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Most of us know why we don’t like a job.

But how would you define a quality job? The size of the paycheck is no doubt a big part of it, but how else do you measure how good it is?

It’s a worthwhile question. If pay is only one piece, how much weight should you give things like career mobility, workplace culture, or workload?

A new Gallup study found that only 40% of Americans have what it defines as “quality” jobs. The study surveyed over 18,000 U.S. workers, scoring their jobs based on established minimum thresholds for not just fair pay and benefits, but also opportunities for advancement, sustainable schedules, and a voice in decisions.

“Quality jobs are still the exception in the U.S. workforce,” the researchers wrote when they released the findings last month. “Our experiences on the job shape the decisions we make, the companies we trust and how we show up each day — at work and at home. And yet, too often, conversations about the economy focus on job quantity, not quality.”

Roughly half of workers in professional services, finance, and wholesale met Gallup’s quality standard compared with less than 30% in leisure and hospitality, retail, and warehousing.

So what?

At the end of the day, you want a job that helps you thrive. But many employers still fall short in providing livable wages, opportunities for advancement, and a healthy work-life balance.

When the economy is unpredictable, many people understandably hold on to unsatisfying jobs. But that shouldn’t stop you from identifying what you want from your job — and strategizing how to make it happen, whether it’s now or in the future.

Here are some highlights from the study to help you assess:

Gallup, in partnership with the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and other researchers, defines a quality job first and foremost by fair pay. For full-timers, that means earnings of at least three times the federal poverty level for a two-person family, currently $5,287 per month. (Though the researchers acknowledged that this isn’t always enough, depending on someone’s location or other circumstances.) Yet half of respondents fell short.

To qualify, a job also had to score well in at least two of four quality-of-life areas: a healthy working environment, providing opportunities for advancement, getting a say in workplace decisions, and having a sustainable schedule. Gallup found that:

•  62% lacked a predictable schedule they could control.

•  54% worked extra or unplanned hours sometimes or often.

•  25% reported no opportunities for promotion or advancement.

•  24% experienced discrimination or unfair treatment at work.

•  69% said they/their co-workers didn’t have enough influence over pay and benefits.

•  55% said they/their co-workers didn’t have enough say over the use of new technology like AI.

Taken together, the findings show that job satisfaction involves more than just a paycheck — and that, for most Americans, stability and autonomy at work remain out of reach.

Related Readings

5 Things to Do To Feel Less Stuck at Your Job (SoFi)

Nearly Half of Workers Are “Job Hugging” as Comfort and Security Take Priority (Monster)

Job Seekers Stare Down a Gloomy Holiday Hiring Season (The Wall Street Journal)

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

OTM20251117SW

With the long government shutdown behind us, the market can finally get its bearings. But the fog hasn’t fully lifted. As we head into the week, the major questions for investors have shifted from “When will this end?” to “What’s the damage, and what do we do now?”

Getting the economic reports that were delayed, especially some of the monthly jobs and inflation data, will finally give investors a real read on the economy’s health. That said, we may never learn everything: While the data for September will eventually be released, the shutdown disrupted some of the October data collection.

Meanwhile, this week we’ll pivot to what has been one of the most important earnings reports for several years now: results from Nvidia (NVDA). The company is at the center of the artificial intelligence revolution, making its results and guidance a powerful harbinger of what’s next for the market.

Economic and Earnings Calendar

Note: This list includes all regularly scheduled reports, but most that involve government data may be delayed as the government reopens after the longest shutdown in history.

Monday

•   November Empire State Manufacturing Activity: The New York Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•   Fedspeak: New York Fed President John WIlliams will deliver welcoming remarks at the regional Fed’s 2025 Governance and Culture Reform Conference. Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari will moderate a fireside chat with the CEO of Ecolab.

•   Earnings: Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), Occidental Petroleum (OXY), Paramount Skydance (PSKY), Tyson Foods (TSN)

Tuesday

•   October Import/Export Price Indexes: These indexes track the changes in the prices of nonmilitary goods and services traded between the U.S. and the rest of the world.

•   November New York Services Activity: The New York Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•   October Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization: The industrial sector accounts for much of the cyclical swings in economic activity.

•   November NAHB Housing Market Index: This index tracks how homebuilders feel about the current and future state of the single-family housing market.

•   Earnings: Home Depot (HD), Medtronic (MDT)

Wednesday

•   October Building Permits and Housing Starts: Construction data is a leading indicator of economic activity.

•   FOMC Meeting Minutes: The Federal Reserve releases detailed notes of every FOMC meeting three weeks after their conclusion. Investors often look for more information on Fed officials’ views for hints on the outlook for interest rates and the economy.

•   Weekly Mortgage Applications: Mortgage activity gives insight on demand conditions in the housing market.

•   Fedspeak: New York Fed President John Williams will deliver welcoming remarks for the regional Fed event Making Missing Markets: Connecting Communities and Capital.

•   Earnings: Lowe’s Companies (LOW), NVIDIA (NVDA), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Target (TGT), TJX Companies (TJX), Williams-Sonoma (WSM)

Thursday

•   November Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Activity: The Philadelphia Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•   October Leading Economic Index: This is an index composed of various economic indicators that have historically led changes in the broader economy.

•   October Existing Home Sales: Most home transactions in any given month tend to come from the existing market, and as a result set the tone for the broader housing market.

•   November Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Activity: The Kansas City Fed’s survey of manufacturing executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•   Weekly Jobless Claims: This high frequency labor market data gives insight into filings for unemployment benefits.

•   Fedspeak: Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack will give opening remarks at the regional Fed’s 2025 Financial Stability Conference. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee will participate in a moderated discussion at the CFA Society of Indianapolis’ annual luncheon. Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson will discuss the economic outlook at the regional Fed’s 80th Annual Field Meeting Capstone.

•   Earnings: Copart (CPRT), Intuit (INTU), Jacobs Engineering Group (J), Ross Stores (ROST), Walmart (WMT)

Friday

•   November S&P Global US PMIs: These indexes track how purchasing managers across different industries feel about the business environment.

•   November University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment: How consumers feel about economic conditions affect their spending habits. This survey places a particular focus on inflation and its trajectory.

•   November Kansas City Fed Non-Manufacturing Activity: The Kansas City Fed’s survey of services executives in the region on business conditions and their outlook.

•   Fedspeak: Williams will deliver a keynote speech at the Central Bank of Chile’s annual conference. Dallas Fed President will participate in a panel discussion on economic uncertainty and the design and conduct of monetary policy.

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Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.