The American Job Quality Study:
2025 State of the U.S. Labor Force

As financial pressure grows across the U.S., the 2025 American Job Quality Study found that only 39% of W-2 workers hold quality jobs. 

Furthermore, 29% of employees report just getting by financially and another 43% say they are doing only okay financially. This first of its kind study provides additional explanation behind Americans’ lagging belief in the American dream and promise of a better economic future.

The American Job Quality Study was conducted by Jobs for the Future, Gallup, the Families & Workers Fund, and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment to provide a national examination of the quality of jobs in the U.S. – looking beyond traditional labor force data¹.  

The study draws from a nationally representative survey that measured workers’ experiences to assess job quality across five key dimensions. The study defines a “quality job” as one with at least three of the five dimensions²: 

01 | Financial Well-Being
Fair pay, stable employment and benefits that meet basic needs and reduce financial stress. 

02 | Workplace Culture and Safety 
A safe, respectful environment free from discrimination or harassment. 

03 | Growth and Development Opportunities 
A clear path to build skills, gain experience and advance in one’s career. 

04 | Agency and Voice 
Influence over decisions that shape one’s job, such as pay, working conditions and implementation of technology. 

05 | Work Structure and Autonomy 
A stable, predictable schedule, a manageable workload, and meaningful control over when and how work gets done. 

Image of the American Job Quality Study cover

Key Findings from the 2025 American Job Quality Study

Chart showing 39% of quality jobs overall for W2 workers

39% of U.S. W-2
workers are in quality jobs, consistent across full-time and part-time roles. 

U.S. map showing percentages of quality jobs per region

Quality jobs exist throughout the U.S. but are more common in the West than other Census regions.

  • 58%

    of employees with quality jobs report high job satisfaction, including greater well-being, life satisfaction, happiness, and health.

  • 29%

    of employees say they are “just getting by” or “finding it difficult to get by.” Another 43% say they are “doing okay,” while only 27% report living comfortably.

  • 35%

    of employees report having no opportunities for promotion or advancement in their current roles. Access to opportunities differs by employee subgroups.

  • 62%

    of employees lack schedules that are predictable or stable, and 54% say they often or sometimes work longer than planned.

  • 48%

    of employees feel they do not have a voice in decision making that affects their working conditions. This is consistent across roles and socioeconomic backgrounds.

  • 25%

    of employees report being treated unfairly or discriminated against in the workplace.

¹ Results from the American Job Quality Survey are based on self-administered web and mail surveys conducted Jan. 13-Feb. 25, 2025, with a random sample of 18,429 U.S. adults, aged 18 to 75, who worked for pay in the prior seven days.

² The five key dimensions used to define a quality job in the American Job Quality Study share many similarities with the six key attributes of HCAP’s Gainful Jobs Approach but do not examine aspects of job quality related to Broad-based Participation or Wellness Initiatives.