Michelle ThompsonA recent Pew Research Center survey of nearly 5,400 U.S. workers reveals that while most employees feel satisfied and secure in their jobs, concerns about pay persist for a significant portion.
According to the findings, 88% of respondents expressed overall job satisfaction, with 50% feeling highly satisfied and 38% somewhat satisfied. White workers were the most likely to report being highly satisfied (55%), compared to 44% of Hispanic workers, 43% of Black workers, and 42% of English-speaking Asian workers. Job satisfaction also varied by age, with 67% of workers aged 65 and older feeling highly satisfied, followed by 56% of those aged 50 to 64.
Income level also influenced satisfaction. Over half of middle- and upper-income earners reported high satisfaction, compared to 42% of lower-income earners. Workers generally felt positive about various job aspects, such as benefits, pay, skill development, and workplace relationships, with 69% citing strong job security. However, 38% were dissatisfied with promotion opportunities, and nearly a third were unhappy with their pay (20% not too satisfied, 10% not satisfied at all).
Among those dissatisfied with their compensation, 80% attributed their concerns to wages not keeping up with the cost of living. Additionally, 71% felt their pay was inadequate for the quality of their work, and 70% believed it was insufficient for the workload.
The survey highlights broader economic challenges. Government data indicates that full-time year-round workers earn a median income of $60,000 today, a 12% increase from $53,580 in 2000 after adjusting for inflation. However, this remains below the inflation-adjusted $64,321 median income of 2020. Rising inflation, especially impacting grocery prices, was a significant concern for voters in the 2024 U.S. election, as reported by AP VoteCast.
Showing a bit of respect can make a significant difference.
A key factor behind the high levels of job satisfaction and security among U.S. workers may be the respect they experience in their workplace.
According to Pew researchers, a large majority of employees report feeling respected by their colleagues (86%) and supervisors (82%) most or all of the time. Additionally, 72% say they receive similar respect from customers or clients.
Workers in health care and social assistance sectors are among the most likely to report being treated respectfully (56%). In contrast, those in hospitality, service, arts, entertainment, recreation, and retail industries are less likely to feel they receive adequate respect.
Looking for a new job?
The Pew survey shows that most workers (63%) are unlikely to seek a new job in the coming months, while 25% intend to do so, and 12% remain uncertain.
Groups most inclined to job hunt include Black workers, lower-income earners, and those aged 18–30, with 37% of each group indicating plans to seek new opportunities. In contrast, White workers (20%), upper-income earners (17%), and individuals aged 50–64 (16%) or 65 and older (10%) are the least likely to look for new work.
Job dissatisfaction plays a significant role in job-hunting decisions. Workers dissatisfied with their jobs are much more likely to consider a change (64%) compared to those highly satisfied (11%). Similarly, job security influences these decisions, with 58% of workers who feel they have “no job security at all” saying they are likely to search for new employment.
Many anticipate that securing their desired job will become more challenging.
More than half of workers (52%) believe it would be difficult to find a job they want today, a significant increase from 37% in 2022, according to Pew Research Center findings.
Pew noted that while perceptions of job security and the likelihood of seeking new employment have remained stable over the past two years, workers are now far more inclined to say finding a desirable job would be “very” or “somewhat” challenging. This sentiment spans all demographics, but it is particularly pronounced among younger workers aged 18–29 and lower-income individuals.
The survey, conducted in October, included U.S. adults aged 18 and older who work either full- or part-time in a single primary job for pay and are not self-employed.
How the US workforce has changed?
Pew’s report highlighted changes in the characteristics of U.S. working adults since 2000, based on government data.
Today, more workers hold a college degree (45% compared to 31% in 2000), and the workforce is older, with the median age rising from 39 to 42. Additionally, a greater proportion of workers are aged 50 or older (34% today vs. 24% in 2000).
While White workers remain the largest demographic, their share has decreased from 71% to 60% over the past 25 years. The proportion of Hispanic and Asian workers has grown, from 12% in 2000 to 19% today, while the percentage of Black workers has remained stable (12% today vs. 11% in 2000). Gender distribution has not changed significantly, with women representing 47% of the workforce today, compared to 46% in 2000.
The share of foreign-born workers has also increased, now comprising 19% of the workforce, up from 13% in 2000.
