Americans Feel Safe in Their Jobs, But Many Want Better Pay

Let’s talk about how people feel about their jobs right now.

A recent survey shows that while most Americans feel secure in their jobs, many aren’t thrilled about their paychecks.

It’s a mixed bag of satisfaction and frustration, especially for younger and lower-income workers. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Job Security: Most Feel Safe

Around 69% of workers say they feel they have solid job security—meaning they don’t think they’ll lose their job anytime soon.

This feeling is stronger among older workers, White workers, and those earning middle or upper incomes.

But for lower-income workers, only a little over half feel the same way.

Job Satisfaction: Just Okay

Only half of workers are really happy with their jobs overall. Even fewer—about 30%—feel good about their pay.

Many workers say their wages haven’t kept up with the rising cost of living.

For lower-income workers, this means struggling to pay bills despite working hard.

Who’s the Most Satisfied?

Older workers and those with higher incomes tend to feel happier at work.

Among workers aged 65 and up, two-thirds say they’re very satisfied.

But for younger workers (ages 18 to 29), only 43% feel the same way.

The numbers also show that White workers are more likely to be satisfied compared to Hispanic, Black, or Asian workers.

Pay Problems: Falling Behind

Many workers feel like their pay doesn’t match the effort they put into their jobs.

About 70% say their wages haven’t kept up with inflation, and over half of lower-income workers say they don’t make enough to cover basic expenses.

Career or Just a Job?

Not everyone sees their current job as part of their long-term career.

Half of workers say their job is a career, while 35% see it as just a way to get by.

Younger workers are more likely to view their job as a stepping stone, but even many older workers say their job is just a means to an end.

Training and Respect: Room to Grow

Some workers say they need more training to move ahead in their careers, but time and money often get in the way.

Lower-income workers especially struggle to afford extra training.

Despite these challenges, most workers say they feel respected by their supervisors and coworkers.

The Bigger Picture

The unemployment rate is super low right now—just 3.6%, one of the best rates in decades.

Wages have risen since 2000 (adjusted for inflation), but not everyone feels the benefits equally.

The takeaway?

People may feel secure in their jobs, but there’s still work to be done to make pay and opportunities better for everyone.