The surprising truth about why some people have better jobs than others

"For example, jobs that pay well, offer stability, and provide opportunities for growth are almost universally considered better. A tenured professorship, a senior engineering role at a reputable company, or a stable medical position all combine financial security with long-term prospects and prestige. In contrast, poorly paid, insecure, or dead-end roles (like gig work with no benefits or exploitative manual labor with long brutal shifts and an alienating experience) are widely viewed as worse, even if a few individuals might value their flexibility or simplicity."

"Then there's autonomy. Jobs that grant people a degree of control over how and when they work (e.g., creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and researchers) tend to score higher on satisfaction than those defined by micromanagement or rigid supervision. Autonomy is a proxy for trust and respect, and it correlates strongly with both engagement and mental health. Few people dream of jobs where every move is monitored, and most aspire to roles where they can think, decide, and act freely."

Job quality depends on individual preferences but also on generalizable parameters. Higher pay, stability, growth opportunities, and prestige make roles broadly preferable. Examples include tenured professorships, senior engineering positions, and stable medical roles that combine financial security with long-term prospects. Poorly paid, insecure, or dead-end jobs such as unbenefited gig work or exploitative manual labor are widely seen as worse despite occasional appeals like flexibility. Autonomy in how and when work is done increases satisfaction and signals trust and respect. Meaningful purpose in work enhances fulfillment compared with roles that feel purely transactional or pointless.

Read at Fast Company