Potential labour market entrants make decisions based partially on their expected returns. This paper estimates rates of private returns for public, private, self-employed, and own account workers, using the 2001 census for Jamaica. Pay differentials are identified to exist between public and private sectors, and the self-employed and own account workers. In particular, the public sector pays a significant premium, which is likely reflective of its assessment of the quality of education at the tertiary level, as well as the government’s significant investment in tertiary education.