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The Education-Job Satisfaction Paradox in the Public Sector

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Pita

    (Universidad de Salamanca)

  • Ramón J. Torregrosa

    (Universidad de Salamanca)

Abstract

We compare the self-reported satisfaction of workers, employed in the private and the public sectors across European countries, with their working conditions and pay and have reached a controversial conclusion. Although we have found there are more educated workers in the public sector than in the private sector, higher-educated workers report lower levels of satisfaction with their working conditions and income when employed in the public sector, which was the opposite for less educated workers employed in this same sector. In contrast, we found a positive association between education and job satisfaction for workers employed in the private sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Pita & Ramón J. Torregrosa, 2023. "The Education-Job Satisfaction Paradox in the Public Sector," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1717-1735, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:porgrv:v:23:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11115-023-00726-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11115-023-00726-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; Job satisfaction; Public sector; Private sector; Balanced worth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • H83 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Public Administration

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