Shifting work values and job rewards in the U.S.: how the relationship between work values and job rewards influences job satisfaction

Job satisfaction levels have remained consistent over time despite changes in the rewards that are available to workers and shifting work values. Using three waves of General Social Survey data, differences in work values and the perceived reception of job rewards among employees are examined for extrinsic, intrinsic, and people-oriented aspects of jobs. In an effort to further understand the dynamic between work values and job rewards, and how that dynamic relates to job satisfaction, values-rewards groups are created and ordinal logistic regression is used to evaluate how workers valuation of their jobs and the rewards they are able to attain influence their levels of job satisfaction. Findings indicate that rewards are important, regardless of whether or not workers value them, for increasing job satisfaction. Men and workers with more education are the least satisfied.