There have been many discussions about the various capabilities of older workers compared to younger workers, but a recent survey, from the Conference Board, shows there is a substantial difference when it comes to job satisfaction.
The survey found that 72.4% of workers aged 55 and older are satisfied with their jobs, while just 57.4% of workers under age 25 report being satisfied.
While overall worker satisfaction climbed 5.7 percentage points—the largest single-year gain in the survey’s history—those under 25 were the only age group to experience a decline. In contrast, older workers saw substantial improvements across nearly every dimension of work.
“This year’s results reveal a widening generational divide in how happy workers are in their jobs,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher, human capital at The Conference Board, in a statement. “While mid- and late-career workers are reaping the benefits of improved leadership, manageable workloads, and meaningful work, younger workers are still searching for the right culture fit. This highlights a need for more personalized strategies to engage early-career talent.”
Key findings are as follows:
Job satisfaction spikes—and reaches a historic high.
- Job satisfaction is now at the highest level since the survey began in 1987.
- Workers reported higher satisfaction across 26 of 27 elements, declining only in the quality of equipment.
- Sentiment also improved across five additional engagement factors—intent to stay, level of effort, sense of belonging, engagement, and mental health.
Culture is king—not compensation.
- The top drivers of satisfaction were intrinsic and culture-driven: interest in work, quality of leadership, workplace culture, workload, and supervisor relationships.
- By contrast, satisfaction with compensation—such as wages, bonuses, and traditional benefits—had less influence on overall satisfaction.
Job switchers report higher satisfaction.
- Job turnover slowed in 2024, but satisfaction among recent job switchers slightly outpaced that of job stayers (70.5% vs. 69.6%).
- Workers moving into new roles cited culture and growth opportunities—not compensation—as primary drivers for change.
Why are workers happier?
- Economic strength—low unemployment, stable compensation growth—likely buoyed worker morale.
- At the same time, workplace innovations like clear performance feedback, hybrid flexibility, and transparent career paths contributed to rising satisfaction.
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Women are now happier than men…but not when it comes to pay.
- For the first time in seven years, women edged out men in overall job satisfaction.
- Women still trail men across 21 of 27 job satisfaction metrics—particularly those tied to compensation like pay, bonuses, and retirement benefits.