Survey: Job Satisfaction Gap Widens Between Younger & Older Workers

NEW YORK, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey reveals a striking 15-point gap in job satisfaction between the oldest and youngest generations.

According to a new report from The Conference Board, only 57.4% of US workers under age 25 report being satisfied with their jobs. That's in comparison to 72.4% of those aged 55 and older.

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. "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."

The Conference Board Job Satisfaction survey has been conducted since 1987 and is the longest running of its kind in the United States. The 2025 edition is based on data collected through the Consumer Confidence Survey®, with responses from 1,700 employed US workers.

Insights include:

Job satisfaction spikes—and reaches a historic high.

• Job satisfaction spiked by 5.7 percentage points—the largest single-year jump in the survey's history.
• 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 quality of equipment.
• Sentiment also improved across five additional engagement factors—intent to stay, level of effort, sense of belonging, engagement, and mental health.

Why are workers happier? A resilient labor market and stronger emphasis on employee retention.

• 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.

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.

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.

About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead™. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.ConferenceBoard.org 

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SOURCE The Conference Board