Gallup Survey Finds Only 41% of US Workers Hold Quality Jobs

Only about four in 10 American workers say they have a decent job, according to a Gallup survey on job quality released Thursday. The share of workers meeting Gallup's quality-job standards stands at 41%, unchanged from 2025. Gallup defines a quality job as one meeting minimum standards for fair pay and benefits, a safe and respectful workplace free from harassment and discrimination, and a predictable schedule. The survey covered 17,874 employed adults ages 18 to 75 from Jan. 26 to March 24. Older workers and those with advanced degrees are more likely to hold good jobs. Workers in low-quality jobs were nearly twice as likely to change employers within a year, and 51% of those with higher-quality jobs report better health, versus 35% in non-quality jobs. The findings arrive amid a turbulent labor market: unemployment and layoffs remain low, but hiring rates have fallen, leaving job seekers—particularly new graduates—struggling to land roles. Human resources executives and workplace experts also point to AI adoption, with some employers testing whether they can do more with fewer workers. Gallup notes AI use is more common in the better jobs typically held by college graduates—the same workers worried AI will replace them.