The job satisfaction gap between younger and older workers continues to widen, with a 15-point difference emerging in 2025, according to a June 11 report from The Conference Board.
While 72.4% of workers ages 55 and older report job satisfaction, only 57.4% of workers under age 25 say the same. Although overall worker satisfaction jumped a record 5.7 percentage points, those under 25 experienced a decline — the only group to do so.
“This year’s results reveal a widening generational divide in how happy workers are in their jobs,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher of human capital at The Conference Board. “While mid- and later-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.”
In a survey of 1,700 U.S. workers, job satisfaction experienced the largest single-year jump since the survey began in 1987 and has reached the highest point since then. Workers reported higher satisfaction across 26 of 27 areas, with declines only seen in the quality of equipment available.
Notably, worker sentiment increased across five engagement areas: intent to stay, level of effort, sense of belonging, engagement and mental health.
Worker morale could be increasing due to low unemployment and stable compensation growth, The Conference Board said. In addition, satisfaction appears to be rising due to hybrid flexibility, clear performance feedback and transparent career paths.
For the first time in seven years, women surpassed men in overall job satisfaction. At the same time, women trailed men in 21 of 27 job satisfaction metrics, especially ones related to compensation, such as pay, bonuses and retirement benefits.
The top drivers of satisfaction were “intrinsic and culture-driven,” including interest in work, quality of leadership, workplace culture, workload and supervisor relationships, the report found. In contrast, satisfaction with compensation — such as wages, bonuses and traditional benefits — had a lower influence on overall satisfaction.
While job turnover slowed in 2024, satisfaction among recent job switchers was slightly higher than those who stayed in their jobs, the report found. Workers who moved into new roles cited culture and growth opportunities, rather than compensation, as their main reasons for switching roles.
Although some groups have reported higher satisfaction at work in 2025, LGBTQ+ workers have reported more discrimination and less happiness at work, according to a report from WorkL and the Center for American Progress. Overall, these workers have experienced declines in their feelings of empowerment, pride in their work, job satisfaction and worker well-being.
In addition, employee feelings of respect at work have dropped to a record low, according to a Gallup survey. Managers can build respect, engagement and well-being by communicating with team members frequently and meaningfully, Gallup said.
Regardless of employee satisfaction, paid time off reduces job hopping for all employees, according to research from Florida Atlanta University and Cleveland State University. Voluntary turnover dropped by 35% among those offered PTO.
