The American Job Quality Study (2025) conducted by Jobs for the Future, Gallup, The Families & Workers Fund, and W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research defines job quality based on five dimensions that research shows matter most to workers and businesses:

1. Financial well-being: Fair pay, stable employment, and benefits that meet basic needs and reduce financial stress.
2. Workplace culture and safety: A safe, respectful environment free from discrimination or harassment.
3. Growth and development opportunities: A clear path to build skills, gain experience, and advance in one’s career.
4. Agency and voice: Influence over decisions that shape one’s job, such as pay, working conditions, and implementation of technology.
5. Work structure and autonomy: A stable, predictable schedule, a manageable workload, and meaningful control over when and how work gets done.

The study found that most U.S. workers (60%) lack quality jobs, resulting in lower well-being and satisfaction, factors that affect retention, productivity, and business performance. The study of more than 18,000 people was the first nationally representative survey of job quality across the entire U.S. workforce.