The Beauty Premium at Work

What economists found about attractive people earning more, why this happens, and what it means for fairness in hiring.

Economists have studied whether appearance affects earnings.

The research

Economist Daniel Hamermesh, in studies and his book “Beauty Pays” (2011), found that people rated as more attractive tend to earn more than those rated less attractive, with gaps of several percent.

Why

Employer preferences or bias.
Customer preferences in jobs with public contact.
Confidence: attractive people may receive more encouragement growing up.

Other appearance factors

Height: taller people earn more on average in many studies.
Weight: some studies find penalties, especially for women.

Is it discrimination?

If appearance doesn’t affect productivity but affects pay, it’s a form of discrimination. Some places, like certain US cities, ban discrimination based on height or weight.

Why it matters

The beauty premium helps explain spending on beauty and grooming as an investment in career outcomes.

Reducing bias

Blind hiring processes.
Structured interviews focused on skills.

The interview

Two equally qualified candidates interview for a sales role. Studies suggest the one perceived as more attractive may be more likely to get the job and a higher starting salary.

Thinking pay reflects only skills

Appearance can affect earnings, suggesting bias.

Key takeaways

Research finds attractive people tend to earn more.
Employer and customer preferences may explain it.
Height and weight also affect pay.
Blind hiring and structured interviews reduce bias.