STM Blog
Less Than Half of U.S. Workers Have Quality Jobs, Landmark Study Reveals
Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by Daily News Staff
New research exposes a hidden crisis in America’s workforce—and what it means for businesses and workers alike
Less Than Half of U.S. Workers Have Quality Jobs, Landmark Study Reveals
When we talk about the health of the economy, we usually focus on unemployment rates and wage growth. But a groundbreaking new study suggests we’ve been missing the bigger picture—and the reality is more troubling than the headlines suggest.
The American Job Quality Study (AJQS), a collaboration between Jobs for the Future, The Families & Workers Fund, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, and Gallup, surveyed more than 18,000 workers across the country. The findings paint a stark picture: only four in 10 U.S. workers have jobs that meet basic standards of quality.
What Makes a “Quality Job”?
The study defines a quality job as one that meets minimum thresholds in at least three of five critical dimensions:
- Financial well-being – earning enough to live comfortably
- Workplace culture and safety – feeling respected and secure
- Growth and development opportunities – access to training and advancement
- Agency and voice – having input on decisions that affect your work
- Work structure and autonomy – control over how and when you work
These aren’t luxuries. They’re the fundamentals that research shows drive both employee satisfaction and business success.
The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story
The study’s findings reveal deep inequities and widespread challenges:
Financial Strain Is Real
Nearly three in 10 employees say they’re “just getting by” or “finding it difficult to get by.” Another 43% are merely “doing okay.” Only 27% report living comfortably. Perhaps most striking: half of all employees earn at or below 300% of the federal poverty line for a family of two.
The Quality Gap Isn’t Equal
Access to quality jobs varies dramatically across demographics and geography. Men are significantly more likely than women to hold quality jobs (45% vs. 34%). Regional differences are notable too—44% of workers in the West have quality jobs, compared to just 36% in the Midwest.
Interestingly, non-W-2 workers—independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and informal workers—fare slightly better than traditional employees, with 46% in quality jobs compared to 39% of W-2 employees.
Respect Without Voice
While 83% of workers feel respected by colleagues and customers, there’s a disconnect when it comes to having a say in their work lives. Nearly seven in 10 employees believe they have less influence than they should over their pay and benefits. More than half want more input on technology adoption, and nearly half feel they lack sufficient say over their working conditions.
Schedule Instability Creates Stress
Most workers (71%) report having autonomy over how they do their work. But more than half lack control over whenthey work, dealing with unpredictable and unstable schedules—a major driver of stress and disengagement.
Training Gaps Persist
Only about half of employees participated in on-the-job training or education programs in the past year. Those with more formal education and those at larger organizations are most likely to receive development opportunities, widening the gap for workers who might benefit most.
Why This Matters—For Everyone
“Traditional labor statistics track how many people are employed and what they earn—but they don’t capture the aspects of work that drive employee and business success,” said Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future.
The consequences of low job quality ripple outward. Workers in quality jobs report dramatically higher job satisfaction (58% vs. 23% for those in lower-quality jobs), better health, and greater overall life satisfaction. For businesses, this translates to lower turnover, higher productivity, and stronger performance.
“Companies that invest in quality jobs tend to experience increased employee retention, productivity, and innovation,” noted Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Families and Workers Fund.
A New Way to Measure What Matters
Former U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erica Groshen, now a Research Fellow at the Upjohn Institute, emphasized the importance of looking beyond traditional metrics: “The gap between what labor market data tells us and what workers are experiencing has only become clearer in recent years. The American Job Quality Study represents an effort to close that gap.”
Stephanie Marken, Senior Partner at Gallup, put it simply: “Counting jobs is no longer enough. Workers in quality jobs aren’t just more satisfied, they’re also healthier, more engaged, and more productive. Improving job quality isn’t only the right thing for workers; it’s a smart investment in stronger businesses and a more resilient economy.”
