Business

76% Are Satisfied With Their Current Job

Most working Americans have been with the same company for at least five years and remain satisfied with their current employment situation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of Employed Adults are at least somewhat satisfied with their current job, including 31% who are Very Satisfied.  Twenty-two percent (22%) are unsatisfied, but that includes just three percent (3%) who are Not At All Satisfied with their current employer.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 602 Employed Adults was conducted on June 7-8, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

66% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Most working Americans consider themselves part of the middle class, while the fewest in a year now view themselves as wealthy. Those who feel they are among the working poor remain at an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-thirds (66%) of Employed Adults consider themselves middle class. Just one percent (1%) now consider themselves wealthy, the lowest finding since May 2012. But 22% now describe themselves as upper middle class, the highest since then. Only eight percent (8%) regard themselves as among the working poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 644 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

80% Say It Will Be Difficult for Young People To Find Summer Jobs

Most Americans think it is important for young people to have a job during their summer break from school, but they also recognize that may be easier said than done. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 94% of American Adults believe it’s at least somewhat important for young people to have jobs during the summer when they are out of school, including 66% who feel it’s Very Important.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 30-31, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted.

68% Say Rewarding Hard Work More Important Than Income Equality

In the minds of most voters, a fair economy will reward those who work hard and are successful.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) say rewarding hard work is a top priority even if it leads to big differences between rich and poor. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of Likely U.S. Voters believe insuring equality of income and wealth is more important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 31-June 1, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

79% Say It Will Be Their Choice to Leave Current Job

A plurality of workers plan on staying with their current company for at least five years, but when they do leave, most say it will be on their terms.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Employed Adults intend to work for their current employer for more than five years, down from 40% in March and the lowest since November 2012. Twenty-one percent (21%) plan on staying at their current job for one to five years, up from 14% in March and the highest since July. Just seven percent (7%) intend to stay with their current employer for less than a year, but 35% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 644 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

33% Say Now’s a Good Time to Sell a Home in Their Area

As confidence among homeowners improves, more Americans than ever say now is a good time for someone to sell a house where they live.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of U.S. Adults believe now is a good time for someone in their area to sell a home. That’s up three points from last month and the highest level measured in more than four years of regular tracking. But 45% still say now is not the time to sell a home in their area. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 24-25, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New High: 70% Think Struggling Homeowners Should Downsize

More Americans than ever believe that homeowners who can’t afford their mortgage payments should downsize rather than receive assistance from the government.

Just 18% of American Adults believe that if someone can’t afford his or her mortgage payments, it’s better for the government to assist in making those payments, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy percent (70%) believe those struggling homeowners should sell their homes and buy less expensive ones. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 24-25, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

73% Look Forward to Going to Work

Most employed Americans look favorably on the balance between work and their personal lives and generally look forward to their workday. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Working Adults rate the balance in their lives between work, family and friends as good or excellent.  Only seven percent (7%) rate this balance as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

60% Say Their Home Is Worth More Than What They Still Owe

Sixty percent (60%) of U.S. homeowners now say their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage. That’s the highest finding so far this year and ties a high reached only once before in four years of regular surveying.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% still say they owe more than their home is worth. That’s unchanged from April and nearly identical to a year ago.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 697 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on May 24-25, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

45% Favor Candidate Who'd Raise Taxes on the Rich Over One Opposed to Tax Hikes

Voters generally believe tax increases hurt the economy, but they’re slightly more inclined to vote for a candidate who would raise taxes only on the wealthy over one who would oppose all tax increases. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for a candidate who would raise taxes only on the rich. Forty-one percent (41%) would vote for a candidate who promised to oppose all tax hikes instead. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 21-22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

50% Think Tax Increases Hurt Economy

Voters continue to believe raising taxes and increasing government spending are bad for the economy, but they still expect both to go up under President Obama. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 31% of Likely U.S. Voters say that, generally speaking, increases in government spending help the economy.  Forty-seven percent (47%) believe spending increases hurt the economy. Twelve percent (12%) think they have no impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 21-22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Working Americans Like Their Bosses, Coworkers

Most workers give their bosses top marks and feel good about the relationships they have with their coworkers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of Working Adults give their boss or supervisor good or excellent marks. Just nine percent (9%) rate their boss as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

73% Expect to Pay More for Groceries

The Federal Reserve Board continues to work hard at keeping the U.S. inflation rate around two percent, but most Americans lack confidence in the Fed's efforts and still say they are spending more on groceries compared to a year ago. Most also expect those prices to keep going up.

Eighty-three percent (83%) of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries now than they were a year ago, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  This figure shows little change from most surveys conducted since April 2009. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 16-17, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

33% Work More Than 40 Hours A Week

A sizable number of Americans work more than 40 hours a week, and only half of adults are now happy with the hours they work.

Just 31% of working Americans now say they work a 40-hour week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-three percent (33%) say they put in more than 40 hours a week on the job, including 11% who work more than 50 hours weekly.

Thirty-four percent (34%) of employed adults work less than 40 hours weekly, with six percent (6%) who put in less than 20 hours on the job. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 621 Employed Adults was conducted on May 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

91% Would Stay At Job They Love Over One That Pays More

The old adage, “Choose the job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” is one many American workers take seriously. An overwhelming majority would stick with a job they love over one they hate that offers a bigger paycheck.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 91% of Employed Adults say that, if given the choice, they would stay with the job they love over another job they’d hate that pays 10% more money. Just nine percent (9%) would opt for the job that pays more. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 14-15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Think Interest Rates Will Be Higher In A Year

Few Americans say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago, but many expect that to change moving forward.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults believe interest rates will be higher a year from today. Just seven percent (7%) expect rates to be lower, while 37% say they’ll be about the same. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 16-17, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

64% Are Generally Happy To Say Where They Work

Most Americans let their friends know where they work and are happy to tell them.

When they meet someone new who wants to know more about them, 61% of working Americans typically say something about their job. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% don’t mention their job. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 14-15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

48% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the U.S. banking system is up from last month but still well below where it was five years ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes only 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-eight percent (48%) lack confidence in the banking system, with 12% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (To see survey question wording,click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 16-17, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

58% Would Keep Working After Receiving Small Fortune

Many Americans rushed to buy lottery tickets late last week as the Powerball jackpot reached $590.5 million, one of the largest in history. But most say that even if they received a small fortune, they’d keep working.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% of Employed Adults would continue to work even if they were left a small fortune so that they could make the same amount of money without working. That includes 41% who would stay at their current job and another 17% who would find a new job. Thirty-five percent (35%) would quit working and retire. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 14-15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Spend Little or No Social Time With Work Colleagues

Working adults seem to enjoy a life away from the job even when they're out with their co-workers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of Employed Adults rarely or never get together with co-workers for social events, while another 36% say they do so only occasionally. Just 13% socialize with colleagues outside of the workplace at least once a month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 620 Employed Adults was conducted on May 14-15, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.