{iza:izadps:dp18816,
            	author={Bamieh, Omar and Cintolesi, Andrea and Pagliero, Mario},
            	title={Estimating the Returns to Occupational Licensing: Evidence from Regression Discontinuities at the Bar Exam},
            	year={2026},
	month={Jul},
            	institution={Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)},
            	address={Bonn},
            	type={IZA Discussion Paper},
            	number={18816},
            	url={https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp18816},
	abstract={We estimate the earnings returns to occupational licensing by exploiting regression discontinuities at the Italian bar exam. Law graduates who became lawyers after barely passing the exam earned 20,000 euros (50%) more per year than they would have in alternative occupations. This premium is not driven by monopoly rents from entry barriers. Instead, it reflects a compensating differential for the greater earnings risk inherent in the legal profession relative to the outside options available to law graduates.},
	keywords={labor market regulation;occupational licensing;field of study;lawyers},
            }