Over the long run, she argues, the globalization of software and computer services will enhance American productivity growth and create new higher-value, higher-paid technical jobs.

The remainder, generally in higher-ranking and higher-paid jobs, have been exempted as professional staff.

In the 10-month trial in 1984, the agency relied entirely on statistical evidence that women were under-represented in the higher-paid jobs.

Even though they're higher-paid jobs, it won't be difficult for the state to absorb the loss," he said.

But these workers take such jobs because they lack the training for higher-paid jobs, not because low-paying occupations are dominant in a service economy.

But this still leaves the question of why men do more of the higher-paid jobs.

"In other words, what the U.S. does well is the highly skilled, higher-paid jobs within those tradable services."

But phasing out the tax credit hits near-poor workers just like a tax hike - discouraging them from working longer hours or taking higher-paid jobs.

More technicians, he added, mean larger numbers of people in higher-paid jobs.

This is not just a bending to political pressure to bring in higher-paid jobs; it is a commercial necessity.