What Comes Next
The study’s data set and methodology are now publicly available, offering researchers, policymakers, and business leaders a new tool to understand and improve working conditions across America.
For business leaders, the message is clear: job quality isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive advantage. For policymakers, the data provides a roadmap for targeted interventions that can strengthen communities and drive inclusive economic growth.
And for workers? This study validates what millions already know from experience: having a job isn’t the same as having a good job. The question now is whether we’re ready to do something about it.
The full findings from the American Job Quality Study are available at gallup.com/analytics/691241/american-job-quality-study.aspx.
SOURCE JFF
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Urbanism
LA Metro’s D Line Extension Phase 1 Officially Opens, Bringing Subway Service to Mid-Wilshire and Beverly Hills
LA Metro’s D Line Extension: LA Metro officially opens Phase 1 of the D Line Subway Extension, connecting Downtown Los Angeles, Mid-Wilshire, and Beverly Hills with three new underground stations.
The future of transportation in Los Angeles has officially arrived.
LA Metro’s D Line Extension Phase 1 Officially Opens
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) officially opened Section 1 of the long-awaited D Line Subway Extension on May 8, 2026, expanding underground rail service westward through the historic Mid-Wilshire corridor and into Beverly Hills.
The 3.92-mile extension is one of Metro’s most ambitious transit infrastructure projects and marks a major milestone in Los Angeles public transportation. The new section extends subway service beyond the current Wilshire/Western station in Koreatown and introduces three new underground stations:
- Wilshire/La Brea
- Wilshire/Fairfax
- Wilshire/La Cienega
The expansion is part of Metro’s larger “Twenty-Eight by ’28” initiative designed to improve mobility across the region ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills in About 20 Minutes
With the extension now open, riders can travel from Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills in approximately 20 minutes with no transfers required.
The D Line extension is expected to significantly improve travel along the heavily congested Wilshire Boulevard corridor, offering commuters, visitors and residents a faster and more reliable alternative to driving.
“Traveling through Mid-Wilshire to experience the culture, cuisine and commerce across diverse neighborhoods will be easier, faster and more accessible,” said Fernando Dutra, Metro Board Chair and City of Whittier Council Member.
Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins also highlighted the importance of the project in connecting Angelenos to some of the city’s most iconic destinations.
“Angelenos and visitors alike will love the extended service from Downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills, delivering greater access to the iconic and culturally diverse communities, institutions and destinations that define the deep history along Wilshire Boulevard,” Wiggins said.
New Stations Connect Riders to Cultural Landmarks
Wilshire/La Brea Station
Located near Hancock Park and the western edge of Koreatown, the station provides access to cultural and entertainment destinations including:
- Korean Cultural Center
- Marciano Art Foundation
- Ebell Theater
- Popular restaurants including Republique and Sycamore Kitchen
Wilshire/Fairfax Station
Known as the heart of Museum Row, this station serves some of Los Angeles’ most recognizable cultural institutions and attractions, including:
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
- Petersen Automotive Museum
- La Brea Tar Pits
- The Grove
- Original Farmers Market
The station also connects neighborhoods including Little Ethiopia, Park La Brea and the historic Fairfax District.
Wilshire/La Cienega Station
Serving as the eastern gateway to Beverly Hills, the station provides convenient access to Restaurant Row and destinations including the Beverly Center.
A Major Milestone for Los Angeles Transit
The D Line extension has been decades in the making and is widely considered one of the most important transit projects in Los Angeles history.
The project was funded primarily through Measure R, the voter-approved transportation sales tax passed in 2008, along with substantial federal funding support that included:
- $1.25 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA)
- $66.4 million supplemental New Starts funding
- $749.3 million TIFIA loan
All three stations feature modern amenities including public artwork, enhanced lighting, cell phone service, bicycle hubs and improved pedestrian access.
Metro officials hope the extension will encourage more residents and visitors to use public transportation while helping reduce roadway congestion ahead of major international events scheduled for Los Angeles later this decade.
