Less than half of U.S. workers hold quality jobs according to new national survey

A recent national survey of 18,000 U.S. workers shows that less than half are in jobs that meet key quality standards, such as fair pay, predictable schedules, and opportunities for advancement. The American Job Quality Study (AJQS), led by Jobs for the Future, The Families & Workers Fund, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, and conducted by Gallup, offers new data that complements traditional labor market statistics by focusing on workers’ day-to-day experiences.

Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future, stated, “Traditional labor statistics track how many people are employed and what they earn—but they don’t capture the aspects of work that drive employee and business success. This is about creating a clearer, and more actionable, picture of our country’s economic health. With this data, our goal is to help policymakers, researchers, and business leaders understand the conditions that can support stronger businesses, better outcomes for workers, and inclusive economic growth.”

The study defines a “quality job” as one that meets minimum standards in at least three out of five dimensions: financial well-being, workplace culture and safety, growth and development opportunities, agency and voice, and work structure and autonomy. Workers in quality jobs report higher satisfaction (58% compared to 23% for those in lower-quality jobs), better health, and greater life satisfaction. These factors are linked to lower turnover and higher productivity.

Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Families and Workers Fund, said, “This first-of-its-kind survey can help business leaders, policymakers, and all of us work together to create more jobs that enable workers, families, and businesses to thrive now and in the future. Companies that invest in quality jobs tend to experience increased employee retention, productivity, and innovation.”

The survey found disparities in access to quality jobs across demographic groups, regions, and industries. For example, 39% of W-2 employees have quality jobs compared to 46% of non-W-2 workers such as independent contractors. Men are more likely than women to have quality jobs (45% versus 34%). Quality jobs are most common in the West (44%) compared to other regions.

Financial well-being remains a concern for many workers. About 29% say they are “just getting by” or struggling financially, while only 27% report living comfortably. Half of all employees earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty line for a family of two.

Most employees have autonomy over how they do their work but lack control over when they work. While 71% agree they can decide how to carry out their tasks, 62% lack stable or predictable schedules.

Respect at work is generally high—83% feel respected by co-workers and customers—but many want more influence over decisions affecting their jobs. Nearly seven in ten employees feel they have too little say over pay and benefits.

Participation in on-the-job training is linked with higher job satisfaction, yet only about half have engaged in such programs recently. Those with more education or who work at larger organizations are more likely to receive these opportunities.

Erica Groshen, former Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Research Fellow at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, commented, “No single data point or trend line can fully capture the complexity and scale of the U.S. economy. As a result, it’s easy to become overly reliant on long-standing metrics that, while critical, don’t tell the full story. The gap between what labor market data tells us and what workers are experiencing has only become clearer in recent years. The American Job Quality Study represents an effort to close that gap, grounded in rigorous research and a commitment to actionable, practical solutions for businesses and policy leaders.”

The AJQS surveyed workers aged 18-75 across various industries, geographies, income levels, and demographic groups using web-based methods with results weighted for national accuracy.

Susan Houseman, Senior Economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research said, “A unique feature of the survey is that it measures job quality not only for W-2 employees, but also for self-employed workers, including independent contractors and those in informal, cash-based jobs. The survey provides important information for research and policy on both the benefits and costs to workers in these non-traditional arrangements.”

Stephanie Marken, Senior Partner at Gallup added, “Counting jobs is no longer enough. This study shows what truly defines a good job and why job quality, not just job quantity, is essential to a thriving workforce. Workers in quality jobs aren’t just more satisfied, they’re also healthier, more engaged, and more productive. Improving job quality isn’t only the right thing for workers; it’s a smart investment in stronger businesses and a more resilient economy.”

The AJQS data set is now publicly available to inform future research, policy, and practice. Full findings from the American Job Quality Study can be accessed at https://www.jff.org/idea/the-american-job-quality-study/.

Jobs for the Future works to transform U.S. education and workforce systems to drive economic success for people, businesses, and communities.

Gallup provides analytics based on decades of experience regarding employee attitudes worldwide.

The Families & Workers Fund is a multi-donor fund focused on improving economic security through workforce systems reform.

The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research conducts labor market research to inform policy at all levels.