Pay is also relatively lower in small firms, although the size of the small firm sector does not appear significant in determining overall regional pay rates; it is the degree of similarity in firm sizes within a region - an indication of the extent of competition between firms - which appears important in keeping pay rates and labour costs at lower levels.
Forskelle i industristrukturen synes imidlertid ikke at udgøre nogen særlig vigtig årsag til internationale forskelle i lønomkostningerne; tværtimod kan lønforskelle mellem firmaer inden for samme industri ofte være meget større end forskelle mellem industrier.