The relationship between pay and job satisfaction: A meta-analysis of the literature

Timothy A. Judge; Ronald F. Piccolo; Nathan P. Podsakoff; John C. Shaw; Bruce L. Rich

doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2010.04.002

The relationship between pay and job satisfaction: A meta-analysis of the literature

Timothy A. Judge, Ronald F. Piccolo, Nathan P. Podsakoff, John C. Shaw, Bruce L. Rich

Management and Organizations

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

400 Scopus citations

Abstract

Whereas the motivational aspects of pay are well-documented, the notion that high pay leads to high levels of satisfaction is not without debate. The current study used meta-analysis to estimate the population correlation between pay level and measures of pay and job satisfaction. Cumulating across 115 correlations from 92 independent samples, results suggested that pay level was correlated .15 with job satisfaction and .23 with pay satisfaction. Various moderators of the relationship were investigated. Despite the popular theorizing, results suggest that pay level is only marginally related to satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	157-167
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Vocational Behavior
Volume	77
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2010.04.002
State	Published - Oct 2010

Keywords

Compensation
Earnings
Job satisfaction
Pay
Pay satisfaction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Education
Applied Psychology
Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Life-span and Life-course Studies

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10.1016/j.jvb.2010.04.002

Cite this

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abstract = "Whereas the motivational aspects of pay are well-documented, the notion that high pay leads to high levels of satisfaction is not without debate. The current study used meta-analysis to estimate the population correlation between pay level and measures of pay and job satisfaction. Cumulating across 115 correlations from 92 independent samples, results suggested that pay level was correlated .15 with job satisfaction and .23 with pay satisfaction. Various moderators of the relationship were investigated. Despite the popular theorizing, results suggest that pay level is only marginally related to satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.",

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AU - Shaw, John C.

AU - Rich, Bruce L.

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AB - Whereas the motivational aspects of pay are well-documented, the notion that high pay leads to high levels of satisfaction is not without debate. The current study used meta-analysis to estimate the population correlation between pay level and measures of pay and job satisfaction. Cumulating across 115 correlations from 92 independent samples, results suggested that pay level was correlated .15 with job satisfaction and .23 with pay satisfaction. Various moderators of the relationship were investigated. Despite the popular theorizing, results suggest that pay level is only marginally related to satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

KW - Compensation

KW - Earnings

KW - Job satisfaction

KW - Pay

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The relationship between pay and job satisfaction: A meta-analysis of the literature

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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