What’s Next for the D Line?
Construction is already underway on future phases of the D Line extension.
Phase 2 will continue west into Beverly Hills and Century City, while Phase 3 will eventually extend subway service to UCLA and the West Los Angeles VA campus.
Once completed, the D Line will provide a direct subway connection between Downtown Los Angeles and the Westside, dramatically reshaping mobility across one of Southern California’s busiest corridors.
Learn More
For official project details and station information, visit:
Metro D Line Opening Information
Stay connected with STM Daily News for the latest updates on Los Angeles transportation, Metro expansion projects, infrastructure developments, local news, technology, culture, and more. Visit STM Daily News for breaking stories, in-depth coverage, and exclusive content from across Southern California and beyond.
Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States, the holiday has become a celebration of Mexican-American culture and heritage, often involving parades, parties, and traditional foods such as tacos and margaritas.
How will you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo
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Blog
The Substitute Teacher Who Wanted Blueprints of Our House
A fifth-grade assignment took a strange turn when a substitute teacher asked students to draw schematics of their homes. What followed — a wildly fictional floor plan and a priceless reaction from my mom — turned into one of my funniest childhood memories.
The Substitute Teacher Who Wanted Blueprints of Our House
Elementary school memories tend to blend together — cafeteria pizza, playground arguments, the eternal struggle of times tables — but every once in a while, something happens that sticks with you for life. For me, that moment came in the fifth grade during a week when our regular teacher was out, and we cycled through substitute teachers like we were testing models for durability.
By midweek, in walked a substitute with a mysterious, slightly intense energy — the kind of vibe that suggested he either meditated at dawn or worked a graveyard shift doing something he couldn’t talk about. We settled into our seats, expecting worksheets or quiet reading time.
But nope.
He had other plans.
“Today,” he announced, “we’re going to draw schematics of our houses.”
Schematics. Not drawings. Not little houses with smoke coming out of the chimney. Actual blueprint-style schematics. He wanted the layout of our bedrooms, our parents’ rooms, and where the pets slept. Every detail.
Now, to be fair, Highlights Magazine did have a feature that month teaching kids how to draw floor plans. So maybe he was just a bit overenthusiastic about cross-curricular learning. Or maybe — and this is my completely rhetorical adult theory — he worked the graveyard shift as a cat burglar gathering intel between heists. Just moonlighting between blueprints.
While the rest of the class tried their best to recreate their actual homes, my imagination sprinted in a totally different direction. The house I drew had:
- A massive master bedroom with an oversized bathroom for my parents
- Separate bedrooms for us kids on the opposite side of the house
- A kitchen placed right in the center like a command center
- And the dog — the true VIP — had a luxurious two-story doghouse
I had basically created a dream home designed by a 10-year-old watching too much Fantasy Homes by the Yard.
Later that day, my mom asked the usual question: “So, what did you guys do today?”
“We drew schematics of our house,” I said casually.
The look on her face was instant and intense. She wasn’t panicked, but there was definitely a “Why does a substitute teacher need to know the exact layout of my home?” expression happening. Parental instincts activated.
But then I showed her my diagram.
She stared at it. Blinked. Then sighed with massive relief.
“This isn’t our house,” she said.
“Nope! I made it up,” I replied proudly.
Her shoulders relaxed so much she probably lost five pounds of tension in one instant. If the substitute was secretly planning a heist, my masterpiece of misinformation would have sent him to the wrong house entirely.
Looking back, the whole moment feels like a sitcom setup — a mysterious substitute collecting “house schematics,” me creating a completely fictional piece of architecture, and my mom going on a full emotional journey in under 30 seconds.
Maybe he was just excited about the Highlights Magazine floor-plan activity. Or maybe — just maybe — he moonlighted in cat burglary. We’ll never know.
But if he was, I like to think I threw him completely off the scent.
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